NFL Veteran Leonard Wheeler on Beating Prostate Cancer and Why Men Must Stop Waiting

NFL veteran Leonard Wheeler opens up about his prostate cancer journey, from early PSA screening to diagnosis and the treatment decision that preserved both his health and quality of life.

He talks about conversations with family, facing fear, recovery, and why men must start speaking openly about prostate cancer.Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Opening: No signs, just rising PSA trends

01:02 – Meet Leonard Wheeler: NFL career and life after football

05:11 – PSA checks, biopsy, and the moment fear set in

08:55 – Talking with family: wife, children, and support system

13:00 – Shame, silence, and why men struggle to share health news

17:05 – From prostatectomy options to learning about ablation

22:23 – Fear of side effects: continence, intimacy, and identity

25:04 – A friend introduces the idea of focal therapy

27:10 – Why a minimally invasive procedure became the choice

30:45 – Recovery: catheter, walking miles, and regaining confidence

33:12 – Faith, friends, and a dream of advocacy

36:00 – Explaining the procedure step by step

42:30 – Quality-of-life focus: protecting intimacy and dignity

46:14 – Family, prayer circles, and the role of support networks

49:11 – Why men do not talk about prostate cancer and why they must

52:24 – Creating a movement: awareness, ribbons, and brotherhood

55:07 – Leonard’s book Beyond the Locker Room and his mission

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