What would it feel like to have the very thing that mad you great - your body, strength and co-ordination - slowly and painfully taken away from you?

As a swimmer, Michael Klim was on top of the world - he was literally ‘World Swimmer of the Year’. Trips to the Olympics, medals of every colour, 21 world records AND his face on the cover of a Foo Fighters Album, Michael really did have it all.

However, in 2022 Michael was diagnosed with a life changing condition, wherein your body attacks it’s own tissue - chronic inflammatory demyelination polyneuropathy (CIDP).

In this episode, Hugh, Ryan and Josh chat to Michael about his equally impressive life out of the pool, and how his CIDP diagnosis has taught him a lot about identity, grief and relationships.

In 2023, Michael partnered with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to help raise awareness for the vital role blood donation plays in not just his life, but the 1 in 3 Australians who will need blood products in their lifetime. To help recipients like Michael and countless others book a blood donation here. https://bit.ly/4c8Z6tN

To watch the full episode on YouTube, follow this link. https://bit.ly/3RHPUoi

Links mentioned in the episode and extra resources:

📺 Things to watch

Homer Simpson’s journey through the Stages of Grief - https://bit.ly/4epRAMJ.
The Imperfects x Lifeblood video - https://bit.ly/3z0Suiv

🎧 Previous Imperfects episodes mentioned in this episode:

Tim Minchin - Lucky To Be Here https://link.chtbl.com/6kCw7ZR0
Gina Chick - Don’t Fight Life https://link.chtbl.com/Ginachick
Elizabeth Day - The Me-est Version of Me https://link.chtbl.com/elizabethday
Reece Conca - Tackling Male Infertility https://link.chtbl.com/reececonca

📖 Things to read

Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle is here https://bit.ly/45tThVu

⛑️ To support

Lifeblood - https://bit.ly/4c8Z6tN
The Klim Foundation - bit.ly/4ejtGTj

🎧 Things to listen to:

Milkshakes for Marlee - https://bit.ly/4cwRDEW

The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Klim - The Race of His LIfe

The Imperfects