Michael Phelps Opens Up About Struggle With Depression | TODAY

Summary

In this interview, Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian, opens up about his battle with depression despite his swimming triumphs. He discusses his journey, the importance of seeking help, and his advocacy for mental health. Phelps shares his experience with TalkSpace, a mental health service, emphasizing its accessibility and the need to remove the stigma, especially for children. He also talks about being a supportive parent, letting his children choose their own paths without pressure.

Takeaways

• 🏅 Michael Phelps is recognized as the greatest swimmer and Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals, 23 of which are gold.
• 😔 Phelps revealed that even at the peak of his career, he struggled with depression, highlighting that mental health issues can affect anyone.
• 👥 An estimated 1 in 5 adults and a similar number of teenagers are affected by health issues, including mental health.
• 🗣️ Phelps emphasizes the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, especially for athletes.
• 👶 He discusses his personal journey and how he hid his struggles well, even during his successful Olympic career.
• 🔧 In October 2014, Phelps went through a particularly low point, not leaving his house for five days and considering ending his life.
• 💡 The turning point for Phelps was realizing that it's okay to ask for help and not be okay, leading him to seek therapy.
• 📱 Phelps is a shareholder and member of the advisory board for TalkSpace, a service that provides accessible therapy through phones.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Phelps shares his joy of parenting and his approach to letting his children choose their own paths without pressure.
• 🏊 Phelps does not miss competitive swimming and has no intention of returning to it, focusing on his family and mental health.

Q & A

How many medals has Michael Phelps won in total?

Michael Phelps has won 28 medals overall.

How many of Michael Phelps' medals are gold?

Out of his 28 medals, 23 of them are gold.

What personal struggle did Michael Phelps reveal he faced even at the top of his career?

Michael Phelps revealed that even at the top of his career, he was struggling with depression.

What is the estimated percentage of adults affected by health issues like depression?

An estimated 1 in 5 adults are affected by health issues like depression.

What is the estimated percentage of teenagers affected by similar health issues?

The numbers are similar for teenagers, with an estimated 1 in 5 also being affected.

What was Michael Phelps' mindset growing up and during his career?

Michael Phelps was taught that as an athlete, he wasn't allowed to show weakness and was supposed to be strong and push through anything.

What was a significant moment for Michael Phelps that led to a change in his life?

A significant moment for Michael Phelps was in October 2014 when he was on his knees and didn't leave his house for five days, contemplating ending his life. He realized he could ask for help and it's okay to not be okay.

How did Michael Phelps start to address his mental health issues?

Michael Phelps started to address his mental health issues by seeking help from a therapist and opening up about his struggles.

What role does the app TalkSpace play in Michael Phelps' life?

Michael Phelps uses the app TalkSpace to get help whenever he needs it, as it provides access to a therapist 24/7 through his phone.

What is Michael Phelps' approach to parenting and how does his own mental health journey influence it?

Michael Phelps finds parenting to be amazing and exciting. He wants his children to live their own lives and do what makes them happy, without any pressure to follow in his footsteps.

Does Michael Phelps miss swimming and would he consider getting back into it?

Michael Phelps admits to missing swimming at times, but he doesn't see himself getting back into it competitively.

What is Michael Phelps' view on his son Boomer potentially becoming a swimmer?

Michael Phelps supports his son Boomer becoming a swimmer if he wants to, but ultimately wants him to do whatever makes him happy without feeling pressured to live in his shadow.

Outlines

00:00

🏅 Michael Phelps' Battle with Depression

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, discusses his struggle with depression even during the peak of his career. Despite winning 28 medals, including 23 gold, Phelps reveals that he was taught to hide his weaknesses and always appear strong. He admits to hiding his struggles well and was ready to open up during his last Olympics. Phelps emphasizes the importance of seeking help and encourages others to do the same, sharing his own journey with mental health and his use of the service TalkSpace to cope with his depression.

