Athletes, especially swimmers, devote years of hard work to reach the pinnacle of their sport. It all starts with a dream that many fail to realize in their lifetime. However, Michael Phelps has seen this dream transform into reality not once but 28 times. The legendary swimmer has stood atop the podium a total of 28 times at the Olympic Games over the period of his illustrious career. Now, as the 38-year-old is retired from swimming and expecting his fourth offspring, the tale of his genesis is still unexplored. So, let’s dive in!

Michael Phelps was born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he trained for years to become the greatest swimmer in the world. From a child who had ADHD to becoming one of the most successful athletes with over 100 million dollars in the bank. Here’s more about his intriguing journey.

Michael Phelps’ unconventional journey

Michael Fred Phelps was born to all-around athlete and state trooper Fred Phelps and Debbie Phelps, who was a middle school principal. Debbie Phelps was a loving albeit strict mother who raised him and his sisters to be independent. Michael Phelps had ADHD and could not excel in his studies. One of his teachers’ prognoses was he “would never amount to anything and I would never be successful”. 

But, the young Phelps, aged just nine, took it as a challenge, and his mum was by his side to help him along. Although his teachers, even those at the kindergarten level, were reluctant to help him learn, Debbie Phelps spared no effort to teach him. The same goes for his swimming lessons, which Michael Phelps took up at the age of seven.

The young Michael Phelps dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion one day and following in the footsteps of greats like Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan. However, he lacked the focus an Olympian requires to clinch the victory. Debbie Phelps sought medical help and also reduced his sugar intake to keep his energy levels stable. She knew Michael Phelps could achieve anything he set his mind to and found the right support in Bob Bowman.

The coach had stayed by his side for the entirety of his swimming career and helped him rise to the top. Under his guidance, he made the US national B team at 14. Bowman helped keep his mind off the troubles at home and focussed on his training. So many years later, Phelps went back to those troubling memories and exposed his biggest regret.

Michael Phelps regrets parents’ divorce

Michael Phelps’ parents filed for divorce just as he was getting over his fear of swimming. As a kid with ADHD, he could not put his face underwater, which is essential for a competitive swimmer. Bob Bowman took things slow and gradually expelled that fear from his mind.

He learned to use the full capacity of his lungs and go breathless for an unprecedented amount of time. Phelps dedicated himself to training and did not pay mind to the problems at home. While his mother was busy with the legal proceedings, his sisters took turns to raise him.

Read More: “My Kids Not Crazy”: Michael Phelps’ Wife Opens Up On The Reality Behind Kids’ Unusual Behavior

At age 38, Michael Phelps revealed his heartfelt wish and deep-seated regret. He said, “As a kid, I always wanted to have dinner as a family but with my parents separated, that didn’t happen often”. Thankfully, he has the solace of recreating that experience with his wife and three kids daily. With the fourth son on the way, Michael Phelps feels optimistic about extending this family tradition to the next generation.

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