Michael Phelps will always be remembered for his accolades in the pool. His work ethic, his physique, and his process are all things many people should be inspired by. He, like many great athletes, is looked at as being almost super human.
It is just as important to remember that Michael is very human. He can experience anxiety, fear, sadness, and depression just like everyone else. With the highs of Michael’s career came unbelievable lows as well.
Michael is a reminder that even the greatest achievers can struggle with mental health.
In this episode, we are going to focus on the struggles Michael and other athletes can face and the strategies Michael continues to use daily to stay on top of his mental health.
Timestamps
- 00:00:00 Intro
- 00:04:45 ADHD
- 00:17:33 Anxiety and Depression
- 00:40:30 Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia
- 00:45:00 Drugs and Risk Seeking Behavior
- 00:48:30 Sleep & Sleep Disorders
- 00:50:40 Tools and Protocols
- 00:55:00 Awareness
- 00:57:41 Seeking Help
- 01:00:00 Psychotherapy
- 01:04:00 Pharmacology
- 01:05:22 Routine and Structure
- 01:07:00 Goals
- 01:10:25 Sleep
- 01:11:35 Journaling
- 01:14:00 Avoid Social Media
- 01:16:16 People
Links and resources
Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://988lifeline.org/
Free resources for finding help: https://www.psychologytoday.com/
Additional Research
- IOC Consensus Statement: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/11/667.info
- IOC Elite Athlete Toolkit: https://olympics.com/athlete365/articles/mentally-fit/ioc-mental-health-in-elite-athletes-toolkit-x3908
- ADHD Stigma: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9772730/
- ADHD Shaming Comments: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8856522/
- Exercise as ADHD Treatment: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6945516/
- ADHD Connection with Depression: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12618-009-0008-1
- ADHD Medication Meta Analysis: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6697582/
- Social Media & Mental Health in College Students: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257%2Faer.20211218&ref=twelvetables.blo
Resources – Books
- Beneath the Surface (Autobiography): https://amzn.to/4eJK4fk
- No Limits (Autobiography): https://amzn.to/4h7zjVR
- The Golden Rules: https://amzn.to/48g2vGb
- 10X is Easier than 2X: https://amzn.to/4faohhe
Resources – Podcasts
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9yrT2c-yyU&ab_channel=BlueWire
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-WwtG625sI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISuQHEUpJW8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG5pLBH4-9s
Resources – YouTube
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjtJLu5F24
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheXi-r-hdU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjMVZp0X_gw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25c1ZYVF_f8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1gqy5KJhww
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsBk_U8mhQA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCPAl1yPKGk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LoPcX1U3FU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsk9At6aEU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErcP2VIbgus
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ZZS0qrVNw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw4YYKk-60I – Calories Burned in Pool
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr-wf-EevUc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xagTJo_vGTk – Characteristics of Champions
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkqjHRN11NM
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao4fEglWqms
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl1LJx1JEjU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OelU90hH0QA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmIUibhpyPc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0Kma3WLbTQ
Resources – Articles and Movies
- https://www.si.com/olympics/2015/11/09/michael-phelps-rehabilitation-rio-2016
- The Weight of Gold
Affiliates
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