05:02

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Phelps on Parenting and Mental Health

In the second paragraph, the conversation shifts to Phelps' role as a parent and his views on mental health, particularly for children. He discusses the accessibility and importance of services like TalkSpace in breaking the stigma around mental health, especially for kids. Phelps highlights the shocking statistics regarding mental health in teenagers and emphasizes the need for action. He shares his experience as a father, watching his children grow and learn, and his approach to parenting without pressuring his son to follow in his swimming footsteps. Phelps also reflects on his own retirement from swimming, stating he has no desire to return to the sport.

Keywords

💡Depression

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. In the video, Michael Phelps, the renowned swimmer, reveals that even at the pinnacle of his career, he struggled with depression. This keyword is central to the video's theme of mental health struggles among high-performing athletes and the importance of seeking help.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to an individual's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how one thinks, feels, and acts, impacting daily life. The video emphasizes the prevalence of mental health issues, with 1 in 5 adults and teenagers affected, and Michael Phelps' personal journey to address his depression, encouraging others to seek help.

💡Olympian

An Olympian is an athlete who competes in the Olympic Games. Michael Phelps is referred to as the 'Greatest Olympian of All Time' due to his record-breaking 28 medals, including 23 gold. The term 'Olympian' in the video highlights the pressure and expectations placed on elite athletes and the potential for mental health struggles despite their outward success.

💡Struggle

A struggle refers to a difficult fight or conflict, often against adversity. In the context of the video, Phelps discusses his internal struggles with depression, which he hid from the public. The keyword 'struggle' is used to convey the challenges faced by individuals, even those who appear to be highly successful.

💡Help

Help denotes the act of providing assistance or support to someone in need. Phelps shares his realization that it's okay to ask for help and that doing so was a turning point in his battle with depression. The video uses this keyword to encourage viewers to seek assistance when facing personal challenges.

💡Therapist

A therapist is a trained professional who helps individuals with mental health issues, including depression. Phelps mentions seeing a therapist as a part of his healing process. The term 'therapist' is used in the video to illustrate the professional support available to those dealing with mental health struggles.

💡Stigma

Stigma refers to a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. The video discusses the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the need to remove it, especially for children, to encourage open conversations and help-seeking behavior.

💡TalkSpace

TalkSpace is an online therapy service that provides accessible mental health support through a mobile app. Phelps mentions being a shareholder and member of the advisory board for TalkSpace, highlighting the convenience and importance of such services in addressing mental health issues.

💡Parenting

Parenting refers to the process of raising and guiding children. Phelps discusses his experience as a parent and the joy it brings him, contrasting it with his past struggles. The keyword 'parenting' is used to show a positive aspect of Phelps' life post-swimming career.

💡Success

Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. The video script contrasts Phelps' outward success as a record-breaking Olympian with his internal struggles, illustrating that success does not necessarily equate to happiness or freedom from mental health issues.

💡Shadow

In the context of the video, 'shadow' metaphorically refers to the influence or legacy left by someone's achievements or status. Phelps expresses his desire for his son not to feel pressured by his accomplishments, wanting him to forge his own path. The term 'shadow' is used to discuss the impact of parental success on children.

Highlights

Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer and Olympian, discusses his struggles with depression.

Phelps has won 28 medals, including 23 gold, but still faced mental health challenges.

He reveals that even at the peak of his career, he was struggling with depression.

Phelps talks about the importance of seeking help and not being afraid to show vulnerability.

He shares his personal journey and how he overcame his struggles.

Phelps discusses the stigma around mental health and the need to encourage others to seek help.

He mentions that he was taught as an athlete to hide weakness and always appear strong.

Phelps recalls a low point in his life in October 2014 when he didn't leave his house for five days.

He emphasizes the importance of asking for help and how it changed his life.

Phelps is now a shareholder and member of the advisory board for TalkSpace, a mental health service.

He explains how TalkSpace provides accessible mental health support through mobile phones.

Phelps talks about the benefits of being able to talk to a therapist on-demand through the app.

