“I Thought I Could Fake It”- Michael Phelps Almost Forced His Swimming Career for the Sake of Sponsors

Michael Phelps has a legacy to envy. The American swimmer has been achieving impossible heights in his career from a young age. The swimming legend was not only the best, but he stayed on top for a long time. Phelps took part in a total of five Olympic Games, from 2000 to 2016. And in almost two decades, he has earned 28 Olympic medals and 27 world championship titles.

His achievements result from intense training and hard work, but these developments came at a price. Phelps battled with depression his whole career, and often he considered quitting the sport for good.

Michael Phelps on wanting to quit swimming

When Michael Phelps returned home after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, having won an astounding eight gold medals, his stardom skyrocketed. He went on a global tour of interviews, meet-and-greets, and red carpets. The second he found respite from the schedule, he was involved in a scandal.

The swimming GOAT was photographed with a bong at a party in South Carolina, and the picture went viral. USA Swimming suspended Phelps for three months, and he lost some big sponsorships. After the 2009 world championships, where he won 5 gold medals, things got even worse.

Phelps told ESPN that he wanted to quit, but his sponsorship obligations restricted him. “I had to go another four years. There was no other option,” he said. “I thought I could fake it. Just do a little bit and fake my way through it. And I almost did.”

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His relationship with his coach deteriorated, and by the time London came around, probably nobody hated swimming more than Michael Phelps.

Phelps’ battle with post-Olympic depression

In many interviews, Phelps has spoken at length about his struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. He claims that the period immediately after an Olympic Games is the hardest. His first experience with the post-Olympic depression came after the 2004 Games in Athens.

“[You] work so hard for four years to get to that point, and then it’s like you’re…at the top of the mountain. You’re like what the hell am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go? Who am I?” Phelps told Healthline.

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The swimmer suffered incredible lows in his life, contemplating suicide after his DUI in 2014, being one of them. But he turned to therapy, gained perspective, and continued to work on himself so that he could get better. He became an advocate for mental health issues amongst athletes, and his continuing efforts to spread awareness will permanently be a part of his legacy.