Michael Phelps and ADHD. The Swimmer Who Broke Olympic Records!

By Zahavit Paz

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, revolutionized the world of competitive swimming with his extraordinary talent and unparalleled achievements.

With a staggering 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, Phelps dominated the pool for over a decade, setting numerous world records and redefining the limits of human aquatic performance. (Source: Wikipedia).

Yet, behind this astounding success lies a lesser-known aspect of Phelps’ life: his journey with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Diagnosed at a young age when he was 9 years old, Phelps’ story is not just one of athletic prowess, but also a testament to overcoming challenges and turning perceived obstacles into stepping stones for greatness.

Michael Phelps’ Early Life

Michael Phelps, born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, faced significant challenges during his childhood due to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Growing up in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of nearby Towson, Phelps was a bundle of energy, often described as a child who could “never sit still.”

Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade, around the age of 9. This diagnosis came after years of struggling with inattention and hyperactivity.

As a young child, Phelps exhibited classic symptoms of ADHD, including difficulty focusing and an abundance of physical energy that made it challenging for him to remain seated or calm for extended periods.

At the age of 7, Phelps was introduced to swimming. Initially reluctant to put his face in the water, he started with backstroke. This early exposure to the sport would later prove to be a turning point in managing his ADHD symptoms.

Despite these early challenges, Phelps’ journey with ADHD took a positive turn when he found his passion for swimming.

The sport provided him with a structured outlet for his energy and a means to channel his focus. By age 10, he had already set a national record for his age group in the 100-meter butterfly, signaling the beginning of his extraordinary swimming career.

Family Support

Despite the challenges, Phelps had a strong support system. Michael said many times that he attributes much of his success to his mother’s parenting skills.

His mother, Debbie Phelps, a middle school principal, was particularly instrumental in advocating for her son and helping him navigate his ADHD.

In fact, his mother, Debbie Phelps, claims that Michael didn’t always love sport of swimming. “When he was 7 years old, he didn’t want to put his face in the water. So I started him with a backstroke.”

For anyone to become an Olympic swimmer, it requires focus, hard work, dedication and perseverance … all the characteristics rarely associated with a child with  ADHD.

As a young child in kindergarten, Phelps had trouble with inattention. A teacher told his mother  “Your son will never be able to focus on anything.” But Debbie Phelps, who had taught middle school for more than two decades, was a staunch advocate for her son.

“Whenever a teacher would say, ‘Michael can’t do this,’ I’d counter with, ‘Well, what are you doing to help him?’ I knew that, if I collaborated with Michael, he could achieve anything he set his mind to.”

Once he was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade , the doctor prescribed medication that helped him focus in school. His mother established a routine at home, modified his diet to reduce his sugar intake and provided the strategies that helped him succeed.

Though at that time his parents were going through a divorce, Michael had the support of his two older sisters,  Hilary and Whitney, as well as his mother’s unwavering faith in him. His two older sisters swam at a local aquatic club, so his mother decided Michael should go as well.

Debbie Phelps believed that swimming helped Michael with his ADHD as well as his anxiety issues that often go hand in hand with ADHD.  Her decision to help Michael succeed through exercise has been validated.

According to Patrick O’Connor, professor in the UGA College of Education’s kinesiology department “exercise can help control symptoms of ADHD by raising the baseline of dopamine.” In fact, he asserts that “exercise, even a small amount, can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD in adults.”

Strategies Phelps used to cope with ADHD

Michael developed effective strategies to manage his ADHD throughout his life and swimming career. These techniques not only helped Phelps achieve unparalleled success in swimming but also shaped him into a role model for millions dealing with similar challenges.

Structured routine: Phelps’ mother, Debbie, established a consistent daily routine that provided structure and predictability. This helped him stay focused and organized both in and out of the pool.

Swimming as therapy: Phelps found that swimming had a calming effect on his mind. The more time he spent in the pool, the more relaxed and focused he felt. The rhythmic nature of swimming and the increased oxygen exchange helped improve his concentration.

Customized learning approaches: To help Phelps focus on academics, his mother worked closely with his teachers to develop tailored learning strategies. For example, when he struggled with reading, she provided him with sports-related materials to maintain his interest.

Visual cues for emotional regulation: Phelps and his mother developed a hand signal system to help him manage his emotions during competitions. She would form a ‘C’ with her hand, signaling him to “compose yourself” when he appeared frustrated.

