“Seen Me Go Up and Down”: Michael Phelps Once Showed Priceless Gratitude to His Former Ms. California Wife for Being His Savior for 15 Years

Michael Phelps’ life is an open book now, thanks to the constant media scrutiny. However, Phelps didn’t prefer to open up much until 2015. Until 2015, people only knew about his swimming legacy. Notably, Phelps is considered the GOAT of swimming with several records to his name. He is also the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals.

But in 2015, things changed. when he was publically opened up in an interview about his mental issues. Since then, there has been no turning back. Throughout the process, there was one person who stood beside him through it all and supported him and his family, no matter what he went through. 

Michael Phelps’ wife kept the family glued together in challenging times

Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson got married in 2016. However, they fell in love and began dating back in 2009, which lasted for seven long years. Nicole, being Michael’s partner, has seen it all. The times when Phelps felt like a conqueror and the other times when he had been depressed. Earlier this year, Phelps, while talking with ‘Today,’ Phelps expressed his gratitude to his wife for everything.

Phelps said, “For 15 years, Nicole has seen me go up and down. There’s no other person that would be able to support me like she has. She’s the glue that holds all of us together.” Nicole has always understood Phelps and kept him cool. Moreover, she has managed to glue the kids and him together.

READ MORE- “It’s a Scary Beast”: Michael Phelps’ Wife Nicole Johnson Gave Her Thoughts on Kids Taking Forward His Legacy During an Interview in 2019

Phelps added, “Sometimes my kids will just see me leave the room. And that’s because I’m overwhelmed, and my emotions are firing on all cylinders and I can’t think straight.” Nicole made these times easier by clearing out things with the kids and making them understand the situation and keeping the peace among the family.

Phelps doesn’t want other athletes to go through the same

Be it success, failures, severe depression, or anxiety, Phelps has seen it all. It must have been extremely difficult to go through so much in mind and still win medals and break records. He remained strong and worked even harder for his goals. As he has said, he worked 365 days without any off days.

However, after retirement, Phelps is working as a mental health advocate. He doesn’t want other athletes to go through a similar mental state he went through. He is trying to work independently without the board’s support to make communication better between the players and their health advisors. Phelps is on a mission to make the management better for mental illness.

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According to Michael Phelps, he feels very lucky to have Nicole as his wife. He believes no one else could have had the patience and will to keep up with him other than her. That’s what partners do.