Man, 32, Living with ‘Backward Knees’ Finds Joys Through Music, Dancing: ‘I Like Being Me’ (Exclusive)

Vanessa EtienneWed, August 12, 2026 at 7:29 PM UTC

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HersonCredit: TLC -

Herson Steven Leon Valdes lives with a rare condition affecting his joints but finds joy in music and dancing

His girlfriend Yorelis supports him through his challenges and helps him stay positive despite his physical limitations

The season finale of Most Extreme Humans featuring Herson airs Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC

A Colombian man born with a rare condition that causes “backward knees” is committed to living his life to the fullest.

In PEOPLE’s exclusive clip from the upcoming episode of TLC’s Most Extreme Humans, Herson Steven Leon Valdes — a 32-year-old from Medellin, Colombia — opens up about living with congenital multiple arthrogryposis. The rare condition, which occurs in 1 in 3,000 births, affects the structure and mobility of the joints.

For Herson, he primarily navigates “backward knees,” which refers to the severe knee hyperextension caused by the disorder.

“I like being me,” he says. “Charismatic, cheerful, loud. Being crazy, that’s me.”

In the clip, Herson is all smiles while in town dancing along to the music played by street performers. He explains that while living with his condition, he finds joy in music.

“Something I really love to do is dancing. To have a good time, to enjoy yourself, to feel it,” he says. “So, if I have a problem or something I listen to music. It makes me forget about that.”

“But lately, I’ve been doing it less because I get really tired,” he adds. “My condition affects me because my feet are turned inward and as I gain more weight, my feet are what bears my weight. And over time the deformity gets worse. My feet are going to keep bending more and more to the point where maybe I won’t be able to walk.”

Herson’s legs during a doctor’s visitCredit: TLC

Herson’s girlfriend, Yorelis, then says that even with his difficulties, he’s always maintained a positive attitude.

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“He is always a very cheerful person. That is Herson. He radiates a lot of joy,” she says.

After Herson finishes dancing, the couple then went for a walk together through town, something that has gotten more challenging for him over the years. Doctors have said that after years of inversion, he has been walking on dislocated knees, which may require surgery.

“I used to walk a lot before. Now I walk 100 meters and I’m already breathless,” he explains in a confessional. “Most of all my feet are hurting a lot.”

Herson and his girlfriend Yorelis meeting with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Miguel GalbanCredit: TLC

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Shortly after beginning their walk, Herson tells Yorelis that he’s getting tired. Without question, she puts him on her back to carry him the rest of the way.

“Since the first moment I met her, I fell in love with her,” he says of his girlfriend. “Thank God I found a good woman. I feel very happy and great when I’m with her.”

The season finale of Most Extreme Humans airs Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”