Michael Phelps shared how a teacher’s doubt in him because of his ADHD fueled his rise in sports, catapulting him to the status of one of the most dominant athletes. Phelps holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic medals in individual events, and Olympic gold medals in individual events.
Phelps later suffered from chronic pain and injury issues, along with breathing troubles, and went through a rough patch of depression and anxiety after his early Olympic success in 2012. Despite that, he has championed mental health awareness and helped several youngsters pursue their dreams.
Michael Phelps Recalls a School Teacher’s Criticism That Became a Key Motivator for His Success
Phelps’s ADHD made it difficult for him to stay still for even a minute, often landing him in the principal’s office. He tried different sports such as soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and swimming to channel his energy in various ways, but struggled to figure out where to focus.
His uncontrollable impulses and difficulty managing his energy levels frequently drew attention from teachers, one of whom claimed he would have a fruitless future.
Speaking about how saddening it was to see a teacher demotivate a student in that way, Phelps recalled promising himself that he would prove her wrong. In a Raj Shamani podcast, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist said:
“I remember in middle school, I was told by my teachers that I would never by excuse me by a teacher that I would never amount to anything. I still remember her name, and I still remember what she looks like. I still remember where I was sitting in the class. I think at that point for me, I used it as motivation. The fact that a teacher would say they’re doubting a student and not knowing how to deal with them, I think, is saddening. It’s upsetting. But for me, I was like, I’m going to prove you,” he said.
Phelps works extensively with his eponymous foundation, helping up-and-coming generations find confidence in and beyond the water.
READ MORE: Michael Phelps’ Former Coach Bob Bowman Warns Against Short-Term Fixes in High-Performance Sport
Phelps also spoke about his first impression of the legendary Bob Bowman, who was very strict with his methods, ran up and down the poolside, whistled, and swung his arms in the air.
Despite initially dreading his coaching style, thinking he was a ‘lunatic,’ the 40-year-old went on to forge the most successful swimming career under Bowman’s tutelage, a testament to their strong bond that grew far beyond the pool. They worked together for 20 years, and Bowman remained Phelps’s only coach until his retirement at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
