FREE DOWNLOAD! 14 Nuggets of Wisdom for a Better Life!

Have you ever felt like life has knocked you down so hard you couldn't possibly get back up? Kim Rahir's equally inspiring as it is motivational story of overcoming the unthinkable is sure to leave a lasting impact on your life. And how this woman would go from suddenly being paralyzed to Olympic Weightlifting will undoubtedly leave you breathless and begging for more.

Who Is This For?

Are you someone facing seemingly insurmountable health challenges, feeling stuck in life, or simply seeking inspiration to not give up? If so, you are exactly where you are meant to be. If you've ever doubted your ability to overcome obstacles or wondered how to find strength in the face of adversity, Kim's journey from paralysis to powerlifting will ignite your spirit and show you what's possible with determination and the right mindset.


Looking for the Links?



What's It All About?

This episode takes you on an incredible journey of resilience, determination, and personal growth. Kim Rahir shares her inspiring story of how she went from being paralyzed and unable to walk to becoming a competitive weightlifter at the age of 60. You'll hear about her battle with autoimmune diseases, her discovery of strength training as a path to recovery, and how she transformed her life through the power of perseverance and a positive mindset. Kim's story is a testament to the human spirit and the incredible potential we all have to overcome challenges and reinvent ourselves at any age.


Some Key Takeaways:

Discover how to find strength and purpose in the face of life-altering health challenges

Learn the transformative power of strength training for both physical and mental well-being

Gain insights on how to approach life with gratitude and make the most of every moment, regardless of circumstances


Listen now to be inspired by Kim's extraordinary journey and discover how you can tap into your own inner strength to overcome any obstacle life throws your way.


Today's Featured Guest

Kim Rahir is a 60-year-old competitive weightlifter, health coach, and inspirational speaker. After overcoming paralysis and battling multiple sclerosis, Kim discovered the transformative power of strength training. Now, she's on a mission to empower women to embrace physical strength as a path to independence, confidence, and improved quality of life. Through her coaching and personal example, Kim is changing the narrative around aging and inspiring others to push beyond their perceived limitations.



Hey, it's Kevin!


I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!


  • I would LOVE to hear from you! Send me a Voice Message

  • Show Notes

    FREE DOWNLOAD! 14 Nuggets of Wisdom for a Better Life!

    Have you ever felt like life has knocked you down so hard you couldn't possibly get back up? Kim Rahir's equally inspiring as it is motivational story of overcoming the unthinkable is sure to leave a lasting impact on your life. And how this woman would go from suddenly being paralyzed to Olympic Weightlifting will undoubtedly leave you breathless and begging for more.

    Who Is This For?

    Are you someone facing seemingly insurmountable health challenges, feeling stuck in life, or simply seeking inspiration to not give up? If so, you are exactly where you are meant to be. If you've ever doubted your ability to overcome obstacles or wondered how to find strength in the face of adversity, Kim's journey from paralysis to powerlifting will ignite your spirit and show you what's possible with determination and the right mindset.


    Looking for the Links?



    What's It All About?

    This episode takes you on an incredible journey of resilience, determination, and personal growth. Kim Rahir shares her inspiring story of how she went from being paralyzed and unable to walk to becoming a competitive weightlifter at the age of 60. You'll hear about her battle with autoimmune diseases, her discovery of strength training as a path to recovery, and how she transformed her life through the power of perseverance and a positive mindset. Kim's story is a testament to the human spirit and the incredible potential we all have to overcome challenges and reinvent ourselves at any age.


    Some Key Takeaways:

    Discover how to find strength and purpose in the face of life-altering health challenges

    Learn the transformative power of strength training for both physical and mental well-being

    Gain insights on how to approach life with gratitude and make the most of every moment, regardless of circumstances


    Listen now to be inspired by Kim's extraordinary journey and discover how you can tap into your own inner strength to overcome any obstacle life throws your way.


    Today's Featured Guest

    Kim Rahir is a 60-year-old competitive weightlifter, health coach, and inspirational speaker. After overcoming paralysis and battling multiple sclerosis, Kim discovered the transformative power of strength training. Now, she's on a mission to empower women to embrace physical strength as a path to independence, confidence, and improved quality of life. Through her coaching and personal example, Kim is changing the narrative around aging and inspiring others to push beyond their perceived limitations.



    Hey, it's Kevin!


    I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!




    Stay Awesome! Live Inspired!

