Michael Phelps opens up about his struggles with mental health | Outside the Lines

Summary

Olympic champion Michael Phelps, with a record 123 gold medals, faced personal struggles including a second DUI arrest and battles with anxiety and depression. With the support of friends and a 45-day rehabilitation program, Phelps found a path to recovery and mental health advocacy. He encourages others to seek help and speaks openly about the mental health challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and support from loved ones.

Takeaways

• 🏅 Michael Phelps is a record-breaking Olympic swimmer with 23 gold medals, the most ever in swimming.
• 🚔 Phelps faced personal challenges, including a 2014 arrest for driving under the influence, his second such incident in a decade.
• 💔 He struggled with self-esteem and self-worth, feeling like a 'time bomb' and experiencing a deep sense of low self-worth.
• 🤝 An intervention from a sports icon friend in Baltimore helped Phelps realize the importance of character during difficult times.
• 🛑 Phelps reached a low point, isolating himself and considering the end of his life as the best option.
• 🆘 He sought help and spent 45 days at the Meadows, a behavioral rehabilitation facility, where he was treated for anxiety and depression.
• 💪 Phelps used his experience to come back stronger, winning five more gold medals at the 2016 Olympics and becoming an advocate for mental health.
• 🗣️ He encourages others to speak up and seek help, being vocal about his own mental health issues and the importance of addressing them.
• 🌐 Phelps acknowledges the mental health struggles many are facing during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of routine and support systems.
• 👥 He recognizes the impact of public figures and athletes opening up about mental health, showing vulnerability and humanizing themselves to the public.
• 🌟 Phelps believes that discussing struggles openly is powerful and helps to normalize conversations around mental health.

Q & A

How many Olympics did Michael Phelps compete in?

Michael Phelps competed in five Olympics.

What is the record that Michael Phelps holds in terms of gold medals?

Michael Phelps holds the record for the most gold medals ever in swimming, with 123 gold medals.

What legal issue did Michael Phelps face in 2014?

In 2014, Michael Phelps was arrested and charged with driving under the influence for the second time in 10 years.

What personal struggles did Phelps experience out of the pool?

Phelps struggled with self-esteem and self-worth, and at one point, he was at his lowest point, not eating, sleeping, or leaving his room.

How did an old friend and sports icon help Phelps during his difficult time?

An old friend, also a sports icon in Baltimore, intervened and encouraged Phelps to fight back and seek help, highlighting the importance of character during tough times.

What facility did Phelps attend for treatment?

Phelps attended the Meadows, a behavioral rehabilitation facility just outside Phoenix, for 45 days.

What mental health issues were Phelps treated for at the Meadows?

Phelps was treated for anxiety and depression at the Meadows.

How did Phelps' performance at the 2016 games reflect his personal growth?

After his treatment and personal growth, Phelps won five more gold medals at the 2016 games.

What role has Phelps taken on as a result of his experiences?

Phelps has become a mental health warrior, encouraging others to speak up and seek help when they need it.

How has Phelps described the impact of the pandemic on his mental health?

Phelps described the pandemic as one of the toughest stretches he has ever gone through, with many uncertainties and challenges to maintaining a normal routine.

What advice does Phelps give to those who are struggling with mental health issues?

Phelps advises people who are struggling to open up and talk about their issues, emphasizing the importance of having loved ones for support during difficult times.

What impact does Phelps believe public figures have had by opening up about mental health?

Phelps believes that when public figures like himself open up about mental health issues, it shows vulnerability and humanity, which can be powerful and help others realize they are not alone in their struggles.

Outlines

00:00

🏅 Overcoming Adversity: Michael Phelps' Journey

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian with 23 gold medals, faced personal struggles outside the pool. After his second arrest for driving under the influence in 2014, Phelps hit rock bottom, experiencing low self-esteem and self-worth. An intervention by a sports icon friend from Baltimore helped him realize the need for change. Phelps sought help at the Meadows, a rehabilitation facility near Phoenix, where he was treated for anxiety and depression. This period of reflection allowed him to understand his identity beyond swimming, leading to a resurgence at the 2016 Olympics where he won five more gold medals. Phelps has since become an advocate for mental health, encouraging others to speak up and seek help.

05:01

🗣️ Breaking the Silence on Mental Health

The script discusses the impact of public figures and celebrities like Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, and Justin Bieber opening up about their mental health struggles. This transparency is a significant shift from the past, as it humanizes these figures and shows vulnerability, which can be difficult to express. The script emphasizes the importance of discussing mental health issues openly, as it helps to normalize the conversation and provide support to those who are experiencing similar challenges. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues for many, and Phelps personally found it to be the toughest stretch, highlighting the need for maintaining routines and seeking help from loved ones during such times.

Keywords

💡Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is a former competitive swimmer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He competed in five Olympics and won 23 gold medals, the most in history. The video highlights both his extraordinary achievements in the pool and his struggles with mental health issues outside of it.

💡Olympics

The Olympics are a global sporting event featuring summer and winter sports competitions. Phelps competed in five Olympic Games, showcasing his prowess and securing his status as a legendary athlete. The video underscores his Olympic successes and the personal challenges he faced during his career.

💡Gold Medals

Gold medals represent the highest achievement in Olympic sports. Phelps won 23 gold medals, the most by any Olympian. The video uses his medal count to emphasize his dominance in swimming while contrasting it with the personal difficulties he encountered.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The video discusses Phelps' battles with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, illustrating how even the most successful athletes can struggle with mental health issues.

