The personal hell Michael Klim has endured as the Aussie Olympian rebuilds his life following shattering medical diagnosis: ‘My self-worth just hit rock bottom’
- Michael Klim’s life was turned upside down in 2020
- Olympic swimmer diagnosed with rare autoimmune disease
- Back surgery and immunoglobulin treatments followed
Australian swimming legend Michael Klim has revealed how he had to rebuild his life and body after receiving a shocking medical diagnosis that left him questioning his self-worth.
Klim, 47, remains one of the country’s most popular athletes despite retiring from swimming in 2007.
His striking appearance made him a fan favourite and in his heyday, the two-time Olympic champion even graced the cover of a Foo Fighters CD.
He also once stood on a large billboard next to the iconic Coca-Cola sign in Sydney’s Kings Cross, for the global brand Braun. Klim still finds it surreal.
Unfortunately, Klim’s life was turned upside down in 2020.
The freestyle sprinter was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disease of the arms and legs.
It was a devastating outcome for the man who had long prided himself on his activeness.
The days of walking without crutches were over. Klim also stopped cycling because he was afraid he would not have enough strength in his legs.
Australian swimming legend Michael Klim has revealed how he was forced to rebuild his life – and body – after a devastating medical diagnosis left him questioning his self-worth
In 2020, the freestyle sprinter was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disease of the arms and legs
“I’ve always put so much emphasis on my physical condition and when you take that away and start looking for validation, you’ve basically lost everything,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“My self-esteem has hit rock bottom.”
Klim also felt like a failed father, as routine activities like surfing or playing basketball with his son became nearly impossible.
Instead, the father of three often needed help with everyday tasks, such as climbing stairs.
Klim’s misery was compounded when he and his ex-wife Lindy were fired from Milk & Co, the skin care brand he co-founded.
Although he was later awarded a six-figure settlement in federal court, Klim had other matters to focus on, namely back surgery to decompress the nerves in his spine.
In addition, Klim receives regular intravenous immunoglobulin treatments, which reduce conditions that attack the body’s immune system.
The physical change [in my life] “The magnitude of it is so vast that it is difficult to comprehend,” he explained earlier.
Klim, 47, is still one of the country’s most popular athletes, even though he retired from swimming in 2007
Retired Australian swimming legend Michael Klim credits his partner Michelle Owen for boosting his flagging spirits in recent years
‘[But] I focus on the things I can do instead of the things I can’t do.’
In recent years, Klim has admitted to sometimes “curing” himself with alcohol. But after his partner Michelle Owen and his parents expressed their shared concerns, he changed his mind.
Since then he has put his energy into the franchise company Klim Swim, which offers swimming lessons. He still lives in Bali.
The Polish-born star also founded the Klim Foundation, which aims to raise awareness and funds for people diagnosed with CIDP.
‘Most of my [athlete] “Life was about receiving praise and receiving admiration,” he said.
“It was all about me. Now it’s about me trying to give something back.”