Medication management: While Phelps initially took medication to help with focus in school, he eventually stopped using it in the sixth grade. The structure provided by his rigorous swimming schedule helped him maintain focus without medication.

Diet modification: Debbie Phelps adjusted Michael’s diet to reduce sugar intake, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in some individuals.

Channeling energy through sports: Swimming provided an outlet for Phelps’ abundant energy, helping him to focus better in other areas of his life.

Positive reinforcement: Despite facing challenges and negative predictions from some teachers, Phelps’ mother consistently believed in his potential and provided unwavering support, boosting his self-confidence.

Goal-setting and visualization: Phelps learned to set clear goals for himself and visualize success, which helped him stay motivated and focused on long-term objectives.

Embracing his uniqueness: Over time, Phelps learned to view his ADHD not as a limitation but as a part of what made him unique and successful. This positive mindset helped him overcome challenges and achieve greatness in his chosen field.

Breaking Records and Winning Medals

Michael Phelps’ Olympic journey is a testament to his extraordinary talent, dedication, and the effectiveness of his ADHD management strategies. His performances across five Olympic Games from 2000 to 2016 have left an indelible mark on the sport of swimming and Olympic history.

Overview of Phelps’ Olympic performances:

1. Sydney 2000: At just 15 years old, Phelps made his Olympic debut, finishing fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.
2. Athens 2004: Phelps truly announced himself on the world stage, winning six gold and two bronze medals.
3. Beijing 2008: This was Phelps’ most iconic Olympics, where he achieved the seemingly impossible feat of winning eight gold medals in a single Games.
4. London 2012: Despite initial talks of retirement, Phelps competed again, securing four gold and two silver medals.
5. Rio 2016: In his final Olympic appearance, Phelps added five gold medals and one silver to his tally, cementing his legacy.

Notable achievements and world records:

1. Most decorated Olympian: Phelps holds the all-time record for Olympic medals with 28 (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze).
2. Most Olympic gold medals: His 23 gold medals are more than double the next highest individual tally.
3. Most gold medals in individual events: Phelps won 13 individual Olympic gold medals, surpassing the previous record of 9.
4. Most medals in individual events: With 16 medals in individual events, Phelps surpassed the previous record of 12.
5. Most gold medals in a single Olympics: In Beijing 2008, Phelps won 8 gold medals, breaking Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of 7.
6. World records: Throughout his career, Phelps set 39 world records (29 individual, 10 relay), a testament to his dominance across multiple events.
7. Multiple medals in consecutive Olympics: Phelps won multiple medals in four consecutive Olympics (2004-2016), showcasing his longevity at the highest level.
8. Versatility: Phelps won Olympic gold medals in four different strokes (butterfly, freestyle, individual medley, and medley relay), demonstrating his exceptional all-around ability.
9. 400m Individual Medley dominance: He won this grueling event in two consecutive Olympics (2004 and 2008), setting world records each time.
10. 200m Butterfly mastery: Phelps won this event in three consecutive Olympics (2004, 2008, 2012), a feat unmatched in swimming history.

Phelps’ record-breaking performances not only solidified his status as the greatest swimmer of all time but also redefined what was thought possible in the sport. His achievements, spanning nearly two decades, showcase not just his physical prowess but also his mental fortitude and ability to consistently perform under immense pressure.

Phelps’ Transition to Retirement

After his final Olympic appearance in Rio 2016, Michael Phelps hung up his competitive goggles and embarked on a new chapter in his life. The transition from being a full-time athlete to retirement was not without its challenges. Phelps has been open about experiencing periods of depression and anxiety during this time, as he adjusted to life outside the pool.

However, true to his resilient nature, Phelps found new ways to channel his energy and passion:

1. Family life: Phelps embraced his role as a husband and father, focusing on raising his children with his wife, Nicole Johnson.
2. Business ventures: He became involved in various business endeavors, including his own swimwear line, MP Brand.
3. Coaching and mentoring: While not taking on a formal coaching role, Phelps has been involved in mentoring young swimmers and sharing his expertise.

Continued influence on ADHD awareness and mental health

In retirement, Phelps has become an even more vocal advocate for ADHD awareness and mental health:

Public speaking: He frequently speaks at events, sharing his experiences with ADHD and mental health challenges, inspiring others to seek help and support.

The Michael Phelps Foundation: Through his foundation, Phelps promotes water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, with a focus on children with ADHD and other challenges.

