?Afraid of Just Letting Go? 23X Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps Once Opened Up About Struggles to Embrace His Real Side

While the magnificent career of the swimming legend, Michael Phelps, can be best described by his unmatchable record of 28 Olympic medals across four Olympic appearances, his darkest phase can be described by his undealt emotions, suppressed feelings, and an abandoned relationship.?

The journey was filled with challenges. He fought with conviction and awareness. It was a time when he desperately needed change to help his mental health survive. In an interview before the 2016 Olympics, Phelps opened up about the difficult phase after the 2008 Olympics.?

Michael Phelps sought intervention in a rehab facility

In the interview, Phelps shared he didn?t feel like competing in the 2012 Olympics. Explaining further, he said,?“I think I was just over it. I think personally I had a lot of struggle getting through the four years after ’08.”

It was followed by several events that broke him down- two arrests, a damaging photo, and a worsening relationship with his long-time coach, Bowman.

He spent days curling up in bed. Moreover, his mind was brimming with suicidal thoughts. Eventually, he was convinced to seek help in a rehab facility. He struggled amidst a myriad of thoughts. Phelps shared that he reached a point where something needed to change. ?And I needed to figure things out.? Fair to say, Phelps made the right decision to seek answers within.

READ MORE:?Looked at Myself as an Athlete Not a Human?- Michael Phelps Struggled With Finding Self Love During His Legendary Olympic Career

“I don’t know if it was, like, afraid of just letting go and showing who I am or what it was.? Finally, he gave his thoughts an ?enough is enough? signal when he stated, ?’You know what? Screw this. I’m not, I’m not hiding behind anything anymore. I am who I am. And, and you don’t like it, it’s really not my issue, and it’s not my problem.'”?

Phelps completed 45 days in rehab before restarting his practice for the 2016 Olympics

Before joining the rehab, he sent himself down a downward spiral. He made a conscious effort to bring things back to control. He sought to address several issues?lack of interest, missing practice sessions, unending thoughts of hopelessness, etc.?

After spending 45 days at the rehab, he was prepared to open a fresh chapter in his life. He restored his former self to a better shape and energy. In his words: “I want to retire how I want to retire. And I have a great opportunity to do that. I mean, I haven’t trained like this in a decade.” He went on to win 6 medals in the 2016 Olympics and retired with a sense of contentment.?

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