He shares his experience of opening up about his depression and the impact it had on his life.

Phelps discusses the shocking statistics on mental health issues among teenagers.

He emphasizes the need to remove the stigma around mental health, especially for children.

Phelps talks about his role as a father and how he encourages his children to pursue their own passions.

He shares his thoughts on whether his son Boomer will follow in his footsteps as a swimmer.

Phelps reflects on his swimming career and why he has no desire to return to competition.

Transcripts

>>> WE ARE SO EXCITED.

>>> WE ARE SO EXCITED. WE’RE BACK WITH TODAY’S TALKER.

WE’RE BACK WITH TODAY’S TALKER. MICHAEL PHELPS IS KNOWN AS THE

MICHAEL PHELPS IS KNOWN AS THE GREATEST SWIMMER, GREATEST

GREATEST SWIMMER, GREATEST OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME.

OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME. 28 MEDALS OVERALL.

28 MEDALS OVERALL. 23 OF THEM GOLD.

23 OF THEM GOLD. HE RACED HIS WAY INTO THE RECORD

HE RACED HIS WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS.

BOOKS. >> HE DID.

>> HE DID. RECENTLY HE REVEALED EVEN AT THE

RECENTLY HE REVEALED EVEN AT THE TOP OF HIS CAREER HE WAS

TOP OF HIS CAREER HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION.

STRUGGLING WITH DEPRESSION. HE’S NOT ALONE.

HE’S NOT ALONE. AN ESTIMATED 1 IN 5 ADULTS ARE

AN ESTIMATED 1 IN 5 ADULTS ARE AFFECTED BY HEALTH ISSUES.

AFFECTED BY HEALTH ISSUES. THE NUMBERS ARE SIMILAR FOR

THE NUMBERS ARE SIMILAR FOR TEENAGERS.

TEENAGERS. >> MICHAEL IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT

>> MICHAEL IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT HIS PERSONAL JOURNEY AND WHAT

HIS PERSONAL JOURNEY AND WHAT HE’S DOING TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

HE’S DOING TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SEEK HELP.

TO SEEK HELP. MICHAEL, WELCOME.

MICHAEL, WELCOME. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE’RE SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE.

>> WE’RE SO HAPPY YOU’RE HERE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE WERE DIGGING INTO OUR

>> WE WERE DIGGING INTO OUR ARCHIVES.

ARCHIVES. YOU’VE GROWN UP HERE.

YOU’VE GROWN UP HERE. 2004 YOU WON THE OLYMPICS.

2004 YOU WON THE OLYMPICS. YOU WERE OUT HERE, THIS YOUNG

YOU WERE OUT HERE, THIS YOUNG GUY.

GUY. YOU WERE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS.

YOU WERE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS. LOOKED LIKE A LITTLE KID.

LOOKED LIKE A LITTLE KID. WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING AT THAT KID,

WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING AT THAT KID, BECAUSE WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS

BECAUSE WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN YOUR HEAD BACK THEN,

GOING ON IN YOUR HEAD BACK THEN, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT YOUNG

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT YOUNG BOY, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

BOY, WHAT DO YOU SEE? >> FOR ME, LIKE, I THINK LOOKING

>> FOR ME, LIKE, I THINK LOOKING BACK AT MY CAREER, I THINK I WAS

BACK AT MY CAREER, I THINK I WAS PROBABLY HIDING A BUNCH OR

PROBABLY HIDING A BUNCH OR COMPARTMENTALIZING A LOT OF

COMPARTMENTALIZING A LOT OF STUFF I WAS GOING THROUGH.

STUFF I WAS GOING THROUGH. I THINK I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT

I THINK I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT WE WEREN’T ALLOWED OR SUPPOSED

WE WEREN’T ALLOWED OR SUPPOSED TO SHOW WEAKNESS OR SOMETHING

TO SHOW WEAKNESS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT EVER BECAUSE OF BEING

LIKE THAT EVER BECAUSE OF BEING AN ATHLETE.

