Mike Nemesvary – World Class Skier to Quadraplegic to Round the World Challenge and Back Up Founder

Mike Nemesvary is one of Canada’s most accomplished freestyle skiers and his life is being celebrated.

At age 15, Mike Nemesvary set his goal to become the best freestyle skier in the world. By the mid 80’s Mike held more than 40 titles in his sport including 3 World Cup Victories; 18 World Cup Podiums; 3 European; 11 Canadian and 5 British Championships.

Mike also developed a successful sideline as a skier and stunt performer in a number of TV commercials and feature films including James Bond’s “A View To A Kill” and Willy Bogner’s “Fire and Ice.”

On May 18th, 1985 Mike’s life dramatically changed during a routine trampoline workout when he attempted a double twisting, double back somersault and blacked-out, landing on his neck instantly becoming a high level quadriplegic, paralysed from the chest down and losing full use of his legs, arms and hands. Following months of intensive rehabilitation Mike picked up the pieces and began to rebuild his life. He moved into an accessible home, learned to drive a modified sports car and became a proficient sit skier.

“In a moment, in a heartbeat, your life can change. And yet, you find when it changes that there are reserves of strength, reserves of resourcefulness, reserves of energy that you can call on to go forward… Nobody exemplifies that better than Mike.” — Christopher Reeve

Wanting to share his life-affirming approach he started The Back Up Trust; a very successful UK-Based charity raising more than $20 million to enable people with spinal cord injuries to reintegrate back into society and surpass their aspirations by facilitating challenging sports.

Even after his accident, he decided to try to break the world toboggan speed record at Les Arcs in France in 1987. He only managed only to delight onlookers and look badass in a metallic speeder.

Mike then decided to take the ultimate challenge by becoming the first quadriplegic to drive unassisted around the world. More than seven years in development, the ‘Round the World Challenge was a gruelling circumnavigation lasting seven months, through 20 countries and clocking more than 40,000 kilometres. While navigating some of the most treacherous roads, enduring the most extreme weather Mike & Jigger in conditions and temperatures on the planet, Mike also surmounted continual inaccessible stops and accommodations in an unrelenting, exhausting daily schedule. During the formidable odyssey,

Mike also managed to visit 40 medical institutions, gave 52 speaking engagements and wrote weekly columns. The ‘Round the World Challenge’ successfully culminated in the Fall of 2001 and raised more than $1.5 million for spinal cord injury rehabilitation and research. His accomplishments received numerous honours and recognition in many countries including the “Key to the City” in Ottawa and the “Meritorious Service Medal” from the Governor General of Canada.

Mike has been a champion of the disabled cause, raising awareness around the world for people in similar circumstances.

Back Up

Where Back Up began and where we are now, may look far apart. But our values and our aspirations for people with spinal cord injury were the same in 1986 as they are today.p
Mike Nemesvary, our founder, was a world champion freestyle skier with numerous TV and film appearances, including performing stunts on the James Bond film, A View to a Kill. Aged just 24, Mike’s life changed forever. During a routine training session on a trampoline, he landed awkwardly and broke his neck.

The impact on Mike and his loved ones was devastating. Not only was he paralysed from the shoulders down, he’d also lost his greatest love – skiing. But Mike was determined to change this.

Mike and friends close to him realised that there was still a way for Mike to get back up the mountain. And by getting back up, he would regain his zest for life and self belief. Within eight months, Mike was in Switzerland learning to sit ski. In 1986, with the help of our co-founders, Barbara Broccoli, Konrad Bartelski, Jess Stock, from the film and skiing industries, Mike set up Back Up so that everyone affected by spinal cord injury could experience the freedom and fun of life on the slopes that he enjoyed.

Where Back Up began and where we are now, may look far apart. But our values and our aspirations for people with spinal cord injury were the same in 1986 as they are today.

Mike Nemesvary, our founder, was a world champion freestyle skier with numerous TV and film appearances, including performing stunts on the James Bond film, A View to a Kill. Aged just 24, Mike’s life changed forever. During a routine training session on a trampoline, he landed awkwardly and broke his neck.

The impact on Mike and his loved ones was devastating. Not only was he paralysed from the shoulders down, he’d also lost his greatest love – skiing. But Mike was determined to change this.

Mike set up Back Up so that everyone affected by spinal cord injury could experience the freedom and fun of life on the slopes that he enjoyed.

Since the first ski course we organised, Back Up has grown more than Mike, Barbara, Konrad and Jess could have ever dreamed. People with spinal cord injury of all ages including children are now supported with a range of services. We now offer wheelchair skills training, mentoring, and support getting back to school and work and help for families – reaching more than 1,000 people every year.

From help getting back to school or work to getting the most out of your wheelchair, all our services continue to deliver Mike’s vision. A world where everyone with a spinal cord injury can fulfil their potential.

Round the World Challenge 2021

Mike Nemesvary was one of the most gifted sportsmen in the world. Canadian, British and European Freestyle Skiing champion, at 24 he had everything to look forward to. On the 18th of May 1985, whilst training on his trampoline, Mike fell. He broke his neck and is now permanently paralysed from his shoulders down. This is a film about a man’s ambition to live.

An internationally acclaimed full length documentary film by Interface Productions/S.P.A. Ltd./Aspect Films in association with Channel Four.

The sequel to the highly acclaimed “Same Game-Different Rules”, “Taking On The World” looks at Mike Nemesvary a year after his tragic spinal cord injury leaving him a high level quadriplegic. Once the finest freestyle ski champion that Britain ever produced, a man who performed in James Bond films as well as on the world championship circuits. In 1986 he hoped to become the world freestyle champion and be training for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. 1986 proved to be a year of coping with his injury and forging ahead in a different direction.