    © 2025 Grit, Grace, & Inspiration

    Show Transcript

    00:00:00.957 --> 00:00:06.197


    Kevin Lowe: I want you to imagine waking up one day to find your entire world turned upside down.



    00:00:06.397 --> 00:00:11.617


    Kevin Lowe: And yet, the very challenge that has seemingly destroyed your life would end



    00:00:11.617 --> 00:00:14.337


    Kevin Lowe: up becoming your greatest source of strength.



    00:00:14.717 --> 00:00:19.877


    Kevin Lowe: Today, I'm going to introduce you to Kim, a remarkable woman who has a journey



    00:00:19.877 --> 00:00:25.097


    Kevin Lowe: from adversity to triumph that will leave you breathless and begging for more.



    00:00:25.097 --> 00:00:28.397


    Kevin Lowe: But as with most of the guests on this podcast,



    00:00:28.817 --> 00:00:33.277


    Kevin Lowe: the most important thing that you need to know headed into today's episode is



    00:00:33.277 --> 00:00:39.277


    Kevin Lowe: that you might be listening to Kim tell her story, but you must understand that



    00:00:39.277 --> 00:00:41.797


    Kevin Lowe: this all relates right back to you.



    00:00:41.957 --> 00:00:46.137


    Kevin Lowe: Because no matter where you are in life, there's always a starting point.



    00:00:46.397 --> 00:00:51.857


    Kevin Lowe: You can always start right now to becoming stronger, more resilient,



    00:00:51.857 --> 00:00:58.277


    Kevin Lowe: and ultimately unstoppable. My friend, I can guarantee that this is the episode



    00:00:58.277 --> 00:01:00.577


    Kevin Lowe: that you needed to hear right now.



    00:01:00.837 --> 00:01:03.377


    Kevin Lowe: Welcome to episode 358.



    00:01:03.937 --> 00:01:07.897


    Kevin Lowe: Hey, I'm your host, Kevin Lowe, and you are listening to Grit,



    00:01:08.037 --> 00:01:09.397


    Kevin Lowe: Grace, and Inspiration.



    00:01:10.477 --> 00:01:14.677


    Kevin Lowe: Welcome back to another awesome interview here on Grit, Grace,



    00:01:14.757 --> 00:01:18.357


    Kevin Lowe: and Inspiration. Today is certainly no exception.



    00:01:19.137 --> 00:01:20.897


    Kevin Lowe: Kim, welcome to the podcast.



    00:01:21.737 --> 00:01:23.077


    Kim Rahir: Well, thanks for having me, Kevin.



    00:01:23.077 --> 00:01:29.417


    Kevin Lowe: Oh, my goodness. Well, it is an absolute honor. And I have been looking forward to this so much.



    00:01:29.777 --> 00:01:34.757


    Kevin Lowe: And Kim, you have you have such an amazing story, such an inspiring story.



    00:01:34.957 --> 00:01:39.097


    Kevin Lowe: And I guess the best place always to begin is kind of back at the beginning.



    00:01:39.397 --> 00:01:42.837


    Kevin Lowe: And you can, you know, take it from where you want.



    00:01:42.997 --> 00:01:46.197


    Kevin Lowe: But basically, I know that, you know, a big part of your story kind of begins



    00:01:46.197 --> 00:01:50.437


    Kevin Lowe: around the year like 2008. I'd love it if you just kind of give me,



    00:01:50.437 --> 00:01:54.017


    Kevin Lowe: you know, the story surrounding kind of that time in your story.



    00:01:54.757 --> 00:01:59.237


    Kim Rahir: Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And I can't believe it's, you know, that long ago.



    00:01:59.457 --> 00:02:02.897


    Kim Rahir: That's coming up on 16 years in November, at least that's when it started.



    00:02:03.237 --> 00:02:04.497


    Kim Rahir: Not that I want to go back, though.



    00:02:04.857 --> 00:02:07.057


    Kevin Lowe: No, absolutely.



    00:02:07.397 --> 00:02:11.097


    Kim Rahir: So I was, we had just moved country again. I lived with my husband.



    00:02:11.277 --> 00:02:15.717


    Kim Rahir: We were both journalists with three small kids. And we moved every four years



    00:02:15.717 --> 00:02:20.297


    Kim Rahir: from country to country, which is very exciting, never boring.



    00:02:20.297 --> 00:02:24.617


    Kim Rahir: But of course, it's challenging also, especially when you drag along kids.



    00:02:24.897 --> 00:02:28.717


    Kim Rahir: But we had arrived in Germany, which is my home country.



