Growing up, Michael Phelps didn’t have his father around. His parents split up when he was nine years old and the Coach Bob Bowman tried to fill that fatherhood void to an extent. But the absence of his biological father bothered him for a long time. Therefore, when his therapist suggested he should seek help from his dad during his worst phases, he was uncertain about the idea.

The world recognizes Michael Phelps as the man who won 23 gold medals at the Olympics. Or the man who shattered almost every world record in swimming. However, besides that glory and stardom is a man who went through a life-ending mental health crisis. In 2014, Phelps faced his second DUI arrest. It was undoubtedly the darkest period of his life when the most decorated Olympian even had suicidal thoughts.

Why did Michael Phelps avoid confrontation with his dad?

When you live away from a person for that long, you develop biases in your mind. Phelps didn’t see his father for a substantial time period. Therefore, the idea of having a conversation with him at his worst made him a little uncomfortable. He said, “When my therapist said invite him for the family weekend I was like, why? It’ll be just another letdown that he’ll give me in my life and I don’t want a letdown. I don’t want that fear of rejection once again.”

However, to answer Phelps’ question, “Why would I even waste my time in doing this?” his therapist replied, “if you do this and he doesn’t come, at least you know where he stands?”

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Though he was glad that he listened to his therapist’s advice and got in touch with his father. Fred did show up and helped his son emerge from his worst ever downfall.

No more snakes dream for Phelps

According to the swimming legend, he suffered from a recurring dream since childhood about snakes. However, once he reconnected with his father after years, the snake dreams just vanished into the thin air.

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About the whole experience, Phelps said, “It’s kind of weird,” Phelps stated. “Once my father and I started talking, I haven’t had a dream about snakes since.” 

However, today they are on good terms and Michael, himself is a proud  family man and father to 3 sons.