Brendan White retweetledi
>be Michael Phelps
>born 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland
>dad is a state trooper, mom is a teacher
>parents divorce when you're 9
>can't sit still
>can't focus
>diagnosed with ADHD
>teachers say you'll never amount to anything
>too hyperactive, too unfocused
>mom puts you in the pool
>just to burn off energy
childhood:
>hate putting your face in water
>afraid of it
>coach tells you to float on your back first
>you learn
>turns out your body is built for this
>6'4" with size 14 feet
>arms longer than your height
>wingspan of 6'7"
>double-jointed ankles
>you're genetically engineered for swimming
>you just didn't know it yet
1996:
>age 11
>watch the Atlanta Olympics
>see swimmers on TV
>tell your mom: "I want to be an Olympian"
>she doesn't laugh
>you get to work
2000:
>Sydney Olympics
>you're 15 years old
>youngest male swimmer on the U.S. team in 68 years
>don't medal
>finish 5th in the 200m butterfly
>doesn't matter
>you just got a taste
>now you're hungry
2001:
>age 15
>break the world record in 200m butterfly
>youngest male ever to set a world record
>this is just the beginning
2004:
>Athens Olympics
>win 6 gold medals, 2 bronze
>8 medals total
>you're 19
>the greatest swimmer in the world
>but you wanted 8 golds
>Mark Spitz's record still stands
>you'll be back
2008:
>Beijing Olympics
>this is it
>8 events, 8 chances
>swim after swim
>gold after gold
>7th race: 100m butterfly
>you're behind at the turn
>Milorad Čavić leads at the wall
>one hundredth of a second
>0.01
>you out-touch him
>gold
>8th race: 4x100 medley relay
>gold
>8 golds in one Olympics
>8 world records
>the greatest Olympic performance in history
2012:
>London Olympics
>4 golds, 2 silvers
>become the most decorated Olympian ever
>22 medals total
>retire
>you're done
>you're 27
but:
>retirement breaks you
>no structure, no purpose
>depression hits
>suicidal thoughts
>drinking heavily
>2014: second DUI arrest
>going 84 in a 45
>everyone sees the mugshot
>the golden boy is drowning
>out of the water this time
rehab:
>check into treatment
>45 days
>face everything you've been running from
>the divorce, the pressure, the loneliness
>learn that gold medals don't fix you
>therapy works
>you come back different
2016:
>Rio Olympics
>one more run
>age 31
>5 golds, 1 silver
>6 more medals
>28 total
>23 golds
>most decorated Olympian in history
>retire again
>this time for real
after swimming:
>become a mental health advocate
>talk about depression openly
>help others who are struggling
>the thing that almost killed you becomes your mission
>testify before Congress on mental health in sports
>start a foundation
>marry Nicole Johnson
>have three sons
>finally at peace
the numbers:
>23 gold medals
>28 total medals
>39 world records over career
>5 Olympic Games
>most dominant athlete in Olympic history
>not debatable
Michael Phelps.
the greatest Olympian who ever lived.
still swimming.
just not for medals anymore.
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