    00:02:29.269 --> 00:02:32.829


    Kim Rahir: And we lived in Berlin, had been living there for a year. And for the first



    00:02:32.829 --> 00:02:37.409


    Kim Rahir: time also in all our time together, I had a full-time job.



    00:02:37.569 --> 00:02:41.189


    Kim Rahir: I was employed too, because we were both journalists, but my husband had got



    00:02:41.189 --> 00:02:44.529


    Kim Rahir: the assignments and I started as a freelancer wherever we went.



    00:02:45.209 --> 00:02:49.769


    Kim Rahir: So, you know, we were in my home country. I had a full-time job, three kids.



    00:02:49.929 --> 00:02:54.549


    Kim Rahir: We lived in a beautiful house and it felt like, you know, that was it.



    00:02:54.689 --> 00:02:59.409


    Kim Rahir: I had made it. I had sort of fulfilled my dream. I'd always wanted to prove



    00:02:59.409 --> 00:03:05.229


    Kim Rahir: that you could have a family and a career as a woman, which when I was raised



    00:03:05.229 --> 00:03:08.069


    Kim Rahir: was not like, you know, a given at all.



    00:03:08.269 --> 00:03:14.069


    Kim Rahir: I was raised in a, you know, like socially very conservative Germany where the



    00:03:14.069 --> 00:03:17.289


    Kim Rahir: word career woman was an insult when I was a teenager.



    00:03:17.729 --> 00:03:22.669


    Kim Rahir: And it was always assumed that you had to choose either you had kids or you had a job.



    00:03:22.809 --> 00:03:26.929


    Kim Rahir: And I would, you know, never want that and accept that.



    00:03:27.069 --> 00:03:32.289


    Kim Rahir: And here I was and I had both and I felt like now I had made it.



    00:03:32.609 --> 00:03:36.849


    Kim Rahir: And then from one day to the next, like literally, I was struck down.



    00:03:37.009 --> 00:03:39.989


    Kim Rahir: I was out of it all. It started by me seeing double.



    00:03:40.169 --> 00:03:44.209


    Kim Rahir: I was picking up my kids from school, we were driving and I was driving a car



    00:03:44.209 --> 00:03:48.609


    Kim Rahir: and I was seeing double and I thought, oh my God, something's really wrong.



    00:03:48.729 --> 00:03:54.209


    Kim Rahir: Now this came on the heels of just, you know, like a flu infection that I'd



    00:03:54.209 --> 00:03:58.749


    Kim Rahir: had a few days before, but, you know, like any, any mom of small kids would



    00:03:58.749 --> 00:04:00.529


    Kim Rahir: do, I was back on my feet right away.



    00:04:00.869 --> 00:04:04.649


    Kim Rahir: And then there I was seeing double and I knew this time I had to go to the doctors



    00:04:04.649 --> 00:04:09.429


    Kim Rahir: because, you know, that's no small thing. That's something happening in the brain.



    00:04:10.203 --> 00:04:14.463


    Kim Rahir: And went to the doctors and I was sent straight to the hospital where I was



    00:04:14.463 --> 00:04:19.763


    Kim Rahir: to stay for six weeks because they had to do all kinds of checkups.



    00:04:19.963 --> 00:04:22.103


    Kim Rahir: They couldn't really find what it was.



    00:04:22.383 --> 00:04:27.963


    Kim Rahir: And on top of like the weird eyes, after three weeks, I was completely paralyzed



    00:04:27.963 --> 00:04:29.323


    Kim Rahir: from the hips downwards.



    00:04:30.203 --> 00:04:33.123


    Kim Rahir: No sensitivity whatsoever in my legs.



    00:04:33.303 --> 00:04:38.903


    Kim Rahir: And that was just so scary. It was so scary, especially because they,



    00:04:38.903 --> 00:04:43.663


    Kim Rahir: I mean, they thought it was something autoimmune, but they couldn't really name



    00:04:43.663 --> 00:04:46.623


    Kim Rahir: it because my symptoms were all over the place.



    00:04:46.623 --> 00:04:49.923


    Kim Rahir: And they love, you know, having that symptoms in those boxes.



    00:04:50.223 --> 00:04:55.083


    Kim Rahir: So like the eyes would have been a Miller-Fisher syndrome and legs were like



    00:04:55.083 --> 00:04:56.383


    Kim Rahir: a Guillain-Barré syndrome.



