Jordan Murphy

The Wire ended 18 yrs ago today. It’s been taught in Ivy League schools, law schools & film schools. David Simon was interviewed by a sitting president about its lasting impact. Cited in a State Supreme Court ruling. Often hailed by critics as the best ever. Never won an Emmy.

Tony Gwynn went to college on a basketball scholarship. He couldn't hit the ball out of the park. Scouts didn't see a star. But he hit .338 for his career. Won 8 batting titles. Made the Hall of Fame. His secret? A system he built from scratch: (📌Bookmark this)

>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.

True story: I met Kobe Bryant outside Equinox Newport Beach at 4:55am in 2017. It was a year after he retired. He should have been relaxing, but he was literally waiting outside the gym for it to open. His mindset applied to everything. I'm still inspired by that encounter.