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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Michael Phelps (R) of the United States looks on as he stands next to his coach Bob Bowman during a training session ahead of the London Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre in Olympic Park on July 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Michael Phelps (R) of the United States looks on as he stands next to his coach Bob Bowman during a training session ahead of the London Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre in Olympic Park on July 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
According to him, he enjoyed playing basketball as a teenager with his neighborhood friends. Narrating an incident in his book, he?penned, “If we played basketball, the guys would actually call out picks to make sure I didn?t get knocked around.”
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via Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Swimmer Michael Phelps poses with mom Debbie and sister Hilary during the 2009 USA Swimming Foundation Golden Goggles Awards on November 22, 2009 at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) 1
Further, Michael quoted his words with a sarcastic remark, “Corey always joked that he didn?t want Tom Brokaw coming to his door asking, ?How does it feel to ruin Michael?s career???
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But, with the unflappable support of his mother, sisters, friends, and especially his wife, Nicole Johnson, he garnered every opportunity he witnessed and overcame every obstacle, including depression.
Phelps’ bout with depression and how he beat it
In several interviews, Michael has spoken about his battle with depression throughout his career. After the 2012 Olympics, according to the 23-time Olympic gold medalist, he experienced the dark phase. His discomfort was one of the reasons for his early retirement in 2012.
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In addition, in 2012, he split up with his wife Nicole, who was then his girlfriend. He has previously expressed how, despite being showered with love by his family and friends, he felt lonely and isolated. But the year-long break after his retirement helped him clear his mind, and so, he returned to the pool in 2014.
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