Home/Gymnastics

via Getty

via Getty

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.”

via Getty

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???

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

READ MORE: ?Oh My God! I Touched Him?: Michael Phelps Was Already a Celebrity in School Even Before He Won His First Olympic Gold

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.

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch this story:?6?11ft Tall NBA Icon Kevin Durant With Michael Phelps in One of the Iconic Moments of Olympics

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT