Shocks Michael Phelps: “I thought about suicide – I didn’t want to live, I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink”!

THE Michael Phelps he is a true legend of swimming and sports in general, having won more medals than anyone else in the Olympic Games: 28 in total and more specifically 23 gold, three silver and two bronze from Athens in 2004 to Rio de Janeiro. He may, however, be the greatest swimmer of all time, but depression does not discriminate. Michael Phelps brought back to the fore the Psychological problemswhich he faced and which created suicidal tendencies in him, calling on anyone facing similar situations to contact specialists.

Michael Phelps was the main figure at the #WOBI World Business Forum, held on Wednesday (15/11) in Madrid. Among other things, he said: “When I was a child, I trained with athletes eight years older than me. It was weird, but I enjoyed doing it. I’ve always loved swimming though it’s a very lonely sport. We couldn’t talk to each other although I don’t like to use the words ‘can’t’.”

And he added: “That year I already had seasonal depression. Then, in 2014, I had my second bout of depression. I didn’t want to live. I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink, I went to a rehab center. I was fighting for my life more than people could imagine. I also thought about suicide and I want to help these people. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Discussing these issues saved my life. I want to do everything I can to help people who are having a hard time. I want to remind people that they are not alone. His motivation outside of competition is even stronger than when I was swimming»

Also fill in: “I think I will be remembered for my career after sports rather than the medals, which are incredible, but that’s not the point. I want to help people who are having a hard time. I want to save lives. In the world of sports there were many who questioned everything, my goals. But it was actually something that was manageable. People believed that winning a gold medal was impossible and I won 28. I want to teach the kids that no matter what they want, it is always possible to achieve it. We can’t fly, but we can do anything else. Let’s not be afraid to pursue our goals or objectives».