Almost a year ago Kyle Chalmers thought his swimming career was done.
He was ready to walk away, weary of the spotlight and scrutiny at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games,
But rather than retire, the 24-year-old rediscovered his passion for the pool and is reaping the rewards, storming to victory in the 100m freestyle at the world championship trials in Melbourne.
His winning time of 47.44 on Friday was faster than he swam to win gold at the Rio Olympics and second fastest of the year behind China's Pan Zhanle's 47.22.
The King is back.
"This time last year I thought I was done but I re-evaluated and really found my love and passion for the sport," Chalmers said.
"I definitely didn't see here or swimming that fast or loving it as much as I am at the moment.
"Credit to all my friends and family that have really got around me these these young guys coming through inspire me day in day out to keep going."
The South Australian said having fun out of the pool, and getting a "real job" had helped his mental state.
He is working as a labourer a few days a week and has expanded his friendship circle beyond the black line of the pool.
"I'd never worked a day in my life apart from swimming, which I think is great because my job is the best gig in the world but at some point I'm going to have to transition into the real world," Chalmers said.
"Being able to put myself out there in that world where I'm the bottom of the ranks in an industry I love and am passionate about, I love nothing more than going to work.
"I think it's making me a whole lot happier in the pool."
Chalmers has Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medals in the 100m freestyle and won silver in the event in Tokyo but is yet to claim a world title.
With a world record time of 46.86, Romanian star David Popovici will start favourite, but Chalmers believes he can get faster before the July world championships in in Fukuoka, Japan.
"I think this pool (in Melbourne) is slightly slow, if I'm honest," Chalmers said.
"Before Tokyo I was 47.5 seconds. Before world champs in 2019 I was 47.3 in Brisbane. I'm right around the mark.
"I'm never going to talk like I will win but I think I've been around the mark for quite some time.
"A world championship gold medal is something that has evaded me throughout my career and I'm desperate to win before my time is done."
