#105 Michael Klim - Overcoming Loss of Identity and Taking On the Race of His Life

Performance Intelligence Podcast

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In this episode we dive deep with Australian swimming legend, Michael Klim! 🏅
In 17 years of world-class swimming, Michael broke 21 world records and competed in three Olympic Games, winning six medals, including two golds. Since 2020, Michael has been in the fight of his life, living with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disorder that causes chronic pain, loss of sensation, and muscle weakness, particularly in his legs.

Michael has just released a new book called Klim, sharing his journey of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. And it’s not the normal type of book an athlete writes when they finish competing – it is deep, it is reflective, it is sometimes emotional, it is raw, it is real. Michael told me writing this book has been a big part of his healing journey. "I was in denial about what I was about to embark on and...a sense of grief because I was losing an identity that was probably very dear to me and one that I relied on...my entire life...that was slowly being taken away..."

Michael recently founded the Klim Foundation to support others with CIDP and to promote research for new treatments. He lives in Bali with his partner Michelle and their three children, Stella, Rocco, and Frankie.

In this episode Andrew and Michael discuss:

4:20 The unexpected turn Michael’s life has taken since 2020, an explanation of CIPD and Michael’s life up until his diagnosis.

11:50 Some of Michael’s swimming regrets and how he took some of the wrong lessons into business, how Michael’s Dad influenced his life and why Michael felt out of place as a child.

17:40 Michael’s Dad’s way of dealing with bullies, how Michael feels about some of his missed gold medal chances and the infamous Daniel Kowalski and Kieren Perkins story from Michael’s perspective.

26:20 How Michael came about his diagnosis and learned to live with it, how Michael dealt with the loss of his physicality based identity and some of the ways Michael rebuilt his identity.

39:30 How Michael wrote his book with the help of a journalist, talking to the Australian Olympic team before Paris and learning to put your hand up and ask for help.

51:30 What Michael sees when he looks in the mirror, how Michael accepted the change in his future and a touching moment Michael had teaching children at his swim school.

58:15 Michael finding his purpose, the wheel of wellbeing and what Michael would say to someone going through similar challenges.

1:06:25 How Michael rebuilt his connection with his kids, where Michael sees himself in 5 years and where you can find him.

You can find Michael at his TGI Sport Profile: https://tgisport.com.au/talent/michael-klim/
At his Website: https://www.michaelklim.com/
Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelklim1/?hl=en

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