An athletic young Melbourne man has died at just 21 years old from a dangerous muscle condition caused by high-intensity exercise.
Jake Sendler, an amateur MMA fighter and personal trainer who was studying to be a PE teacher, didn’t know he had rhabdomyolysis until it was so severe that he was suddenly rushed to hospital, placed in intensive care and his family were told to say goodbye as doctors did not know if they would be able to save him.
He fought, but tragically, the doctors were right.
After days in an induced coma and going in and out of surgeries, Jake died on March 13 – within two weeks of being hospitalized.
“When we got into the ICU, the doctor said when they opened him up again (in another emergency surgery) there was just too much tissue that had died and there was so much damage, there was nothing more they could do,” Jake’s mom Sharone Sendler told news.com.au.
“I said to him, ‘it’s OK baby, you can rest now, you fought so hard’ and I kissed him on the forehead and he passed away. It was the worst moment of my life.”
The athlete’s mother is determined to raise awareness about the “silent killer” that took her boy to ensure other families “never ever go through pain we felt”.
Rhabdomyolysis, also called “rhabdo”, is a breakdown of muscle tissue, which releases a toxin into the bloodstream and can cause kidney failure.
It can also cause serious problems with the heart and other organs.
Symptoms include muscle pain, exhaustion and dark urine.
For the 21-year-old, muscle soreness did not raise any alarms as he was extremely active and training intensely for an amateur MMA fight.
When he noticed tea-colored urine, he upped his fluids, assuming he was dehydrated.
He was known to be extremely healthy, only eating organic foods.
In a video the day before his fight on March 2 he said he was feeling “amazing”.
“Feeling really good, excited, pumped,” he said.
He was cleared medically to fight and lasted the full three rounds not knowing it would be the last thing he did.
The fight at the Melbourne Pavilion was supposed to be a stepping stone on the road to becoming a professional MMA fighter.
“He sold 60 tickets to family and friends to come watch him,” Sharone said, adding that when he stepped in to the ring he was completely unaware his organs has already started to fail.
“Right up until the end he put his hands up to show the refs he is not out, so he made it through the full three rounds and was helped to walk out of the ring.”
Jake was struggling to breathe and in a lot of pain.
His mother said medics and coaches thought he was dehydrated and had a concussion.
An ambulance was called to take him to hospital, where he would end up spending the last days of his life.
“We’ve had a few days of shock and lots and lots of tears and ‘why?’ and trying to understand like how this could have happened and how no one knows about this (rhabdo) and he didn’t know, and his gym didn’t know and everyone we talk to,” Sharone said.
“It can happen to anyone … had we known about the early signs, Jake could potentially still be here.”
Sharone wants to keep her son’s legacy alive by raising awareness about rhabdo and potentially establishing a foundation.
She said at 42 years old she has a lot of life left to live without her son and wants to make sure she spends that time right.
The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds to help their mission, as well as help cover unexpected costs associated with Jake’s death.
“We’re going to as a family make sure his legacy lives on. We’re going to keep going with his dreams of helping athletes and inspiring youths to be great but also look after themselves because you can’t be great if you’re not here,” Sharone said.
“If he could be here I know he’d be changing lives so we’re going to continue that for him.”
As well as personal training and studying to be a PE teacher, Jake had his Certificate IV in Youth Work and worked with children in addition to training his adult clients.
“I’ve had hundreds of people message me about the shock and how he has touched them and inspired them,” Sharone said.
She wants him to remembered for being a hardworking young man who was “in pursuit of being the best he can”.
The devastated mum described her son as “full of energy” and “the light of the room”.
Road to HEX, the organiser of Jake’s final fight, said he was “a talented athlete and remarkable young man”.
A shared Instagram post from podcast Australian MMA and Jake’s club Mat Masters Academy said he was “a true warrior both in the ring and in life”.
“His generosity, strength, and unwavering support touched all who knew him. Jake’s silent battle with rhabdomyolysis ultimately claimed his life, but his spirit remains unbroken,” the statement said.
“You can honour Jake by raising awareness of this life-threatening condition and supporting his family through donations or by sharing his story. Jake’s legacy lives on in the strength and kindness he shared with the world. Rest in power, Jake. Your fight continues through us.”