    00:04:56.923 --> 00:05:01.283


    Kim Rahir: And there I was in the middle of this, always having like students in white



    00:05:01.283 --> 00:05:05.363


    Kim Rahir: coats around my bed because I was such a weird case, which, you know,



    00:05:05.743 --> 00:05:09.883


    Kim Rahir: contributed also to me feeling a bit dehumanized, actually, because already



    00:05:09.883 --> 00:05:11.723


    Kim Rahir: you don't have any power in a hospital.



    00:05:11.843 --> 00:05:16.443


    Kim Rahir: You can't decide like anything, not when the light is on in your room,



    00:05:16.563 --> 00:05:19.403


    Kim Rahir: not when you're going to sleep, not when you're waking up, nothing at all.



    00:05:19.483 --> 00:05:22.683


    Kim Rahir: When you can't walk, you can't even decide when you're going to have a shower



    00:05:22.683 --> 00:05:23.763


    Kim Rahir: or when you're going to the toilet.



    00:05:23.963 --> 00:05:29.363


    Kim Rahir: And then on top of this, I was there sort of exposed like a study case to students



    00:05:29.363 --> 00:05:33.763


    Kim Rahir: once a week. And I even said, can you please, I don't really want this anymore.



    00:05:33.763 --> 00:05:38.563


    Kim Rahir: And then they sort of always talked me into, you know, allow that one more time.



    00:05:39.721 --> 00:05:44.061


    Kim Rahir: My life had changed like from one day to the next, from one day to the next.



    00:05:44.341 --> 00:05:48.701


    Kim Rahir: Everything that I had taken for granted, taken as a given, was gone.



    00:05:49.201 --> 00:05:53.301


    Kim Rahir: I couldn't walk. I couldn't look after my kids. I couldn't go to work.



    00:05:53.521 --> 00:05:57.401


    Kim Rahir: I couldn't do anything, basically. That was really, really tough.



    00:05:58.061 --> 00:06:04.061


    Kevin Lowe: Wow. You know, I always say it's crazy how everything in life can change in the blink of an eye.



    00:06:04.721 --> 00:06:05.201


    Kim Rahir: Absolutely.



    00:06:06.581 --> 00:06:13.281


    Kevin Lowe: Now, during this time, you went in seeing double is what prompted you to go to the doctor.



    00:06:13.541 --> 00:06:19.561


    Kevin Lowe: And then you mentioned while there, you then basically became paralyzed from what the waist down.



    00:06:19.881 --> 00:06:20.261


    Kim Rahir: Yes.



    00:06:20.481 --> 00:06:24.641


    Kevin Lowe: How did that come on? Was it something did you just wake up and all of a sudden



    00:06:24.641 --> 00:06:27.901


    Kevin Lowe: realized you couldn't feel your legs or how did that happen?



    00:06:28.201 --> 00:06:32.901


    Kim Rahir: No, that was very gradual, actually. you know, it was my immune system attacking



    00:06:32.901 --> 00:06:38.241


    Kim Rahir: my own nerves and it was mostly the sensitive nerves in my legs that it started



    00:06:38.241 --> 00:06:40.141


    Kim Rahir: like sort of gnawing away at.



    00:06:40.741 --> 00:06:44.041


    Kim Rahir: And first it was just a weird feeling in my feet.



    00:06:44.301 --> 00:06:49.241


    Kim Rahir: Like that's the thing with neurological conditions. You always have sensations



    00:06:49.241 --> 00:06:50.561


    Kim Rahir: that you shouldn't have.



    00:06:50.761 --> 00:06:53.841


    Kim Rahir: And my feet felt weird. Then I



    00:06:53.841 --> 00:06:57.581


    Kim Rahir: realized that I couldn't properly flex my



    00:06:57.581 --> 00:07:02.641


    Kim Rahir: leg muscles you know it was like very very slowly first it was weird sensations



    00:07:02.641 --> 00:07:08.541


    Kim Rahir: then it was like limitations things I couldn't do and then at some point I just



    00:07:08.541 --> 00:07:13.081


    Kim Rahir: had lost all control over my legs that it took about like you know I'd say like



    00:07:13.081 --> 00:07:16.081


    Kim Rahir: two weeks first week started after one week in hospital.



    00:07:17.181 --> 00:07:22.101


    Kim Rahir: And that's also quite scary when you see yourself you know feel yourself getting



    00:07:22.101 --> 00:07:26.381


    Kim Rahir: worse every day And they treated me with all kinds of stuff with,



    00:07:26.561 --> 00:07:32.481


    Kim Rahir: how do you call this, cortisone and then immune globulins and all sorts of things.



