“He’s Like A National Treasure”: Michael Phelps’ Coach Wanted Him To Suffer To Teach Him A Crucial Lesson But His Legendary Status Restricted Him

Michael Phelps, the legendary swimmer is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any coach. Coaches like Bowman have a keen eye for talent and will go to any length to bring out the best in a candidate. Bowman was no exception. Bowman struck gold when he least expected it and vowed to make history.

Bowman’s admiration and astonishment for the 11-year-old Phelps’ swimming talent questioned his coaching skills and tried to discover new ways to nurture the incredible, young talent. With time passing by and the achievements Phelps made, nothing seemed more important to the coach than making him more competent.

Michael Phelps, a challenge to Bowman

Phelps raised the bar with every single task. His ambitious temperament fueled Bowman’s coaching aggressiveness to challenge extremely difficult training programs. His coaching style and regime were intense and demanded complete submission. 

Phelps and Bowman would fight, argue, and sometimes just can’t stand each other. There were also times when their fights turned very embarrassing. A massive dent in the door frame, a cracked watch, and extending middle fingers are a few of the outcomes, a result of their collision. 

Bowman in an interview said, “Maybe it was wrong to push him so hard to do these things,” He continued it might not be true as Phelps always looked back at his accomplishments with pride.

Sometimes, it would become too hectic and Phelps would just quit, go to Vegas but feel guilty, and return to practice hard. In 2014, it exceeded the threshold and there was nobody who hated swimming more than Phelps. 

READ MORE: “His Legs Are Massive”: Michael Phelps Also Known for Body Structure, Was Left Dazzled by Usain Bolt on Their First Abrupt Meet After 12 Years of Dominating the Olympics

Phelps displayed complete disobedience and erratic behavior because of stress and obligations from sponsorships. Bowman said, “I wanted to teach him a lesson and let him suffer. But now we can’t because he’s like a national treasure, so we have to keep doing this.”

The cost of being the Olympic God

The G.O.A.T of swimming endured enormous pain and stress during this career. Eventually, there came a point he felt that all the medals and accolades he earned couldn’t give him any solace but made life more complicated. That which every sports person dreams about was present in abundance to him- name, fame, money, but it didn’t give the Olympic God any peace.

He suffered when he had no identity beyond that of a great swimmer. He struggled with an existential crisis and questioned his very existence. 

Phelps said. “I had no self-esteem. No self-worth. I thought the world would just be better off without me. I figured that was the best thing to do — just end my life.” After all the struggles of a broken relationship with his father, a tough and complicated coach, Phelps found comfort in his newborn.

WATCH THIS STORY: Michael Phelps Beats Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Lee and Others to Become World’s Fittest Man Once

For decades, the pool was a great escape for him.  Every Olympic medal Phelps clinched has several tales of sacrifice, endurance, resilience, and hope.