A Childhood Promise That Shaped Mark Maselli’s Life

Sometimes the most powerful change in life doesn’t begin with a diagnosis, a moment, or even a turning point.

Sometimes it begins with a decision.

When Mark Maselli was just five years old, he watched his grandmother endure dialysis treatments. The machines, the hospital visits, and the exhaustion that came with illness made a lasting impression on him. Like many children trying to make sense of something difficult, he made a quiet promise to himself in that moment:

That will never be me.

Of course, when you’re five years old, you don’t yet understand the complicated ways life unfolds.

Years later, Mark learned that the same genetic condition that affected his grandmother—polycystic kidney disease—had found its way into his own life.

At that moment, he had a choice.

He could accept the narrative that had already shaped generations before him, or he could try to write a different ending.

Mark chose the second option.

How Mindset Changed Mark Maselli’s Kidney Transplant Journey

Polycystic kidney disease slowly damages the kidneys over time. For many people, it eventually leads to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a transplant.

When Mark’s kidney function dropped to 24 percent, the reality of that future began to loom large. Doctors started talking about dialysis. The transplant list in California, where he lives, could take eight to ten years.

But Mark’s mindset was different.

He didn’t see his situation as the end of something. Instead, he saw it as a challenge to be met with discipline, determination, and action.

He changed his diet, focused on physical health and worked to extend the life of his kidneys for as long as possible.

And when the disease progressed to the point where dialysis became a real conversation, Mark did something bold.

He asked for help.

The Courage to Put Your Story Out Into the World

Mark shared a post on Facebook explaining his situation and his need for a kidney donor.

What happened next was extraordinary.

Within a single month, three potential donors stepped forward willing to be tested for compatibility. The willingness of people to consider giving such a profound gift speaks to something deeply human—our capacity to care for one another.

But the story took an even more unexpected turn.

Through a DNA search just two years earlier, Mark had discovered a sister he didn’t know he had. Her name was Bonnie. And somehow, the sister he had only recently found turned out to be the perfect donor match.

In November of 2023, Bonnie gave Mark the ultimate gift: a second chance at life.

What Happens When You Decide Life Is Worth Fighting For

Waking up from transplant surgery, Mark described feeling like a completely different person.

For years, his body had been working against him. Suddenly, it was working with him again.

The experience forced him to ask a question that many people face after surviving something life-altering:

What do I do with this new life I’ve been given?

Mark’s answer was unexpected.

He decided to run a marathon.

Not a 5K. Not a 10K. A full marathon.

Less than a year after receiving his kidney transplant, Mark crossed the finish line of the Las Vegas Marathon—just 346 days after surgery.

For someone who once said he wasn’t even a runner, the moment represented something far greater than athletic achievement.

It was proof that the limits we place on ourselves are often far smaller than what is actually possible.

The Maselli Mindset

Mark now shares his philosophy through speaking, coaching, and his book The Overcomer’s Journey. Through what he calls The Maselli Mindset, he encourages people to look at adversity through a different lens.

Life will always bring challenges. That part is unavoidable.

What we choose to do next—that’s where the real power lies.

His approach centers on three core ideas:

• Vision: Knowing what kind of life you want to create
• Discipline: Taking consistent action toward that vision
• Resilience: Continuing forward even when the path becomes difficult

These ideas may sound simple, but Mark’s story reminds us that simple doesn’t mean easy.

It means possible.

Energy, Intention, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

One of the most fascinating parts of Mark’s journey is how much of it began in the mind.

Before the transplant.
Before the marathon.
Before the book.

There was a decision.

A decision not to accept the story that seemed inevitable.

When we talk about “putting out the right energy,” it’s easy to imagine something abstract or mystical. But often it’s much more grounded than that.

Energy is focus.

Energy is intention.

Energy is the quiet determination that says, I’m going to try anyway.

When we change the way we see our circumstances, we begin to change what feels possible within them.

Gratitude as a Way of Seeing

When I asked Mark what makes him smile today, his answer was simple.

Gratitude.

It’s something I’ve heard again and again while working on this podcast. Many people who have faced life’s hardest moments come back to that same word.

Gratitude doesn’t mean life is easy.

It means we choose to notice what still exists within it.

The breath we take.
The people who show up for us.
The unexpected turns that sometimes lead to the greatest gifts.

Gratitude creates space—space to breathe, space to reflect, and space to imagine a future that once felt impossible.

The First Step

One of the most powerful things Mark shared during our conversation was this:

It doesn’t have to be perfect.
You just have to take the first step.

That idea can apply to anything.

Changing your health.
Starting a new path.
Healing from something difficult.
Helping someone else.

The first step rarely looks dramatic. More often, it looks small and uncertain.

But small steps create momentum.

And momentum has a way of rewriting stories.

Mark Maselli’s journey reminds us that even when life changes everything, what happens next is still up to us.

FAQ

What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
PKD is a genetic condition that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, eventually affecting kidney function.

How long does it take to recover from a kidney transplant?
Recovery times vary, but many patients begin rebuilding strength within months after surgery.

Can people run marathons after organ transplant?
Yes. With proper recovery and medical guidance, many transplant recipients return to active lifestyles.