    00:07:32.621 --> 00:07:36.841


    Kim Rahir: And because they were also a little bit desperate because they were not sure what was going on.



    00:07:37.041 --> 00:07:44.001


    Kim Rahir: So when I felt the feeling come back in my legs, we didn't really know what



    00:07:44.001 --> 00:07:48.141


    Kim Rahir: had helped because they had tried so many different things. Could have been one or the other.



    00:07:48.321 --> 00:07:51.501


    Kim Rahir: I'm glad, you know, I was just happy to get better.



    00:07:51.501 --> 00:07:54.601


    Kim Rahir: But was still not very very clear



    00:07:54.601 --> 00:07:57.301


    Kim Rahir: what was going on i could leave the



    00:07:57.301 --> 00:08:00.521


    Kim Rahir: hospital i was in a wheelchair i could sort of stand i



    00:08:00.521 --> 00:08:03.541


    Kim Rahir: was very wobbly and it took me about six months



    00:08:03.541 --> 00:08:10.101


    Kim Rahir: to walk normally again and after i had left hospital they then after a while



    00:08:10.101 --> 00:08:16.081


    Kim Rahir: decided that this was indeed a guillain which is a syndrome that happens a lot



    00:08:16.081 --> 00:08:20.761


    Kim Rahir: to soldiers and when I look back now you know my.



    00:08:21.501 --> 00:08:26.301


    Kim Rahir: Fulfilling my dream and having a full-time job and three kids and all that I



    00:08:26.301 --> 00:08:31.701


    Kim Rahir: think I was a bit stressed out actually I was soldiering along a little bit and,



    00:08:32.349 --> 00:08:36.089


    Kim Rahir: I'm not going to say this is what caused my illness, but it somehow,



    00:08:36.149 --> 00:08:38.209


    Kim Rahir: you know, fits the description.



    00:08:38.529 --> 00:08:42.689


    Kim Rahir: And I remember one day I was at home. I still couldn't walk properly.



    00:08:43.049 --> 00:08:48.069


    Kim Rahir: It was like an icy Berlin winter outside. And I saw a couple on the sidewalk.



    00:08:48.409 --> 00:08:53.389


    Kim Rahir: They were walking along and they both had such grumpy faces.



    00:08:53.389 --> 00:08:57.309


    Kim Rahir: They both looked so angry. And I was sitting inside and I thought,



    00:08:57.469 --> 00:09:01.949


    Kim Rahir: how on earth can you be so angry when you can walk?



    00:09:02.349 --> 00:09:06.669


    Kim Rahir: Come on, you don't even know how lucky you are.



    00:09:06.829 --> 00:09:11.089


    Kim Rahir: And this sudden insight when I thought these people have stayed with me ever since.



    00:09:11.449 --> 00:09:16.689


    Kim Rahir: Every step I take today, I'm grateful and I know that it's a gift.



    00:09:17.149 --> 00:09:21.809


    Kim Rahir: So looking back, it sounds so crazy, but I'm actually grateful for this experience.



    00:09:22.049 --> 00:09:25.109


    Kim Rahir: It was very dark. It was very frightening.



    00:09:25.689 --> 00:09:30.449


    Kim Rahir: It was totally defeating. You know, I felt utterly helpless and powerless.



    00:09:30.449 --> 00:09:36.009


    Kim Rahir: But now I know that it's taught me so much about life, how to look at life and



    00:09:36.009 --> 00:09:42.629


    Kim Rahir: how to enjoy what I'm given and be grateful for all the blessings,



    00:09:42.889 --> 00:09:46.629


    Kim Rahir: you know, small blessings, they say. For me, there's no small blessing.



    00:09:47.509 --> 00:09:53.649


    Kim Rahir: Everything that I can do today, I'm really grateful for. And that makes it so



    00:09:53.649 --> 00:09:55.189


    Kim Rahir: much more enjoyable, you know.



    00:09:55.489 --> 00:10:02.149


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah, absolutely. Now, during this time, what was even just the emotional toll



    00:10:02.149 --> 00:10:04.869


    Kevin Lowe: on you as far as being a mom?



    00:10:05.009 --> 00:10:12.469


    Kevin Lowe: Because obviously, you weren't able to take the kids to school or care for them



    00:10:12.469 --> 00:10:14.929


    Kevin Lowe: like you had been. How was that on you?



