I Felt Left Out”: Sharing Same Health Issue as Will Smith and Michael Phelps, Olympian Reveals Horrors of Childhood

Will Smith and Michael Phelps are two of the legends of their respective domains, Smith has achieved some notable milestones as an actor including an Academy Award, whereas Phelps, on the other hand, was in a league of his own before taking retirement from swimming. Despite having contrasting personalities and professional careers, there is a commonality between the two.

It’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a health condition that both Phelps and Smith have been through during their childhood, which they have opened up about publicly as well. In a similar vein, an English Olympian had also encountered the same health condition.

The same health struggles as Michael Phelps

It’s the swimming prodigy James Guy of the United Kingdom who was diagnosed with ADHD, an illness in which the affected individual encounters consistent tendencies toward inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, which ultimately hinders their personality growth. In a conversation with BBC Sport, he said that he didn’t excel academically in school, often requiring teachers to repeat instructions several times for comprehension in a similar fashion as Will Smith. “I felt left out. My friends would laugh and take the mick. I didn’t take notice of it because they were my best mates, but it was quite embarrassing,” Guy said in his statement.

He further stated that his school was helping him with the sickness, but there weren’t sufficient resources available during that time, which made it even more difficult for him. He also added that distraction has been a constant part of his life, and he faces challenges in keeping himself focused. The double Olympic gold medalist also discussed the aftermath of the issues that he was facing and how they swayed his professional life.

The problem persisted with him

Even though he was seeing a psychologist to receive the treatment, there are reports that 80 percent of people with ADHD face mental health problems later in their lives. Which kind of happened with Guy as well; he used to get anxious about his competitions despite the distant schedule, which led to a bloated stomach or even a loss of appetite. But the swimmer has learned to manage it in a much more efficient manner and keeps himself ready with medications as soon as he encounters symptoms of any sickness.

The seven-time European champion states that his family has always been there for him, and they are aware of his condition. With much-needed support by his side, the swimming phenom will be seen participating in the British Swimming Championships happening from April 2 to April 7 to secure his berth for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Read More: 7 Years of Constant Failures Leads to Perfect Comeback for Swimming Champion James Guy; Breaks Down After Podium Finish