Legends Ronda Rousey, Michael Phelps & Shaquille O’Neal, All Struggled With the Same Troubles in Life

All the athletes competing in professional sports spend immense amount of time and hard work to make themselves distinct from the pack. While only a handful of them achieve a legendary status, there’s a cost that most athletes pay in the process that usually goes unheard. Ronda Rousey, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael Phelps are a few examples of athletes across various sports opening up about their lowest times.

Six-times UFC bantamweight champion & UFC Hall of Fame Ronda Rousey disclosed how miserable she felt about her first UFC loss on The Ellen Show. ‘Rowdy‘ lost to Holly Holm at UFC 193. This was the first professional loss in her MMA career.

Rousey said, “In the medical room when I was down in the corner, and I was like – what am I anymore if I’m not this?”

“Literally sitting there and like thinking about killing myself and that exact second I’m like, I’m nothing. I’m like, what do I do anymore? And no one gives a sh** about me anymore without this. To be honest, I looked up, and I saw my man Travis was standing there, and I just looked up, and I was like I need to have his babies. I need to stay alive.”

Rousey eventually came back to compete against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Though she lost the bout, her comeback gained a lot of attention and support from MMA fans. The event sold more than a million PPVs and was the most successful fight in terms of numbers for ‘Rowdy’.

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The current WWE athlete, Rousey, and former UFC heavyweight, Travis Browne, had a child in 2021. Besides, ‘Rowdy’ is having a successful stint in the world of Pro-Wrestling. This shows the larger-than-life athlete overcame the distressing phase.

Shaquille O’Neal talked about his low point

The NBA legend, who has achieved everything incident the court, shared light on his depression phase on The Pivot Podcast.

‘Shaq‘ said, “I had it all, and I don’t make excuses. I know I messed up. And you know when I didn’t have that, I don’t like to use the D-word, but we all know what it is. I was lost, 76,000 square-foot house by yourself – lost.”

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The 7-footer, Shaquille O’Neal, who is always in the limelight for one thing or the other, had his struggles with mental health that even the most accomplished Olympic athletes had.

Michael Phelps discussed his depression phase

The winner of 28 Olympic medals talked to CNN and shared his experience with depression.

Phelps said, “You know, I think there’s an understanding that it’s okay to not be okay. You know, like look like I was able to do some pretty incredible things in the swimming pool and I struggled outside as well, you know. I mean, there was a part of my life I didn’t want to be alive.”

“Two or three weeks ago, I went through a pretty scary depression spell. You know this is something that’s going to continue to happen in my life. But the more I can learn about myself and understand why I’m going through these things and kind of sharpening up my tools. It’s going to make my life better, more exciting and I can teach other people, or it can help other people, and I think that’s just something that’s so important to me.”

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Phelps has brought up this topic on numerous occasions. He has spoken about athletes getting multiple trainers to help them with their physical health. However, they don’t get the same treatment for their mental health.

What are your thoughts on athletes opening up about their mental health? Let us know in the comments section below.