    00:10:15.189 --> 00:10:21.629


    Kim Rahir: It's very painful to have your kids come visit you and you're lying in a hospital



    00:10:21.629 --> 00:10:23.689


    Kim Rahir: bed. It's just pure pain.



    00:10:24.189 --> 00:10:27.809


    Kim Rahir: But you can't show it, right? You can't show your pain.



    00:10:27.969 --> 00:10:32.349


    Kim Rahir: I didn't want to show my pain. I didn't want them to feel pained,



    00:10:32.469 --> 00:10:36.389


    Kim Rahir: you know, on top of being so, well, they weren't unbalanced,



    00:10:36.549 --> 00:10:38.769


    Kim Rahir: but sort of their routine, everything had gone away too.



    00:10:38.929 --> 00:10:41.749


    Kim Rahir: I mean, they were still going to school, but it was not me and they were still



    00:10:41.749 --> 00:10:44.129


    Kim Rahir: getting their dinners, but it was not me who made them.



    00:10:44.729 --> 00:10:48.549


    Kim Rahir: So I didn't want to show my pain, but I felt it like very badly.



    00:10:48.749 --> 00:10:54.029


    Kim Rahir: And, you know, that's, I remember my oldest son, I mean, Berlin is a huge place.



    00:10:54.029 --> 00:10:59.349


    Kim Rahir: My oldest son, he was 10 at the time and he was already traveling by himself to school.



    00:10:59.649 --> 00:11:04.509


    Kim Rahir: And one day, I mean, this was before smartphones also, I was just at the onset,



    00:11:04.749 --> 00:11:07.389


    Kim Rahir: you know, I think he had smartphones existed.



    00:11:07.809 --> 00:11:10.229


    Kim Rahir: A lot of the stuff in hospital would have been easier probably.



    00:11:10.589 --> 00:11:14.989


    Kim Rahir: Anyway, he sent me a text message and said, can I come see you?



    00:11:15.269 --> 00:11:19.569


    Kim Rahir: And then he took like, you know, public transport all across town just to come



    00:11:19.569 --> 00:11:22.209


    Kim Rahir: see me after school. even today when I think of this, you know,



    00:11:22.309 --> 00:11:26.009


    Kim Rahir: I feel like tearing up because it was just so...



    00:11:26.497 --> 00:11:29.937


    Kim Rahir: So heart-wrenching, you know, to know that your kids are missing you.



    00:11:30.197 --> 00:11:33.317


    Kim Rahir: There's also this other aspect. When I got home for Christmas,



    00:11:33.617 --> 00:11:38.557


    Kim Rahir: there was a tree, there were presents, there was food, and I hadn't done any of it.



    00:11:38.657 --> 00:11:43.337


    Kim Rahir: So this feeling that so many moms have, and this is something I really want



    00:11:43.337 --> 00:11:48.677


    Kim Rahir: to tell all the women out there who feel that if they don't do everything.



    00:11:49.217 --> 00:11:54.937


    Kim Rahir: You know, nothing's going to work, that everything depends on us, every single thing.



    00:11:54.937 --> 00:11:56.837


    Kim Rahir: And that the world's sort of



    00:11:56.837 --> 00:12:01.037


    Kim Rahir: somehow going to stop if we don't do what we have to do every single day.



    00:12:01.217 --> 00:12:06.517


    Kim Rahir: And that moment taught me that, yes, I was like out totally from one day to



    00:12:06.517 --> 00:12:10.537


    Kim Rahir: the next, but the world kept on turning and there was still Christmas and we



    00:12:10.537 --> 00:12:15.257


    Kim Rahir: still came together and there were presents and there was food even without me doing it.



    00:12:15.437 --> 00:12:21.697


    Kim Rahir: And that's a big relief actually when you realize that you are not indispensable,



    00:12:21.697 --> 00:12:25.137


    Kim Rahir: that you can take time off.



    00:12:25.337 --> 00:12:30.377


    Kim Rahir: We never do this when we, you know, like voluntarily, but learning that,



    00:12:30.637 --> 00:12:34.237


    Kim Rahir: you know, everything will still work okay if you're not there.



    00:12:34.417 --> 00:12:39.577


    Kim Rahir: I think it's really, it's liberating and it's empowering because it gives you



    00:12:39.577 --> 00:12:43.677


    Kim Rahir: the strength to say sometimes, no, I can't do this. This is just too much.



    00:12:43.817 --> 00:12:48.177


    Kim Rahir: I need some time here to do something else or to do something for myself.