Partnerships with mental health organizations: Phelps has collaborated with organizations like Talkspace, an online therapy platform, to reduce stigma around mental health treatment.

Documentary and media appearances: He has participated in documentaries and interviews, openly discussing his struggles with ADHD and depression, helping to normalize these conversations.

Advocacy for athlete mental health: Phelps has been a strong voice in the sports world, pushing for better mental health support for athletes at all levels.

Children’s books: He has co-authored children’s books that touch on themes of perseverance and self-belief, indirectly addressing issues faced by children with ADHD.

Policy influence: Phelps has testified before Congress on the importance of mental health support and anti-doping measures in sports.

Through these efforts, Phelps continues to make waves long after leaving competitive swimming. His journey from an energetic child with ADHD to an Olympic legend and now a mental health advocate serves as a powerful narrative, inspiring individuals with ADHD and mental health challenges to pursue their dreams and seek the support they need.

Phelps’ post-swimming career demonstrates that his impact extends far beyond the pool, as he uses his platform to foster understanding, empathy, and support for mental health and ADHD awareness.

Phelps as an ADHD Advocate

As a result of his experiences, Michael is a spokesperson for mental health. In 2009, his book No Limits: The Will to Succeed provides insight to the journey he took that enabled him to overcome the challenges he faced.  

Then in 2017 Michael spoke candidly about his anxiety and depression publicly in the film Angst, a 56-minute film that explores anxiety, its causes, effects and what we can do about it.  In the movie, Phelps has a conversation with a young boy experiencing anxiety. He tells the boy, “I just didn’t like who I was. If something was bothering me that would start to come up, and I would start feeling angry or depressed or upset, I would almost ignore it.”

To encourage young people to pursue their dreams, Michael established The Michael Phelps Foundation which promotes “water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams.”

Debbie Phelps: Empowering Parents of Children with ADHD

Both Michael and Debbie Phelps are staunch advocates for parents, children and adults who are challenged with ADHD. Michael serves as a living symbol of what you can achieve with hard work and persistence. In an interview, Michael commented, “Your mind is the strongest medicine you can have…You can overcome anything if you think you can and you want to.”

Debbie has become a spokesperson for ADHD. She advises parents who have a child with ADHD to seek assistance and offer unconditional support. There’s no telling how far your child can go – maybe even all the way to Olympic gold. Here are fascinating facts about Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps Facts

1. Born June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland
2. Grew up in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of nearby Towson.
3. He attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School, and Towson High School.
4. The youngest of three children.
5. His mother, Deborah Sue “Debbie” Phelps (née Davisson), is a middle school principal.
6. His father, Michael Fred Phelps, is a retired Maryland State Trooper who played football in high school and college and tried out for the Washington Redskins in the 1970s.
7. Phelps is of English, German, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent.
8. His parents divorced in 1994, when he was nine years old, and his father remarried in 2000.
9. 2003 – graduated from Towson High School in 2003.
10. Began swimming at the age of seven,
11. Michael diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 6th grade.
12. By the age of 10, he held a national record for his age group (in the 100-meter butterfly)
13. Began to train at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under coach Bob Bowman.
14. As of August 21, 2018, Phelps still held 11 age group records, eight in long course, and three in short course.

Michael Phelps College

1. Michael Phelps Attended the University of Michigan While Training for the Olympics

Michael Phelps Career

1. The most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, world record with a total of 28 medals.
2. Holds the all-time greatest Olympian, records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16)
3. Started the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008
4. 2012 -retired following the Olympics,
5. 2914 – made a comeback in April 2014
6. 2016 – was selected by his team to be the flag bearer of the United States
7. 2016 – second retirement
8. Is considered the greatest swimmer of all time.

Conclusion

Michael Phelps’ journey from a young boy grappling with ADHD to becoming the most decorated Olympian in history is a testament to the power of perseverance, support, and finding one’s passion. His story illuminates the potential within every individual facing ADHD, demonstrating that what some may perceive as a limitation can be transformed into a driving force for success.

Phelps’ achievements in the pool are extraordinary, but his impact extends far beyond his 28 Olympic medals. By openly sharing his experiences with ADHD and mental health challenges, he has become a beacon of hope and a powerful advocate for millions worldwide. His transition from competitive swimming to mental health advocacy showcases the evolving nature of his influence and the depth of his commitment to helping others.