Michael Phelps, the legendary swimmer with the most Olympic medals, shares his heartfelt insights on the mental health struggles in elite sports. He discusses the pivotal role of coaches in an athlete's life, like his own mentor Bob Bowman, emphasizing trust and open communication. Phelps dives into the unique mental health challenges athletes face, from ADHD to the pressures of competition and retirement. He advocates for greater awareness and support in sports culture, highlighting the importance of sharing success stories and proactive mental health strategies.
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Phelps's Mental Health Struggles
Michael Phelps experienced depression after the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
He also had two DUIs, highlighting that even top athletes struggle.
insights INSIGHT
Mental Health in Elite Athletes
Elite athletes face high rates of mental health issues.
A 2020 study found one in six international athletes reported suicidal thoughts.
question_answer ANECDOTE
ADHD in Athletes
Both Michael Phelps and Roger Federer experienced ADHD.
Phelps learned to channel his ADHD-related frustrations into productive outlets.
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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.
10X Is Easier Than 2X
Dan Sullivan
Benjamin Hardy
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.
Stolen Focus
Steven C. Lambert
In 'Stolen Focus', Johann Hari delves into the reasons behind the collapse of our ability to pay attention. He discusses various factors contributing to this issue and provides strategies on how to think deeply again and reclaim our focus in a world filled with distractions.
The Winner Effect
Ian Robertson
The golden rule
Percy Stickney Grant
"Bob, the only coach I’ve ever had. He had trained me, punished me, motivated me, inspired me, and proven to me the connection between hard work and success. Bob has long been one of the very few people in my life to tell me the unadulterated truth, even when I didn’t want to listen. Perhaps most important, especially when I didn’t want to hear it."
Outside of athletes, coaches may be the most important figures in all of sport. Often they start as parents or non-professionals eventually evolving into people who coach full time. Michael had one coach his whole career in Bob Bowman. Other athletes like Tiger Woods and Roger Federer have had many through their careers.
In this episode we try to answer, what is the role of the coach? What is the breadth of value a coach can offer to an athlete. As part of this discovery, we also look into how coaches and athletes can communicate and build trust. Finally, we examine the role of the athletes themselves.
00:00:00 Intro
00:11:24 Outlining What is Possible
00:17:43 Setting Standards
00:29:48 Creating a Gameplan
00:37:40 Thinking Long Term
00:43:08 Research
00:49:57 Creating Adversity
00:58:34 Protecting the Athlete
01:02:55 Motivation
01:12:24 Goals
01:16:35 Perspective
01:20:11 Transparency
01:43:10 Building Trust
01:46:55 The Role of the Athlete
Resources - Books
- Beneath the Surface (Autobiography): https://amzn.to/4eJK4fk
- No Limits (Autobiography): https://amzn.to/4h7zjVR
- The Golden Rules: https://amzn.to/48g2vGb
- 10X is Easier than 2X: https://amzn.to/4faohhe
Resources - Podcasts:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9yrT2c-yyU&ab_channel=BlueWire
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-WwtG625sI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISuQHEUpJW8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG5pLBH4-9s
Resources - YouTube:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjtJLu5F24
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheXi-r-hdU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMVZp0X_gw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25c1ZYVF_f8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1gqy5KJhww
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsBk_U8mhQA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCPAl1yPKGk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LoPcX1U3FU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsk9At6aEU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErcP2VIbgus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ZZS0qrVNw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4YYKk-60I - Calories Burned in Pool
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr-wf-EevUc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xagTJo_vGTk - Characteristics of Champions
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkqjHRN11NM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4fEglWqms
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl1LJx1JEjU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OelU90hH0QA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmIUibhpyPc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Kma3WLbTQ
Resources - Articles and Movies
- https://www.si.com/olympics/2015/11/09/michael-phelps-rehabilitation-rio-2016
- The Weight of Gold
The Exponential Athlete | Sports Performance 