    00:12:48.177 --> 00:12:53.677


    Kim Rahir: And I wish, I really wish to carry this message to all women out there who think



    00:12:53.677 --> 00:12:57.777


    Kim Rahir: that the world rests on their shoulders because it's a heavy load to carry.



    00:12:58.097 --> 00:13:03.797


    Kim Rahir: And I wish, you know, for them to get it, to get this insight without having



    00:13:03.797 --> 00:13:07.157


    Kim Rahir: it demonstrated to them so brutally as it was to me.



    00:13:07.597 --> 00:13:15.437


    Kevin Lowe: Absolutely. You, your mindset and the way that you see life, it's really beautiful.



    00:13:16.117 --> 00:13:21.197


    Kevin Lowe: It's really powerful. And the way that you can see, looking back on it now,



    00:13:21.677 --> 00:13:28.297


    Kevin Lowe: the blessings that you gained from such a terrible experience is, it's really amazing.



    00:13:28.537 --> 00:13:33.477


    Kevin Lowe: I guess what my next question is, is after this six-month period,



    00:13:34.097 --> 00:13:37.377


    Kevin Lowe: did you ever have symptoms like that come up again?



    00:13:37.877 --> 00:13:42.317


    Kim Rahir: Not the same, but unfortunately, that was not the end of my autoimmune saga



    00:13:42.317 --> 00:13:48.057


    Kim Rahir: because, well, after I got more treatment after that, after six months I could



    00:13:48.057 --> 00:13:52.657


    Kim Rahir: walk again, but I still went into the hospital once a month to get infusions and everything.



    00:13:52.877 --> 00:13:57.457


    Kim Rahir: But then after a year, I was told that yes, absolutely, this was a one-off and



    00:13:57.457 --> 00:14:01.397


    Kim Rahir: I didn't need any treatment anymore. And I was now just a normal, healthy person.



    00:14:01.517 --> 00:14:08.397


    Kim Rahir: And I can't describe how overjoyed I felt to call my husband on the phone.



    00:14:09.141 --> 00:14:14.681


    Kim Rahir: We both cried with joy and I thought this is, you know, this is a gift.



    00:14:15.141 --> 00:14:19.521


    Kim Rahir: I'm not, I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to, you know, live every day,



    00:14:20.101 --> 00:14:24.301


    Kim Rahir: every moment with my kids and enjoy every, every bit of it.



    00:14:24.661 --> 00:14:30.821


    Kim Rahir: And then a year, another year later, I felt my left hand going numb.



    00:14:31.001 --> 00:14:34.921


    Kim Rahir: And this thing that I say with neurological stuff, you feel stuff that you shouldn't



    00:14:34.921 --> 00:14:40.821


    Kim Rahir: be feeling. So I knew that sensation wasn't right and I got more checkups.



    00:14:41.061 --> 00:14:44.081


    Kim Rahir: And this time they said, oh, yeah, this is different.



    00:14:44.361 --> 00:14:49.501


    Kim Rahir: This is not the kind of immune attack that you had before. This is an attack



    00:14:49.501 --> 00:14:52.421


    Kim Rahir: of your system on the white matter in your nerves.



    00:14:53.201 --> 00:14:56.541


    Kim Rahir: And, you know, this is MS, this is multiple sclerosis.



    00:14:57.081 --> 00:14:59.821


    Kim Rahir: And you can imagine that I thought this was like



    00:14:59.821 --> 00:15:03.061


    Kim Rahir: a really low blow because I had just overcome



    00:15:03.061 --> 00:15:06.541


    Kim Rahir: this other thing which was really kind of traumatizing



    00:15:06.541 --> 00:15:10.161


    Kim Rahir: and I thought I was so so happy



    00:15:10.161 --> 00:15:14.321


    Kim Rahir: so relieved so overjoyed to have left that behind me and then they said oh no



    00:15:14.321 --> 00:15:18.961


    Kim Rahir: you know go back to square one and by the way this time it's worse and this



    00:15:18.961 --> 00:15:23.741


    Kim Rahir: time it's not a one-off this time it's for life so the darkness that I had felt



    00:15:23.741 --> 00:15:28.621


    Kim Rahir: for the first time it came back it came back and it was even scarier,



    00:15:28.801 --> 00:15:33.161


    Kim Rahir: but I had learned certain sort of approaches and attitudes.



    00:15:33.181 --> 00:15:35.701


    Kim Rahir: And I think they got me through this.