AN ATHLETE. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE STRONG AND

YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE STRONG AND PUSH THROUGH ANYTHING.

PUSH THROUGH ANYTHING. I THINK MY STRUGGLES CARRIED

I THINK MY STRUGGLES CARRIED THROUGH ANY CAREER.

THROUGH ANY CAREER. I HID THEM WELL.

I HID THEM WELL. GOING INTO THE LAST OLYMPICS, I

GOING INTO THE LAST OLYMPICS, I WAS READY TO OPEN UP AND LET

WAS READY TO OPEN UP AND LET EVERYTHING COME OUT.

EVERYTHING COME OUT. FOR ME THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS

FOR ME THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND THERE ARE SO

VERY IMPORTANT, AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT STRUGGLE FROM

MANY PEOPLE THAT STRUGGLE FROM VERY SIMILAR THINGS THAT I GO

VERY SIMILAR THINGS THAT I GO THROUGH AND STILL GO THROUGH.

THROUGH AND STILL GO THROUGH. >> IF YOU PROVE ANYTHING, IT’S

>> IF YOU PROVE ANYTHING, IT’S THAT YOU CAN BE EXCEEDINGLY HIGH

THAT YOU CAN BE EXCEEDINGLY HIGH FUNCTIONING.

FUNCTIONING. I MEAN, THINK OF HOW YOU DID,

I MEAN, THINK OF HOW YOU DID, FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE OLYMPICS,

FOR EXAMPLE, AT THE OLYMPICS, AND STILL HAVE THESE PRIVATE

AND STILL HAVE THESE PRIVATE STRUGGLES.

STRUGGLES. >> IT’S -- IT’S WILD TO THINK

>> IT’S -- IT’S WILD TO THINK ABOUT, BUT IT IS TRUE.

ABOUT, BUT IT IS TRUE. YOU CAN PUSH THROUGH ANYTHING.

YOU CAN PUSH THROUGH ANYTHING. FOR ME AT TIMES IT PROBABLY WAS

FOR ME AT TIMES IT PROBABLY WAS A LITTLE SCARY AND CHALLENGING

A LITTLE SCARY AND CHALLENGING TO GO THROUGH, BUT I FOUND A WAY

TO GO THROUGH, BUT I FOUND A WAY TO GET THROUGH IT, AND I’M NOW

TO GET THROUGH IT, AND I’M NOW ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES THAT I

ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES THAT I HAVE.

HAVE. AND I’M OPENLY TALKING ABOUT

AND I’M OPENLY TALKING ABOUT THEM.

THEM. I’M STILL STRUGGLING WEEKLY OR

I’M STILL STRUGGLING WEEKLY OR FROM TIME TO TIME I’LL HAVE BAD

FROM TIME TO TIME I’LL HAVE BAD DAYS WHERE I DO GO INTO A

DAYS WHERE I DO GO INTO A DEPRESSION STATE OR --

DEPRESSION STATE OR -- >> I THINK TO UNDERSTAND HOW

>> I THINK TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU’VE HEALED WE HAVE TO I GUESS

YOU’VE HEALED WE HAVE TO I GUESS UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU WERE.

UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU WERE. YOU TALK ABOUT OCTOBER, 2014

YOU TALK ABOUT OCTOBER, 2014 WHEN YOU WERE REALLY ON YOUR

WHEN YOU WERE REALLY ON YOUR KNEES.

KNEES. LIKE, YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T LEAVE

LIKE, YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE FOR FIVE DAYS.

YOUR HOUSE FOR FIVE DAYS. YOU WERE GOING THROUGH BASIC

YOU WERE GOING THROUGH BASIC HELL.

HELL. YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT ENDING

YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT ENDING IT.

IT. WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THAT TIME?

WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THAT TIME? >> WELL, I JUST -- FOR ME, LIKE,

>> WELL, I JUST -- FOR ME, LIKE, I WAS SO DOWN ON MYSELF.

