Not only has no swimmer come close to Michael Phelps‘s achievements so far, but no other Olympian also stands near him in terms of medal tally either. And yet, it’s easy to get lost in the greatness of the man and forget that he, just like everyone else, might go through the same problems and issues as a human being. It wasn’t until years later that people discovered Phelps’s mental health issues. He has been vocal about it and even opened up about his dangerous thoughts. He credits therapy as a lifesaver for him. In a recent interview, Phelps recalled how he felt after completing his first therapy session. It was as if he breathed a new life after it.

Michael Phelps went on to achieve numerous laurels whilst keeping his mental health issues to himself. It wasn’t until he nearly retired, that he first opened up about it. In an exclusive interview, he spoke even more frankly about the subject and its importance for everyone.

Michael Phelps cannot thank therapy enough

“Leaving the office that day, I felt like a different person”, said Michael Phelps to People magazine, about his first-time experience with therapy. Phelps explained how going to therapy, as in literally entering the elevator to the therapist’s door, was no lesser of a challenge to him than any of his swimming pursuits. He was skeptical, unsure, and doubtful about therapy at first, but little did he know it would change his life forever.

Phelps continued, “I’m sure I cried my eyes out. My shoulders were higher, almost like there was a weight that was taken off of my back”. The Baltimore Bullet opened up completely and felt a childlike vulnerability that has stayed with him ever since. He realized the grave importance of therapy that day, and he forwarded its value to millions of his fans on Instagram recently.

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Phelps has been vocal about his mental health more frequently in recent years. He even shared how he once had suicidal thoughts during a period of depression. But it wasn’t until 2014 that he first talked about it.

From suicide to life-affirming, Phelps’s mental health journey is inspirational

“Coming out and really talking about in 2014 when I was looking suicide in the eye”, shared Phelps about how horrid he felt during the time. He continued, “It took me becoming vulnerable to have a chance at this thing called life”. Micahel Phelps has since been regular with his mental wellness, and he vows every day to work towards it. As the first therapy session was a lifesaving experience for him, Phelps advocates the same to everyone, urging them to take that first step towards positive well-being.

In 2016, Michael Phelps retired after his final appearance at the Rio Olympics. Even though he capped off with 5 gold and a silver, his issues were out in the open by then. A glorious career came to an end, but little did people know for the majority of it, that it was spent in so much internal trouble. And had he not opened up as he neared retirement, people might not have known what even the GOAT of swimming was going through in his life. 

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