When a person hears Michael Phelps’ name, they must wonder about the retired swimmer’s dashing athletic career. He secured 23 Olympic gold medals and kept the bars high in the sport until he retired in 2016. However, despite being an athlete of such a high caliber, Phelps faced his demons in his life, causing a big decline in his mental health.

Since he knows how difficult it is to battle those hardships in life, he has never shied away from talking about it. Furthermore, Phelps has had his fair share of support systems in life, especially his pet dog, Onyx, who has helped him overcome these challenges in the long run. So with a proper insight into mental health problems, there’s certain advice that the retired swimmer has provided that could help millions of men out there.

Just a special kind of therapy

Michael Phelps is a family man and always makes the most out of any opportunity where he has to be with his children and wife. However, he also considers his pets as his children and never makes them feel left out in the house. Indeed, he’s a ‘superdad,‘ but why is he so attached to his pets? During the darkest times of his life, struggling with mental health, he found himself with a support system led by his pets. 

Especially during those moments, Phelps spent a lot of time with Onyx. Speaking to People, he revealed the way his dog adds value to everything he does in life, making it more enjoyable and giving a positive structure to his mind. “When we’re out running, she always wants to be faster than you. She always wants to get ahead of me. She’s so super strong, so I have to let her win. She just fuels me to be able to be the best me. And I think that competitiveness I’ll never lose,“ said the multiple-times Olympic champion.

Despite retiring from swimming, Phelps finds himself with his dog, who makes his competitiveness spark once in a while. However, those are the little things that contribute to his betterment of mental health, which he went candid about, stating, “She’s somebody that can sense my feelings and emotions and understand when I’m having a good or bad day. It’s the simple things like her just coming and giving me love — just nudging me. It’s her telling me she’s there to support and help me. Those small things mean so much.”

Indeed, Onyx couldn’t directly talk to Phelps for obvious reasons. However, these little gestures that the dog makes eventually strengthen their bond and clear the looming dark clouds over his head, bringing an uplifting mood. Furthermore, Phelps is aware of a concerning statistic, as out of 165 million men in the United States, only 40% of them received mental health care services in the past year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. “Vulnerability is such a scary word for a lot of people,” said the retired swimmer, while speaking to Fortune, pointing out the root cause of these problems. 

Phelps had also encountered his demons along the way, and he knows how hard it was. Therefore, he extends his support to all men and suggests that they consider therapy, as it has significantly improved his own life. Combining the therapy with having a supportive pet has made him a man who thinks positively and wants others to heal from their traumas. And because his dog has been a vital part of his journey for a long time, he has developed a close bond with his pet. Furthermore, the moment Phelps welcomed Onyx into his family for the first time was a momentous occasion.

Michael Phelps’ grand welcome to pet

“Merry Christmas!!!! Welcome, Onyx!! (Onyx is our new 🐶.)” Phelps wrote in an Instagram post back in December 2021. The photograph was also special as it was simple yet elegant, featuring Phelps, his wife Nicole, and their three sons at that time, Boomer, Beckett Richard, and Maverick. Posing in front of the Christmas tree, they all were donning proper outfits for the special occasion. 

In addition to his passion for swimming, Phelps is well-known for his affinity towards dogs. He and his wife have been caring for some of their dogs for a long time, with Onyx being a significant addition to their family. Later on, in 2024, the couple welcomed their fourth son, Nico. However, the retired swimmer has revealed how he has received many questions about any hints towards his fifth child, especially a daughter. But he considers his pets as his children only, and as Onyx is a female dog, she is no less than a daughter for Phelps. Indeed, they form a wholesome family, which plays a crucial role in maintaining his mental health.