I WAS SO DOWN ON MYSELF. I DIDN’T HAVE ANY SELF LOVE.

I DIDN’T HAVE ANY SELF LOVE. AND HONESTLY, I DIDN’T WANT TO

AND HONESTLY, I DIDN’T WANT TO BE ALIVE.

BE ALIVE. IT WAS A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY

IT WAS A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY CRAZY TIME FOR ME.

CRAZY TIME FOR ME. AND I DIDN’T WANT TO SEE

AND I DIDN’T WANT TO SEE ANYBODY, BECAUSE FOR ME I SAW

ANYBODY, BECAUSE FOR ME I SAW MYSELF AS LETTING SO MANY PEOPLE

MYSELF AS LETTING SO MANY PEOPLE DOWN AND ME, MYSELF, IN

DOWN AND ME, MYSELF, IN PARTICULAR.

PARTICULAR. AND THAT’S HARD TO CARRY.

AND THAT’S HARD TO CARRY. AND I THINK OVER THOSE THREE OR

AND I THINK OVER THOSE THREE OR FOUR DAYS WHERE I DIDN’T WANT TO

FOUR DAYS WHERE I DIDN’T WANT TO LEAVE MY ROOM.

LEAVE MY ROOM. I DIDN’T WANT TO TALK TO

I DIDN’T WANT TO TALK TO ANYBODY, I FINALLY REALIZED THAT

ANYBODY, I FINALLY REALIZED THAT I CAN ASK FOR HELP, AND IT’S

I CAN ASK FOR HELP, AND IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY.

OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY. AND FOR ME THAT’S WHAT CHANGED

AND FOR ME THAT’S WHAT CHANGED MY LIFE.

MY LIFE. I NEVER ASKED FOR HELP, REALLY

I NEVER ASKED FOR HELP, REALLY EVER IN MY CAREER.

EVER IN MY CAREER. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I REALLY

THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I REALLY DID THAT, AND I WAS -- LIKE YOU

DID THAT, AND I WAS -- LIKE YOU SAID, IT WAS BASICALLY ON MY

SAID, IT WAS BASICALLY ON MY KNEES CRYING FOR HELP.

KNEES CRYING FOR HELP. I’M LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN

I’M LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH A THERAPIST AND CHAT AND

WITH A THERAPIST AND CHAT AND TALK AND OPEN UP.

TALK AND OPEN UP. AND IT’S CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE

AND IT’S CHALLENGING FOR PEOPLE TO DO.

TO DO. I THINK IT’S -- FOR ME NOW BEING

I THINK IT’S -- FOR ME NOW BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH TALK SPACE AND

ABLE TO WORK WITH TALK SPACE AND TRAVELING AS MUCH AS I DO, TO

TRAVELING AS MUCH AS I DO, TO HAVE THE ACCESS ON MY PHONE

HAVE THE ACCESS ON MY PHONE WHERE I CAN POP ON WHENEVER I

WHERE I CAN POP ON WHENEVER I WANT 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A

WANT 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK AND GET THE HELP I NEED,

WEEK AND GET THE HELP I NEED, IT’S SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO

IT’S SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO TEACH ME MORE AND MORE ABOUT

TEACH ME MORE AND MORE ABOUT MYSELF.

MYSELF. AND I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING

AND I THINK THAT’S SOMETHING THAT’S KIND OF FUN FOR ME MOVING

THAT’S KIND OF FUN FOR ME MOVING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WITH TWO

FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WITH TWO KIDS.

KIDS. >> YOU MENTIONED HEAD SPACE.

>> YOU MENTIONED HEAD SPACE. YOU’RE A SHAREHOLDER, MEMBER OF

YOU’RE A SHAREHOLDER, MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD.

THE ADVISORY BOARD. THIS IS A SERVICE PEOPLE CAN

THIS IS A SERVICE PEOPLE CAN CALL OR TEXT, EXCUSE ME, TALK

CALL OR TEXT, EXCUSE ME, TALK SPACE.

