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"I didn't want to be alive anymore" - When Michael Phelps opened up about the toughest phase of his life after victorious pursuits at London Olympics
Michael Phelps once spoke about the toughest phase of his life, following his dominant performances at the 2012 London Olympics. The former swimmer has been fairly public about his mental health and has raised awareness about the topic over the years. Speaking in 2018, he spoke about his personal struggles.
Phelps is the most decorated swimmer of all time with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold. He made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games; however, he did not win any medals this year. At the 2004 Athens Games, he won eight medals, six gold and two bronze. He had an even more successful Games at Beijing 2008, where he won eight medals, all gold.
Michael Phelps continued his dominance in the 2012 London Olympics, where he won six medals, four gold and two silver. However, the American swimmer then went through the toughest phase of his life, as he opened up about in an interview with CNN Health in 2018.
Phelps spoke about the adversities he faced after his exploits at the 2012 London Games. He said,
"The hardest fall was after the 2012 Olympics. I didn't want to be in the sport anymore.. I didn't want to be alive anymore."
He further shared that during this time he used to stay alone for three to five days in his bedroom, did not eat, and barely slept. After this experience, the swimmer realized that he needed help.
Michael Phelps revealed that media has played a huge role in his mental health struggles
Michael Phelps, in an interview with ESPN's Jeremy Schapp, opened up about his mental health struggles and said the way that the media's coverage played a role in heightening his problems. He said,
“I've done so many interviews after Rio where the story was the same: Michael Phelps opened up about depression, went into a treatment program, won gold in his last Olympics and now is all better.' I wish that were the truth. I wish it were that easy. But honestly -- and I mean this in the nicest way possible -- that's just ignorant. Somebody who doesn't understand what people with anxiety or depression or post-traumatic stress disorder deal with has no idea.”
He added:
“And really, to be blunt, the media is part of that. They dragged me through the dirt for everything I did wrong over the years - and trust me, I know there was plenty. I'm responsible for every mistake I've ever made. Nobody else. I've gotten help and I ended my career on a high note, so the nice neat story is to put me back on a pedestal."
The 39-year-old has been experiencing anxiety and depression for a very long time, and he has been public about his experiences. In an interview with Healthline in 2022, he shared that therapy helped him to come to terms with his trials and tribulations, which eventually assisted him in improving his mental health.
He visited an in-patient treatment center, where he spent 45 days in 2014, and said that his mental health felt better after leaving the facility. Phelps is currently a father of four children and welcomed his fourth son, Nico Michael Phelps, in January 2024.
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