“How Terrible Is the World”-Michael Phelps’ Mother Was Once Deeply Hurt to See Her Son in Crisis

By the end of the 2012 London Olympics, Michael Phelps was already the greatest swimmer in the sport’s history. He had won 22 Olympic medals, out shattered every swimming record, and had created a legacy that will probably live on for decades. However, the law of nature says, what goes up must come down. For Phelps, his downfall began after the 2012 Olympics. The champion retired from swimming and had no idea what came next.

Post-retirement, the idealness had a heavy toll on his mental health. It was a time when he had nothing to focus on and no targets to achieve. Michael Phelps began struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. This dark phase in 2014 led to his second arrest for drunk driving and over-speeding. However, it was at this moment he realized he needed professional help.

How did Debbie Phelps react to the situation?

Just like any other mother, Debbie Phelps was in absolute shock. She remembers she was in school when she received a call from Michael’s agent, Peter Carlisle, about the incident. “I just put my head on the desk,” said Debbie. “I thought, Oh, my God, here we go again. How terrible is the world going to be to my son?” she added. 

The swimming legend’s father, Fred Phelps, also could not digest the news initially. He said, “I asked if Michael was O.K. He said he was O.K. and then gave me the details, and I just thought, Oh, jeez.” 

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Perhaps it’s hard to fathom what might be going inside her mind at the time after watching her son in such a crisis. However, as someone who deeply cared for Michael, with the help of some close friends and other family members, Michael was finally back on track.

Coach Bob Bowman knew Michael Phelps better than anyone else

Phelps’ agent also called coach Bowman after the incident. Though, he was already prepared for the alarming news. Bowman said, “I had been living in fear that I was going to get a call that something had happened. Honestly, I thought, the way he was going, he was going to kill himself. Not take his own life, but something like the DUI, but worse.”

Perhaps the time Bowman spent with Phelps was enough to know his every strength and weakness. He understood him better than anyone else. Coach Bowman knew what drove him to the glory and what could bring him down. Therefore, he motivated him for yet, another Olympic run to give his lost life a purpose. Phelps unretired and won five gold medals at the Rio games, taking his Olympics medal count to 28.

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The quality that led Michael Phelps to an incredible and glorious career was maybe his dedicated, hard-working mindset. Or perhaps his will to never give up. However, the most precious gift that he has is the people around him. They never gave up on him, even in his toughest moments.