Better Homes and Gardens host Johanna Griggs has opened up about the debilitating health struggle that nearly derailed her swimming career while she was still in her teens.
The beloved Channel 7 personality won her first Commonwealth Games medal in 1990 when she was just 16 — but a year later, her world came crashing down.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Behind the scenes on a Johanna Griggs magazine shoot.
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In a new interview with Prevention, the TV star admitted that being diagnosed at 17 with chronic fatigue syndrome was a blow — but one she ultimately felt “thankful” for.
“You learn more about yourself during a tough period than you do during a great one,” she said.
“One of the most important things that it taught me was to be able to be by myself and to be comfortable in my own skin.”
Her swimming career on pause, the next few years were “one step forward, two steps back,” she added.
But she learned the power of positive self-belief as she worked her way back to physical and emotional strength.
“It’s asking yourself, ‘Can you put your head on the pillow and know in your heart of hearts you’ve done everything within your power that day to get better?’,” she said of that time in her life.
“But also, not beating yourself up on it, just working out what was working (and) what wasn’t working.”
Over the next two and a half years, Johanna was on a highly restricted diet, one that was “wheat-free, yeast-free, egg-free, malt-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, herb-free, spice-free, caffeine-free”.
Eventually she was able to return to training, although she faced further setbacks, including a bout of pleurisy that landed her in hospital.
But by 1993 she was back on the winner’s podium, taking out the 50m backstroke at the Australian Swimming Championships.
On the crest of this high, Johanna decided her swimming career was over.
“For me, it was a massive milestone to get to say I could be the best, but I also knew when I hit that (pool) wall, I did not want to keep living like that,” she told Prevention.
“I told my mum I was retiring that night and remember her voice going up a couple of octaves higher than normal.”
Because Johanna had been committed to pursuing a swimming career from a young age, her secondary education had been patchy and her mum, a school teacher, was terrified Joh would have trouble finding a regular day job.
But she needn’t have worried.
Recognising her popularity with the public, her bubbly personality and her on-camera charisma, television producers came calling.
Now, Johanna is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Better Homes and Gardens, the Channel 7 show she helms and which boasts a devoting and loyal following.
She recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot that accompanied her interview with Prevention and it’s easy to see why she’s so popular both in front of and behind the camera.
“The best bit about this day is I got to collaborate with two of my closest friends which always make days at work feel like a breeze … hair and make up by @lisasoames_makeup and styling by @rosietrindall,” she wrote.
“We’ve been a trio of chaos for such a long time now — I can’t fathom working so closely with anyone else, nor would I want to.”
She also praised the magazine for not “making fun” of “how much of a dork I am for the 1000 hobbies I have, or how obsessed with my veggie garden, cows and bees I am.”
Johanna’s Instagram followers loved the behind-the-scenes footage — and the fabulous outfits she got to wear on the day.
“Gorgeous inside and out,” wrote Chezzi Denyer.
“You big spunk,” added fellow swimming alumni Giaan Rooney.
“That dress is stunning!!!!! Please tell me it’s yours!!!!” wrote one follower.
“Omgoodness that floral frock is divine,” said another.
“Look at you looking all gorgeous.”
“Love this so much,” wrote a third.
“What a team you have — and you look absolutely gorgeous Joh.”
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