Mike Maldonado - Beating Cancer and Diabetes

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Mike Maldonado - Beating Cancer and Diabetes

Mike Maldonado

A True Survivor.
Diabetes, Cancer & Heart Disease could not stop him!
Born in 1990, from Los Angeles. 

Mike Biceps Flexing Freak Athletiq

Mike Maldonado has been a type 1 diabetic since the age of four. Unlike most children his age, Mike depended on a strict diet, which prevented him from eating snacks or sweets.

He lived a normal life like most kids. That is.. until he fell into a diabetic coma at the age of thirteen. Mike’s glucose levels rose too high and he fell into a Hyperglycemic coma.

Upon waking up, Mike went through a few days of rehabilitation to learn how to use all his motor skills again. Doctors stated that he needed to become more physically active to avoid facing dialysis treatments in the future.

By the age of fifteen Mike grew an obsession with lifting weights. Despite doctors saying that it would be difficult for him to gain any real muscle mass, Mike pursued his fitness journey.

Over the next three years Mike was able to develop and grow his body from a small 90lb kid into a fit 150lb teen bodybuilder, awarding him a transformation award from Bodybuilding.com.

By the age of nineteen things suddenly took a turn for the worse. Mike had developed a horrific cough and began noticing multiple lumps around his neck and chest. By the time Mike decided to go to the doctor he had lost 50lbs and was nearly bedridden.

After multiple X-Rays, doctors performed a biopsy on his neck and discovered that he had stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Cancer). The cancer was so advanced that it metastasized and formed tumors around his neck, chest, and lunges.

Doctors predicted that with intensive chemotherapy they would be able to prolong his life by 2 years.

Faced with the reality of death Mike decided to fight back and push through all odds. Over the next six months he did a series of chemotherapy treatments weekly but the tumors continued to grow. The next three months doctors performed a series of radiation treatments that were daily. Lastly, he underwent a stem cell transplant and was expected to recover over the course of 12-24 months.

Miraculously his body began to reproduce clean cancer free cells 8 days later.

After winning his battle with cancer, Mike now faces heart complications and suffers from a diminished right lunge that alters his performance.

Despite all the challenges and obstacles fitness has always empowered him to keep pushing and never give up.

Mike Transformation Freak Athletiq

Mike states that “working out is more than just lifting weights, it’s about connecting your mind and body.” Life can throw numerous curveballs but the ultimate challenge is the ability to keep moving forward.

“The best positive message I can send to those that are also struggling no matter what the cause may be, is to have a healthy mindset. Your mind can overcome any obstacle and your body can overcome anything you set your mind to” says Mike.

Everyone has a story to tell, no matter how big or how small we all have something in common; change!

Today Mike continues to live his passion and maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. Each and every day we need to feel the hunger and strive to be the best that we can be! 

Falling down is the first step, getting back up is what truly defines hard work and determination.

Mike Spartan Race Freak Athletiq




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3 Responses

ydmbgobjzv
ydmbgobjzv

March 25, 2021

Muchas gracias. ?Como puedo iniciar sesion?

Kevin Stuart
Kevin Stuart

July 02, 2020

So amazed to see your vid. I posted it on facebook 4 years ago and eanted to see how you are getting in. So am happy to see this website. Thank you for being an inspiration. I worl with people who are going through bad times i will show them the vid but wanted to see an update on your now. 🙏🏾

Dave
Dave

October 08, 2017

Inspiring story bro. Keep it Up! I have type 1 Diabetes and love training to stay fit. Reading this motivates me to step it up a notch!

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