    00:15:35.881 --> 00:15:40.641


    Kim Rahir: I didn't allow myself to look at the future, at the big picture.



    00:15:40.801 --> 00:15:42.601


    Kim Rahir: I didn't. It was too scary.



    00:15:42.801 --> 00:15:47.881


    Kim Rahir: I really focused on what I could do in the moment. I had to accept lifelong



    00:15:47.881 --> 00:15:52.321


    Kim Rahir: treatment after a fight with my doctor, because that's what they give you for



    00:15:52.321 --> 00:15:56.141


    Kim Rahir: multiple sclerosis. But I had just this hand thing that was numb.



    00:15:56.301 --> 00:15:58.801


    Kim Rahir: The rest had been stopped then by an infusion.



    00:15:59.401 --> 00:16:04.561


    Kim Rahir: And I could walk, I could move. And I just decided that I was going to just



    00:16:04.561 --> 00:16:10.101


    Kim Rahir: live every single day like this, the way I felt, thinking that I was okay and



    00:16:10.101 --> 00:16:12.861


    Kim Rahir: not scare myself with thoughts of the future.



    00:16:13.041 --> 00:16:17.981


    Kim Rahir: And I think that helped me tremendously. I think when you have a diagnosis like



    00:16:17.981 --> 00:16:24.501


    Kim Rahir: this and you start imagining what's going to happen, even in two weeks or in two years or in 20 years,



    00:16:24.721 --> 00:16:29.701


    Kim Rahir: you can be so paralyzed with the uncertainty of it that you will forget,



    00:16:29.701 --> 00:16:30.941


    Kim Rahir: you know, to live your life.



    00:16:31.081 --> 00:16:35.701


    Kim Rahir: And I decided, no, I'm going to just live every day because right now I'm okay



    00:16:35.701 --> 00:16:37.901


    Kim Rahir: and I'm going to make the most of that.



    00:16:38.221 --> 00:16:39.381


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah, absolutely.



    00:16:40.641 --> 00:16:49.381


    Kevin Lowe: So in this journey, this medical journey that we're on, where does exercise



    00:16:49.381 --> 00:16:53.381


    Kevin Lowe: and in lifting weights, how does that even enter the picture?



    00:16:53.941 --> 00:16:56.561


    Kim Rahir: Yeah, it's quite interesting. I mean,



    00:16:56.701 --> 00:17:01.361


    Kim Rahir: I had been a gym goer before all that happened, but I went to the gym like most



    00:17:01.361 --> 00:17:06.181


    Kim Rahir: women did, you know, like with this idea of achieving a certain body shape or



    00:17:06.181 --> 00:17:09.001


    Kim Rahir: staying fit in a very general way.



    00:17:09.001 --> 00:17:12.221


    Kim Rahir: And after my ms



    00:17:12.221 --> 00:17:15.441


    Kim Rahir: diagnosis i felt this desire to



    00:17:15.441 --> 00:17:20.181


    Kim Rahir: go back to the gym first of all and then to go there to become strong like i



    00:17:20.181 --> 00:17:27.841


    Kim Rahir: wanted to become insanely strong physically strong and i think this this came



    00:17:27.841 --> 00:17:33.841


    Kim Rahir: from feeling so powerless when i was in hospital and i came from,



    00:17:34.401 --> 00:17:37.921


    Kim Rahir: wanting to make the most of what I had in the moment. As I said,



    00:17:38.021 --> 00:17:39.221


    Kim Rahir: I could walk, I could move.



    00:17:39.361 --> 00:17:42.961


    Kim Rahir: I had just, I mean, my left hand is numb to this day, but that's about it.



    00:17:43.541 --> 00:17:50.361


    Kim Rahir: And I really felt this need to be strong also to be able to trust my body again,



    00:17:50.501 --> 00:17:52.101


    Kim Rahir: to count on my body again.



    00:17:52.481 --> 00:17:57.281


    Kim Rahir: Because with autoimmune diseases, there's this bit of a feeling of betrayal



    00:17:57.281 --> 00:18:00.701


    Kim Rahir: that you can't trust your body. It's doing, you know, like stupid things.



    00:18:00.881 --> 00:18:03.881


    Kim Rahir: Why, you know, it's supposed to protect you, not to attack itself



    00:18:03.881 --> 00:18:06.761


    Kim Rahir: i mean this is with hindsight i just felt this



    00:18:06.761 --> 00:18:10.381


    Kim Rahir: ne

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