Olympic legend Michael Phelps recently revealed the harrowing mental health struggles he faced at the peak of his career during a deep-dive conversation with popular Indian podcaster and entrepreneur Raj Shamani.
Phelps, who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals in history, detailed how the relentless pursuit of perfection led to a cycle of deep depression after several Olympic Games.
He explained that while the world saw a champion on the podium, he often felt like a “swimming machine” rather than a human being, leading to a period where he no longer wanted to be alive.
The legendary athlete described a pattern of “post-Olympic blues,” a phenomenon where elite performers feel a massive emotional crash after years of intense focus on a single goal.
Phelps admitted that after the 2012 London Olympics, he spent days locked in his room, refusing to eat or speak to anyone. He noted that he had spent his entire life compartmentalizing his feelings, which eventually led to a mental breaking point where he felt completely lost without a pool to swim in.
Phelps shared that his recovery began only when he decided to seek professional help and embrace vulnerability. He told Shamani that the first time he entered a treatment center, he was “shaking like a leaf” and terrified of what people would think.
However, he soon realized that talking about his struggles was more empowering than any gold medal he had ever won. This shift in perspective allowed him to transition from being an athlete who happens to have a life, to a human being who happens to swim.
The conversation also touched on the extreme isolation that comes with being the greatest of all time (GOAT). Phelps explained that his training required him to be a “shark in the water,” meaning he had to be cold and detached to dominate his opponents.
While this mindset helped him win 23 gold medals, it made it nearly impossible for him to connect with his own emotions or the people around him. He emphasized that learning to communicate his feelings was a skill he had to learn from scratch, much like learning a new stroke in the water.
Now a global advocate for mental health, Phelps told the audience of aspiring creators and entrepreneurs that his greatest achievement is not his trophy room, but the lives he has saved by sharing his story.
He noted that since opening up about his depression, more people approach him to talk about their mental health than about his swimming records. Through the Michael Phelps Foundation, he now works to provide children with the tools to manage their mental well-being, proving that there is life and purpose far beyond professional accolades.
