From A Life-Threatening Accident To An Iron Man At 72

By Michael Kimpton: Motivational Speaker

I am a 72-year-old Ironman triathlete. Currently ranked number 1 in Australia and number 4 in the World in my Age Category 70-74, where most of the athletes are retired or dead!  

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I only progressed to IRONMAN Triathlon competition in 2021, at the age of 67, taking on a monster one day endurance event consisting of a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a 42.2 km Marathon run. This wouldn’t have seen possible once upon a time- back in 1977,a traumatic accident permanently changed the course of my life. Let me take you back to that day.  

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On a wet and windy night I was commuting back home after work as an Accountant in Melbourne. Out of nowhere I crashed my motorcycle, causing life-threatening injuries that changed everything.  

The accident happened just down the road from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. I fell off my motorcycle on a greasy roundabout and slipped under a parked car. I lost consciousness and immediately needed 2 units of blood for my massive injuries; a severely gashed calf and compound fracture of the femur. I was rushed to emergency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition with severe injuries, loss of blood and shock. My kidneys failed and I was placed on dialysis.  

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However, the human body can be remarkably resilient and is sometimes able to recuperate. Slowly I weaned off pain medication and gradually started to understand the seriousness of my health predicament. My left leg was fully paralysed due to nerve damage and the compound fracture required the insertion of a metal rod and months in traction.  

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The enormous wound in my calf required skin grafts. I was told I was lucky not to lose my lower leg.  

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I spent 5 months in hospital in traction, 6 weeks on kidney dialysis, and then learning how to walk again after my muscles wasted away was a major task. Lucky for me the Nerve in my leg was not completely severed and it regenerated over the next 18 months.  

Whoever thought I could do a full Ironman, let alone represent Australia 7 times in this challenging multisport?

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Years on I still listen to kids on the beach who say, “Shark Bite for sure!” I’m still explaining my disfigurement to this day.  

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I believed I was given a second chance in life. I am now one of the most ambitious and driven people - in life and in triathlons. I never do things halfhearted. I always put in 110% and never say never!  

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‘Not possible” are two words that don’t appear in my vocabulary. If someone says to me it’s not possible; I’ll prove to them it may be possible.  

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My goal is to motivate & inspire you all. I want you to feel safe enough to leave your comfort zone in order to achieve anything which you might believe is beyond your expectations.

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This does not have to be in a sport. it can be in life in general. Any goals you set yourself whether it be to do with work, family, play, achievements, recognition, promotion, happiness- whatever!  

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Please help me with raise funds for my next challenge in October this year by scanning the QR code.  

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