SPACE. WE HAD HEAD SPACE YESTERDAY.

WE HAD HEAD SPACE YESTERDAY. NOW THIS IS TALK SPACE.

NOW THIS IS TALK SPACE. I CAN IMAGINE THERE ARE PEOPLE

I CAN IMAGINE THERE ARE PEOPLE WATCHING THIS WHO WILL RELATE TO

WATCHING THIS WHO WILL RELATE TO EVERYTHING YOU’VE SAID.

EVERYTHING YOU’VE SAID. >> OF COURSE.

>> OF COURSE. >> THEY HAVEN’T MADE THAT CALL

>> THEY HAVEN’T MADE THAT CALL YET.

YET. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT’S ON THE

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CALL WHEN YOU

OTHER SIDE OF THE CALL WHEN YOU FINALLY JUST SAY OKAY, I NEED

FINALLY JUST SAY OKAY, I NEED HELP?

HELP? >> IT’S KIND OF GETTING TO THAT

>> IT’S KIND OF GETTING TO THAT POINT WHERE YOU’RE READY TO

POINT WHERE YOU’RE READY TO SURRENDER, AND ASK FOR HELP.

SURRENDER, AND ASK FOR HELP. AND BREAK DOWN AND BE THAT

AND BREAK DOWN AND BE THAT PERSON THAT IS GOING OUT THERE

PERSON THAT IS GOING OUT THERE AND GETTING THE HELP THAT YOU

AND GETTING THE HELP THAT YOU NEED.

NEED. I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE TALK SPACE WHERE WE LIVE ON

LIKE TALK SPACE WHERE WE LIVE ON OUR PHONES.

OUR PHONES. RIGHT?

RIGHT? HOW EASY IS IT TO POP ON AND

HOW EASY IS IT TO POP ON AND TALK TO A THERAPIST, GET HELP?

TALK TO A THERAPIST, GET HELP? IF YOU’RE GOING TO A THERAPIST,

IF YOU’RE GOING TO A THERAPIST, YOU’RE MISSING WORK.

YOU’RE MISSING WORK. YOU’RE TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THE

YOU’RE TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THE KIDS.

KIDS. YOU’RE DOING THIS OR THAT.

YOU’RE DOING THIS OR THAT. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT’S

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT’S JUST ACCESSIBLE.

JUST ACCESSIBLE. AND HONESTLY, BEING ABLE TO OPEN

AND HONESTLY, BEING ABLE TO OPEN UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT IT IS

UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT’S SO IMPORTANT.

SOMETHING THAT’S SO IMPORTANT. REALLY TRYING TO TAKE THE STIGMA

REALLY TRYING TO TAKE THE STIGMA AWAY.

AWAY. ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS.

ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS. BEING ABLE TO OPEN IT UP TO

BEING ABLE TO OPEN IT UP TO KIDS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF

KIDS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE STATS WHERE ONE IN FIVE KIDS

THE STATS WHERE ONE IN FIVE KIDS FROM 13 AND UP WILL HAVE SOME

FROM 13 AND UP WILL HAVE SOME KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS,

KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS, AND BY 24, 75% OF KIDS WILL HAVE

AND BY 24, 75% OF KIDS WILL HAVE SOMETHING.

SOMETHING. THE NUMBERS ARE SHOCKING.

THE NUMBERS ARE SHOCKING. AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I THINK THIS IS -- FOR ME, IT’S

I THINK THIS IS -- FOR ME, IT’S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART

AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE TALK SPACE.

OF SOMETHING LIKE TALK SPACE. IT’S ONLY HELPING ME.

IT’S ONLY HELPING ME. I KNOW IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO

I KNOW IT HAS THE POSSIBILITY TO HELP SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE.

