Karlyn Pipes Book Still Rings True: ‘Never Too Late for a Do-Over’
Second chances are pivotal.
They can mean a fresh start at work, in a relationship or in a life outlook.
For Karlyn Pipes, a second chance broke her from the chains of addiction. The Hall of Fame swimmer told all in “The Do-Over, My Journey from the Depths of Addiction to World Champion Swimmer,” co-written with Tito Morales.
“It is never too late for a Do-Over,” Pipes said.
The book chronicles her fight through several addictions on her way to becoming one of the top swimmers in the world.
“While publicly I remained anonymous (during my career), privately I frequently shared my story with others in hopes that it might help those struggling with addiction. In addition to alcoholism, I also struggled with bulimia from age 17 until I got sober at 31,” Karlyn Pipes told Swimming World.
She first began to speak publicly about her more than decade-long battle at her 2015 induction to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
“It was an amazing feeling to finally share the real story because the audience had no idea where I had come from. So many people came up to me afterwards and shared how alcoholism had touched their lives,” she said.
Pipes knew the feeling. She felt like she was drowning, not in the water, but in her addictions. With so much pressure on her to keep up to expectations, the pressure was too much, leading to depression, and she turned to alcohol to dull the pain – and it started a long spiral down.
The most difficult thing any addict will tell you is asking for help that first time.
A call came that changed her life.
At age 31, Karlyn Pipes finally found a way to face herself and her addiction, and just like the problem started with the pool, the solution was also there. She returned to the water to make peace with herself and her sport.
The Do-Over is an inspiring story about making the most of a second chance – something everyone deals with at some point in their lives.
Karlyn Pipes doesn’t spare any detail no matter how painful, giving a candid and realistic look at depression and addiction that many with mental health issues can instantly relate to.
Life is full of Do-Overs and this story will help others find a way to reach theirs.