There isn't much that can keep Paul Curtis down.

A talented small forward with speed and exceptional strength, Curtis has become one of North Melbourne’s top talents since arriving in 2021, but late last year, the 22-year-old faced a threatening illness.

On an end-of-season trip with Kangaroos teammates in London, Curtis visited the hospital with strong flu symptoms, had a blood test done and was given antibiotics.

"I was taking those for a few days and just thought it was the normal flu," Curtis told NMFC Media.

Feeling aches throughout his body, he headed back to the hospital and continued to take strong medication, staying in London until he felt better to fly.

He then headed to Bali for a planned trip with partner Kelera and was feeling OK until another blood test revealed a serious issue.

"My blood markers were through the roof and at that point they [the doctors] said I need to be hospitalised," Curtis said.

"They let me know that I had pneumonia."

After being on the phone with the North Melbourne doctors, Curtis was medevacked out of Indonesia and into Perth where he had emergency surgery.

"They cut me open and were just draining out all the liquid," he said.

"I was on a drain for three or four days, I had to carry the drain around with me around the hospital ... pulling it out was the worst.

"I could feel the drains coming out of my chest. Then I had one nurse ripping them out and the other nurse ready to tie the knot.

"I was told if I was anyone else and not a fit, young, healthy man, I'd be in a bit of strife, which was pretty scary."

Since his surgery, Curtis' biggest challenge has been rebuilding his lung capacity.

"I couldn't run for much longer than 30 seconds. (I was) limited a lot, even in the gym," he said.

"I  was finding my heart rate going through the roof and not being able to breathe after doing a short run … I felt pain in my chest."

On his return to Arden Street, Curtis has "had to do a hell of a lot of work at his own pace," North Melbourne rehab physiotherapist Tanya Paunovic added.

"He's such a diligent athlete and he's so well liked around the club by players and staff alike because he is such a hard worker and he's really shown that in this rehab," she said.

"To see him back and training and playing footy is pretty amazing."

In a wide-ranging interview with the star forward in the first episode of the 'Make It Happen' documentary series, he also discusses his growth as a person and player through fatherhood, on-field aspirations and passion for golf alongside housemates and teammates Josh Goater, Robert Hansen jnr and Cooper Harvey.

Watch the first episode of 'Make It Happen' via NMFC.com.au or YouTube NOW.