Living With Someone Else’s Lungs | Jess Avenell’s Incredible Story

What do you do with a second chance at life when somebody else made that second chance possible?

In this episode of the Forking Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Jess Avenell — The Transplant Coach — to hear the extraordinary story behind her double lung transplant.

Jess was just 21 when she was diagnosed with a rare lung disease. She was young, fit and training for a half Ironman when she began noticing that something wasn't right. Eventually, she was confronted with the devastating possibility that she might not make it to 30.

Instead of putting life on hold, Jess booked a one-way ticket to the Greek Islands, spent years living and working overseas, built her career and kept pushing forward — even as breathing became increasingly difficult. Eventually, she required full-time oxygen and had to plan something as simple as her commute around whether she'd physically be able to walk up a ramp.

Then came the call that changed everything.

After an intensive transplant assessment and roughly 60 days on the waiting list, Jess received a double lung transplant in 2020. But receiving new lungs wasn't the end of her journey — in many ways, it was the beginning.

Jess opens up about the gratitude she feels toward her donor and their family, the emotional reality of living with donated organs, transplant recovery, immunosuppression, relationships, identity and what happens when everyone around you thinks you're “fixed” — but you know you've come out the other side as a different person.

Today, Jess uses her experience as The Transplant Coach, helping others focus not simply on what they can't do after transplant, but on how they can meaningfully move forward and make the most of the life they've been given.

And this is only Part 1.

In the next episode, Jess joins Simon and Kate again to dive deeper into life after transplant, food, health and the practical strategies she now shares with others.

Connect with Jess Avenell — The Transplant Coach:

Facebook: Jess Avenell – The Transplant Coach
https://www.facebook.com/share/1dMAFKB9Xt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Instagram: @the_transplantcoach

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessavenell

Website:
www.thetransplantcoach.nz

YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@the_transplantcoach?si=d9Bslgu2ezFHu_e_

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