HELP SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. >> WE’RE SURROUNDED BY PICTURES

>> WE’RE SURROUNDED BY PICTURES OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. I WAS JUST THINKING BEING AT

I WAS JUST THINKING BEING AT THIS HEALTHY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE

THIS HEALTHY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE MUST MAKE PARENTING KIND OF A

MUST MAKE PARENTING KIND OF A DREAM WITH THESE KIDS.

DREAM WITH THESE KIDS. WHAT’S IT LIKE?

WHAT’S IT LIKE? >> IT’S AMAZING.

>> IT’S AMAZING. WATCHING BECKETTE BE EIGHT MONTH

WATCHING BECKETTE BE EIGHT MONTH AND CRAWL AROUND, THEY’RE

AND CRAWL AROUND, THEY’RE LEARNING THE SHARING PROCESS OF

LEARNING THE SHARING PROCESS OF IT ALL.

IT ALL. IT’S PRETTY INCREDIBLE.

IT’S PRETTY INCREDIBLE. IT’S SOMETHING THAT’S REALLY

IT’S SOMETHING THAT’S REALLY EXCITING.

EXCITING. THERE BOOM IS GETTING ABS IN

THERE BOOM IS GETTING ABS IN WITH ME.

WITH ME. >> WE FEEL LIKE WE’RE BOOMER’S

>> WE FEEL LIKE WE’RE BOOMER’S PARENTS TOO.

PARENTS TOO. HE WAS A BABY AT THE OLYMPICS IN

HE WAS A BABY AT THE OLYMPICS IN RIO, AND EVERYBODY FELL IN LOVE

RIO, AND EVERYBODY FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM.

WITH HIM. IS HE GOING TO BE A SWIMMER?

IS HE GOING TO BE A SWIMMER? >> IF HE WANTS.

>> IF HE WANTS. THE BIGGEST THING THAT I’VE

THE BIGGEST THING THAT I’VE ALWAYS SAID IS -- YOU SEE HIS

ALWAYS SAID IS -- YOU SEE HIS KICK IS UNBELIEVABLE.

KICK IS UNBELIEVABLE. IT TRULY IS INSANE TO WATCH HOW

IT TRULY IS INSANE TO WATCH HOW FEARLESS HE IS IN THE WATER, BUT

FEARLESS HE IS IN THE WATER, BUT IF HE WANTS TO SWIM, COOL.

IF HE WANTS TO SWIM, COOL. IF NOT, WHATEVER MAKES HIM

IF NOT, WHATEVER MAKES HIM HAPPY.

HAPPY. I DON’T WANT HIM TO EVER FEEL

I DON’T WANT HIM TO EVER FEEL THE PRESSURE OF KIND OF LIVING

THE PRESSURE OF KIND OF LIVING IN WHAT I’VE DONE IN MY SHADOW.

IN WHAT I’VE DONE IN MY SHADOW. I WANT HIM TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF

I WANT HIM TO BE ABLE TO KIND OF JUST MAKE HIMSELF.

JUST MAKE HIMSELF. KIND OF LIVE WHATEVER HE WANTS

KIND OF LIVE WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO.

TO DO. >> DO YOU MISS IT, THE SWIMMING?

>> DO YOU MISS IT, THE SWIMMING? >> AT TIMES, BUT IT’S JUST

>> AT TIMES, BUT IT’S JUST NOT -- I MEAN, I COULD NEVER SEE

NOT -- I MEAN, I COULD NEVER SEE MYSELF GETTING BACK IN.

MYSELF GETTING BACK IN. I COULD, BUT WHY?

I COULD, BUT WHY? YOU KNOW?

YOU KNOW? I DON’T WANT TO.

I DON’T WANT TO. >> YOU HAVE NO MORE ROOM FOR

>> YOU HAVE NO MORE ROOM FOR MEDALS.

MEDALS. THAT WE KNOW.

THAT WE KNOW. ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THAT TODDLER

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THAT TODDLER STUFF IN THE HOUSE.

STUFF IN THE HOUSE. >> MICHAEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.