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’

Australian swimming great Michael Klim has revealed how he was forced to rebuild his life – and body – following a shattering medical diagnosis that made him question his self-worth.

Klim, 47, remains one of the nation’s most popular athletes despite retiring from the pool in 2007.

His distinctive appearance made him a fan favourite, and in his heyday the dual Olympic gold medallist managed to grace the cover of a Foo Fighters music CD.

He also once featured on a large billboard next to the iconic Coke sign in Sydney’s Kings Cross for global brand Braun, which to this day Klim finds surreal.

Sadly, in 2020 Klim’s life was upside down.

The freestyle sprinter was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare auto-immune disorder in the arms and legs.

It was a devastating outcome for the man who has long prided himself on being highly active.

Gone were the days of walking without the aid of crutches. Klim also stopped cycling as he feared a lack of strength in his legs.

In 2020, the freestyle sprinter was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare auto-immune disorder in the arms and legs

‘I have always put so much focus on my physicality and, when you remove that and start searching for validation, well, you’ve kind of lost everything,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘My self-worth just hit rock bottom.’

Klim also felt like a failure as a father, as routine activities such as surfing or playing basketball with his son were now near impossible.

Instead the father of three often required assistance for routine life tasks such as navigating a staircase.

Compounding Klim’s misery was being terminated from Milk & Co – the skincare business brand he previously co-founded – with his ex-wife Lindy.

While he later was handed a six-figure payout in the Federal Court, Klim had other matters to focus on, namely back surgeries to help decompress the nerves in his spine.

Additionally, Klim is regularly given intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, which  reduces conditions that attack the body’s immune system. 

‘The physical change [in my life] has been so huge, it is hard to fathom,’ he previously explained.

Klim, 47, remains one of the nation’s most popular athletes even though he retired from the pool in 2007

Retired Aussie swim great Michael Klim credits his partner Michelle Owen for lifting his flagging spirits in recent years

‘[But] I’m focusing on the things that I can do rather than the things that I can’t do.’

Klim has acknowledged at times in recent years he ‘self-medicated’ with alcohol – but after partner Michelle Owen and his parents expressed their collective concern, he shifted his mindset.

He has since channelled his energy into learn-to-swim franchise business Klim Swim, where he continues to reside in Bali.

The Polish born star also launched the Klim Foundation, which aims to generate increased awareness and funding for people diagnosed with CIDP.

‘Most of my [athlete] life was about receiving praise and taking adulation,’ he said.

‘It was all about me. Now it’s about trying to give something back.’