#494: Michael Phelps and Grant Hackett — Two Legends on Competing, Overcoming Adversity, Must-Read Books, and Much More

15 snips

Jan 21, 2021

Guest

Michael Phelps

Guest

Grant Hackett

Michael Phelps, a swimming icon with 28 Olympic medals, and Grant Hackett, an Australian legend with 58 medals, dive deep into the realms of competition and mental health. They discuss their personal journeys, emphasizing resilience and camaraderie amidst adversity. From innovative sleep strategies to the power of must-read books, they share valuable insights on recovery techniques and daily commitment in sports training. Their candid reflections on navigating mental health challenges aim to destigmatize these issues and inspire others to embrace vulnerability.

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ANECDOTE

2004 Olympics 1500m Freestyle

Grant Hackett got pneumonia from overtraining and had a partially collapsed lung during the 2004 Olympics 1500m freestyle.
Despite this, he pushed through intense pain, even surpassing his world record pace in the final 100 meters, demonstrating the power of competition.

ANECDOTE

2016 200m Butterfly

Michael Phelps found the 2016 200m butterfly particularly challenging, feeling he would have lost if it were longer.
He attributes pain-free races to preparation, highlighting its importance in competition.

INSIGHT

Training and Data

Phelps and Hackett possessed an innate feel for the water and were driven by a constant desire to improve.
Their shared competitive spirit and meticulous tracking of performance data fueled their exceptional training.

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How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals

Michael Phelps

Alan Abrahamson

Ward Jenkins

This book is a fun and imaginative tale that shares Michael Phelps' incredible journey to winning eight gold medals. It combines humor with lessons on dedication and hard work, making it perfect for young readers who love adventure and sports.

No limits

The Will to Succeed

Michael Phelps

In 'No Limits: The Will to Succeed,' Michael Phelps shares the secrets to his extraordinary success, from his training regimen and mental preparation to his passion for swimming. The book delves into the hard work, commitment, and sacrifices that catapulted Phelps into the international spotlight. It highlights memorable races, valuable lessons from his career, and the wisdom gained from overcoming challenges and obstacles. Phelps and co-author Alan Abrahamson provide a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a world champion, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, determination, and believing in oneself to achieve any goal.

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism[4][5][6].

The Book of Awakening

Mark Nepo

This book invites readers on a journey to awaken to the beauty of life, overcoming the monotony of routine existence. Mark Nepo’s prose serves as a daily guide, providing reflections and exercises designed for self-exploration. The book emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, friendship, resilience, personal reflection, and emotional healing. It is a transformative tool intended for practical living, helping readers to stay present and find strength in adversity through a spiritual lens[3][4][5].

Good to Great

Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't

Jim Collins

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

What It Takes

The Way to the White House

Richard Ben Cramer

In this comprehensive and engaging book, Richard Ben Cramer provides an in-depth analysis of the 1988 U.S. presidential election. The book delves into the lives and campaigns of the major candidates, including George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Joe Biden, Gary Hart, and others. Cramer's narrative explores the personal and political aspects of each candidate, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of what it takes to run for the highest office in the United States.

Beneath the surface

My Story

Michael Phelps

In this memoir, Michael Phelps shares his personal and professional journey, from setting his first world swimming record in 2001 to becoming an Olympic legend. The book delves into his struggles with attention deficit disorder, the impact of his parents' divorce, and the challenges of being in the limelight. It also provides insights into his training, mental preparation, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on international athletic competitions. The memoir chronicles Phelps's evolution from an awkward teenager to a record-breaking athlete, making it a must-read for sports fans.

Shoe Dog

Phil Knight

Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way[1][3][4].

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday

In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

Purpose Driven Life

Rick Warren

In 'The Purpose Driven Life', Rick Warren guides readers through a personal 42-day spiritual journey to transform their understanding of life's purpose. The book addresses three fundamental questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What on Earth am I here for? Warren emphasizes that real meaning and significance come from understanding and fulfilling God’s eternal purposes for each person. The book is divided into short chapters, each designed to be read as a daily devotional, and includes God's five purposes for life: to love God, to be part of His family, to become like Christ, to serve Him, and to tell others about Him[2][4][5].

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Mark Manson

In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning. He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths. The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.

The Power of Now

A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

Eckhart Tolle

In 'The Power of Now', Eckhart Tolle discusses the importance of living in the present moment to achieve spiritual enlightenment. The book draws from various spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and mysticism, to explain how people's emotional problems are rooted in their identification with their minds. Tolle argues that the present moment is the only truly real time and that past and future are mere mental constructs. He provides methods for relaxation and meditation to help readers anchor themselves in the present, such as avoiding multitasking, spending time in nature, and letting go of worries about the future. The book also introduces concepts like the 'pain-body' and the distinction between one's thoughts and true self, emphasizing the need to recognize and separate from the destructive influence of the mind[2][4][5].