💡DUI

DUI stands for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Phelps was arrested for DUI in 2014, marking his second offense in ten years. This incident is highlighted in the video to show one of the low points in his life and career.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation involves treatment aimed at recovering from addiction, mental health issues, or physical injuries. Phelps spent 45 days at The Meadows, a behavioral rehabilitation facility, where he received treatment for anxiety and depression. This period was crucial for his recovery and personal growth.

💡Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are mental health disorders characterized by excessive worry, fear, sadness, and loss of interest in activities. The video details Phelps' experiences with these conditions, highlighting how they affected his life and career despite his athletic success.

💡Mental Health Advocacy

Mental health advocacy involves promoting awareness and understanding of mental health issues. Phelps has become a vocal advocate for mental health, encouraging others to speak up and seek help. The video portrays his transition from an athlete to a mental health warrior.

💡Support System

A support system consists of family, friends, and professionals who provide emotional and practical support. Phelps credits his support system, particularly his wife, for helping him through tough times. The video emphasizes the importance of having supportive people during mental health struggles.

💡Pandemic

The pandemic refers to the global outbreak of COVID-19, which has affected mental health worldwide. Phelps discusses how the uncertainties and challenges of the pandemic period have been particularly tough for him, highlighting the broader mental health impacts on society.

Highlights

Michael Phelps competed at five Olympics and won 123 gold medals, the most ever in swimming.

Phelps faced challenges outside of the pool, including a 2014 arrest for driving under the influence.

Phelps struggled with low self-esteem and self-worth after the arrest.

An old friend and sports icon intervened to help Phelps when he needed it most.

Phelps felt like giving up on life at his lowest point.

Phelps sought help and spent 45 days at the Meadows behavioral rehabilitation facility for anxiety and depression.

Phelps had to take a step back to move forward and rediscover who he was outside of swimming.

A rejuvenated Phelps won five more gold medals at the 2016 Olympics.

Phelps is now an advocate for mental health, encouraging others to speak up and seek help.

Phelps has been vocal about his mental health struggles, especially during the pandemic.

Phelps found it challenging to maintain a routine and experienced scary thoughts during the pandemic.

Phelps credits his wife for helping him through difficult times.

Phelps believes that celebrities and athletes opening up about mental health helps show vulnerability and humanity.

Phelps encourages people to talk about their struggles and seek support.

Phelps acknowledges the impact of public figures discussing mental health and the progress made in recent years.

Phelps emphasizes the power of standing up and talking about personal struggles to show relatability.

Transcripts

competing at five Olympics Michael

Phelps 123 gold medals most ever in the

water he was a spectacular force but out

of the pool life was often more

challenging in 2014 he was arrested and

charged with driving under the influence

for the second time in 10 years

via five

[Music]

Michael that's a train wreck I mean it's

just like a time bomb waiting to go off

I mean I had no self-esteem no

self-worth just when Phelps needed it

most

an old friend also a sports icon in

Baltimore intervened this is what we

fight this is when real character shows

up don't shut down because if you shut

down we all lose right for a moment I

thought it was gonna be the end of my

life literally

[Music]

just because it was like

yeah brother just be better without me

people wanted to deal with the BS that I

give them or

the crap I put him through it was really

sad to see you picture somebody being at

their lowest point and that's where

Michael was it's hard to see I didn't

really leave my room didn't eat didn't

really sleep I just figured that it was

the best thing to do was just the end of

my life

[Music]

Phelps fought back and sought the help

he's so desperately needed I think when

you find your your lowest point in your

life I think you're kind of open to a

lot of things to try to change it and to

try to get back on the right path and I

was just surrendering Phelps would spend

45 days here at the meadows a behavioral

rehabilitation facility just outside

Phoenix where he was treated for anxiety

and depression Michael had to take a

step back before he actually went

forward again to realize who he was out

of the pool a rejuvenated Phelps would

Sparkle at the 2016 games five more gold

medals now he's a mental health warrior

imploring others to speak up and seek

help when they need it

I'm just me not how do you think the

things that are most important to me and

that matter most are better than they've

ever been you've been very vocal about

some of the issues you've dealt with set

against the backdrop of the pandemic how

would you describe the mental health

issues that so many millions are facing

now I mean for me personally it's been

probably the toughest stretch that I've

ever gone through you know I mean

there's there so many uncertainties and

we're just basically fighting to make

sure we stand some kind of routine you

know try to keep it as normal as

possible and and you know I'll say for

me I've run into a couple scary times

where

you know I had some thoughts that that I

probably shouldn't have had and and that

weren't good to have but you know I

think that the best thing for me is I've

been able to have the people that I love

the most help me get through these times

and and you know for the people who are

struggling make sure you're opening up

and talking about it

you know I think there was you know for

a few weeks or you know yeah that's a

handful of weeks I just tried to fight

it myself and and it got me to a a

pretty pretty scary situation and and

you know let's say my wife is somebody

who single-handedly really helped me get

through it you were in the vanguard as a

public figure willing to talk frankly

about your own mental health issues what

do you think the impact has been in the

last few years with celebrities and

athletes such as yourself opening up

about these topics I mean I think

honestly it just shows that were human

you know I think so many people think

were you know almost like an action

figure and you just wind us up and we go

but you know I think you know when when

we're opening up like this and showing

our vulnerability showing a sign or

vulnerability you know I think that's

just that's difficult and and that's one

of the hardest things I've ever gone

through and and I can't say it enough

there at probably thousands million

people that are experiencing the same

exact thing that I'm going through so I

think they see people like myself or

keep it like Kevin Love or people you

know Bieber all of these people have

opened up and talked about struggles

that they go through and it's just

something that we've never really seen

over the past five or ten years you know

so it's like I think we've really come a

long way and it's just so powerful when

you're able to stand up and talk about

your struggles because it just shows you

I don't know yeah you just you're person

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