IT’S February 2023 and Melbourne is in the final month of preparations for the upcoming AFL season.
While the team is putting itself in the best shape possible for the many weeks of footy ahead, Christian Salem is forced to the sidelines.
The defender is facing something that he’s had to manage twice since first arriving at the Dees back in 2013, with no clear timeline on a return.
“So, I first picked it up when I got drafted to the club,” Salem said during IG’s Melbourne Mindset.
“I couldn't run through the cones or anything…and then I passed out in one session. They thought it was probably heat stroke, but then it happened again the following week, so something was up.
“I got blood tests and it came back that I had an overactive thyroid.”
An overactive thyroid, which can be triggered by a number of things, affects an individual’s heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.
With the seriousness of this concern, Salem’s recovery was set to be one of low physical activity and plenty of monitoring.
His timeline back to football was unknown, with weekly blood tests the norm.
“I would get up for a glass of water and come sit back down and my heart rate would probably be at about 120,” Salem said.
“So, it's not only a risk for you, but your heart as well in terms of trying to play a game of football or trying to train.
“They got me on some tablets and I pretty much just needed to rest and wasn’t allowed to do anything until those [thyroid] levels regulated.
As he starts entering reconditioning Salem joins the rehab group, returning to square one of his pre-season.
Being in the rehab group as an AFL player can be a frustrating period due to restricted training and limited time with the team.
This frustration paired with the unknown timeline left Salem in a particularly difficult space.
But, having worked closely with the club’s psychologist on the best ways to keep his mind in shape, the 28-year-old had a fresh perspective.
“It is pretty tough,” Salem said.
“It did impact everyday life…but I did have great support around me and at the same time you’ve just got to find ways to find the positive in it.
“I spent a lot of time with the coaches in that period trying to work on little things - sit up in the coach's box, get a different angle of it.
“I spent a bit of time working on staying present and not dwelling on what was happening.”
Salem bided his time on the sidelines, making his way back into optimum physical fitness for footy.
After a minor setback with his knee, the defender returns to the senior team n Round 10, playing out the remainder of the season in full health.
“I'm lucky to be able to play football…I stayed grateful, humble, and then tried to find my way back,” Salem said.
“Driving in here every day, there's a lot of boys in the same boat, that are just excited to get in and looking for ways to get better.
“At the end of the day, you’re doing what you love and it's something that you're very grateful for, it means a lot.”
