?Not Something to Really Be Proud Of?: Despite Idolizing Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps? Believes They Didn?t Have a ?Healthy? Mindset

Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan are paramount to their respective fields. If Phelps is considered one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, then Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA arena. And, for the Baltimore Bullet, Air Jordan is an epitomizing figure. However, though Phelps is a staunch follower of Jordan?s methodologies, there is only one thing the swimming G.O.A.T. is skeptical about.

Recently, while sharing his unfeigned perspective on mental health, Phelps talked about the prominence of having a healthy mindset in competition. Nonetheless, as he stated the importance of staunch competition, the Flying Fish underlined the mindsets that almost all athletes have when they enter their field of play. To begin with, he shared the example of his idol, Michael Jordan, and asserted the similarities he shares with His Airness.

Michael Phelps on Jordan-esque approach

On May 9th, Michael Phelps covered several aspects of cognitive health in an interview with People magazine. Interestingly, he also shared his outlook on having a healthy competitive mindset. He stated, ?I was like Jordan”.

Drawing parallels with other athletes, Phelps conceded that everyone drives with a competitive mindset in order to clinch the winning score. However, he believes that ?there could be a more healthy approach? to the same. ?I probably could have won a couple more gold medals that way. But that?s not something to really be proud of?.

Though Phelps sided with a healthy mindset approach rather than the Jordan-esque one, he admires Michael Jordan and never shies away from going above and beyond for his idol.

Not Jordan-esque but Phelps is in awe of his idol’s persona

In his memoir, ?Beneath The Surface?, Michael Phelps confessed his admiration for the NBA legend and asked how someone can not be “in awe of Michael Jordan?”

He further expressed his encomium for the champion and wrote, ?Basketball just looks like a better game when he plays it?.

Read More: Michael Phelps Once Revealed Why NBA Legend Michael Jordan?s Jersey Number Will ?Always Be Special? for Him

He further mentioned that athletes are not heroes. Instead, they are just people who achieved something extraordinary in their respective arenas. And for him, the athlete who inspired him the most in his career is Air Jordan. Though as a liaison of mental health, Phelps promotes a different competitive approach, he considers Jordan as an epitome of success and unquantifiable passion.?

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