Michael Phelps is one of the first athletes who opened up about mental health issues. After fighting his own battles for about a decade, Phelps finally came out in 2015. It was the effect of getting everything out that he won six medals in the Rio Olympics. He learned about the importance of mental health awareness through his own experiences.

Later, going on in his life, not only for himself but for no other athlete should go through what he went through in his career. He has tried to be so open about his mental health, people must get inspired and come out for therapies without any shame. Recently Phelps recalled the first time he opened up and went to see a therapist.

Michael Phelps’ first visit to the therapist

The firsts are often anxious ones. Similarly, Michael Phelps was extremely nervous when he visited a therapist for the first time. While going to the therapist, Phelps felt this could be a big mistake and can be brutal to him. However, after the therapy, Phelps came to understand that depression and anxiety are not something to avoid but to manage and fight.

In an interview, Phelps said, “I think that was the first time where I actually asked for help, and then I was able to manage it, because I was able to get into a routine of something that was healthy for me. I remember the first time I went to a therapist, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, this is going to s*ck. I don’t want to go in here. This is going to be so brutal’. I walked in and I walked out. I felt like a completely different person.”

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The moment when Phelps felt the magical effect of the therapy and the importance of opening up about mental illness. That moment can be a game-changing moment for several people who are fighting mental illness. This is because Phelps is fighting hard against this issue and trying to make people aware of it as much as he can.

Phelps at war against mental illness

Michael Phelps wasn’t happy about the sports governing body in his time and it hasn’t changed now as well. Phelps thinks the USOPC does not understand the problem. The athletes don’t feel safe and comfortable communicating with the psychologists appointed by them. Phelps is trying to bring changes in communication and wants to fill the gap so that athletes can open up better.

Michael Phelps is really passionate about fighting mental illness. It is not possible to restrict mental pressure and issues, but it can be reduced and managed. He wants to fight this illness and is trying to keep the athletes open up about their issues by building a proper communication bridge.

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Michael Phelps aims to get the athletes into a better space. He wants to take mental health issues as a challenge and fight against them. The efforts he has made in past and is still trying to make are exceptional. The 23-times Olympic gold winner will surely fulfill his dream of seeing athletes competing without anxiety or depression by spreading awareness about what and how to go beyond mental health issues.