In recent years, mental well-being among sports persons has become more of a talking point than ever before. From Simone Biles to Michael Phelps, multiple stars have come out advocating for their colleagues’ mental happiness at every chance they get. For Caeleb Dressel, it’s no different.

For Caeleb Dressel, winning medals has seldom been the top priority. Instead, being there when his family needed him has remained one of Dressel’s top priorities on his to-so list. Pulling out from the San Antonio TYR Pro Swim Series in January was the perfect example of how Dressel prioritizes his personal obligations. His advocacy for mental health has been so strong that even an iconic veteran of the sport had to commend Dressel for his efforts.

Caeleb Dressel gets Rowdy Gaines’ approval on something pertinent

In a recent Women’s Wear Daily article, Dressel talked about how he plans to cement his position at the top of the swimming world at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Obviously, the issue of how he’s coping with mental health in the face of steep expectations also came up. “The mental side of the sport has been the biggest difference for me this year,” said Caeleb, who went on hiatus in 2022 citing his mental troubles. Since then, he has become one of the flag-bearers of spreading awareness about the issue, and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

The 1984 Olympics gold medalist Rowdy Gaines hailed Dressel in the article for how the latter has impacted the community with his approach to mental happiness. “What he’s done outside the pool with his mental health quest will leave a much bigger legacy in the long run,” said the legendary figure in the American swimming fraternity.

“When I was a swimmer, it was suck it up or else because you don’t want to give any of your rivals the least bit of advantage,” said Gaines about things used to be back in the day, but sounded grateful for the changes ushered by Caeleb and others. He also went on to claim that Caleb’s activities have helped the fifteen-time world champ to be a more relatable figure, and an easy one to root for.

Dressel’s long journey finally awaits a culmination

Right after the Tokyo Olympics, Caeleb Dressel experienced severe depression, which he attributed to a voice in his head that he calls “the critic”. It was this voice that told him his five gold medal-hauling performance in Tokyo could have been even better. Succumbing to his inner devil and intrusive thoughts, Dressel had to quit the 2022 World Championships mid-way but he knew his journey couldn’t end there.

However, his return to the pool wasn’t an easy one. When he resumed action ahead of the 2023 US Nationals, Caeleb struggled to get back his mojo. “I got to that point where I was like if I don’t break a World Record at whatever event, then my career is a waste,” said Caeleb in an interview later as he noted how practice after the nine-month break seemed like an insurmountable feat. The US Olympic Team Trials begin tomorrow in Indianapolis, and Caeleb will be eyeing a spot in the national team for his third straight Games.