A world record holder, a competitive athlete, and a legendary Olympian—Michael Phelps, was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. Just when his teachers told him that he can never achieve anything, he goes on to prove that he can despite having ADHD.
For those of you who do not know who Michael Phelps is, he is a famous swimmer who holds the most Olympic gold medals of all-time. A total of 28 gold medals are in Michael Phelps' possession and this was not easy to obtain for he had to go through a series of hard work, diligence, discipline, and practice. Before becoming the person that he is today, he had a struggle during his childhood that is not usually talked about in the media.
In the words of Michael Phelps from his book, Beneath the Surface: My Story
“I simply couldn’t sit still, because it was difficult for me to focus on one thing at a time.”
— Michael Phelps
“I had to be in the middle of everything.”
— Michael Phelps
In an autobiography book that Michael Phelps wrote, Beneath the Surface: My Story, he emphasized that as early as kindergarten, he had trouble with inattention. Phelps’ teacher told his mother that “Your son will never be able to focus on anything.” Adding to this, Phelps also admitted that he liked being in the center of attention. He cited that he would join a juggling talent show even though he didn’t know how, just to get attention. It was only until in his 6th grade that Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD. His diagnoses changed his life.
Dealing with ADHD
Debbie Phelps, Michael’s mother, consulted a doctor due to Michael’s inability to concentrate. It was then and there that he was diagnosed with ADHD.
From here, Debbie had to find ways or make ways on how to combat the ADHD that Michael has. She hired a tutor for Michael to help him keep his focus. She had also talked to the school to let them know what Michael’s condition was. Doing so, teachers became understanding of Michael.
To keep Michael in focus, Debbie has also tried different ways to cope with Michael’s ADHD. As time went by, Michael came to love swimming and had found his interest. With guidance and support, Michael developed self-discipline. He also stopped taking his stimulant medication for ADHD during his sixth grade. Due to his swim practices and training, it added a structure in Michael’s life that he had to follow for him to stay focused.
The swimming pool became Michael Phelps’ outlet for releasing his energy. Michael confessed he hated his first swim which was when he joined swimming with his two sisters to try it. He grew to love the sport when he became more in control due to his practices. It slowly became his outlet for releasing his contained energy at school. Debbie doesn’t ming Michael swimming for three hours everyday because it helped them to drain the energy that Michael impulsively has.
C stands for 'Compose Yourself'
When Michael started swimming, Debbie kept reminding Michael to be focused and to be mindful of his actions as he must consider the consequences of the way he behaves. When Michael was 10 years old, he competed in a swimming competition which resulted in him taking second place. Michael got upset with this as he wanted to win. As a result he tore and ripped off his goggles then threw them onto the pool deck.
Debbie could not let this behavior of Michael go and she knew she had to talk to him. While driving home, Debbie told the importance of sportsmanship, and told Michael that being a sport is as good as winning. They have also developed a signal for when they are becoming frustrated or experiencing an overwhelming amount of emotions. This signal is called the ‘C’, which is formed by forming a ‘C’ in your hand.
Since then both Michael Phelps and his mother used this hand signal to remind each other of their behavior.
When he was 10, he became a national swimmer. One year later, he met coach Bob Bowman. Michael took the chance of joining the 2000 Olympics when he was 15 years old. Since then, he had been winning gold medals and became the Olympic legend that we know today.
From here, we can see that with the right understanding and support, a person who has ADHD becomes guided and well.
In Debbie Phelps own words:
“All kids can fail us at times, but if you work with them, nine times out of ten, they’ll make you proud.”
Michael Phelps Biography
Birthdate | June 30, 1985 |
Hometown | Baltimore, Maryland |
Parents | Debbie Phelps & Fred Phelps |
Siblings | Whitney Phelps & Hilary Phelps |
Spouse | Nicole Johnson |
Children | Boomer Robert Phelps, Maverick Nicolas Phelps, Beckett Richard Phelps |
Education | Rodgers Forge Elementary Dumbarton Middle School Towson High School University of Michigan |
Training | Like any other dreamer, Phelps also had role models he looked up to. After he saw Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan swim in the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Phelps began to dream and aim at being a champion. Together with his coach, Bob Bowman, Phelps started swimming at the Loyola High School pool. He also trained in the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. |
Love for Swimming
As mentioned earlier, Michael Phelps tried swimming because of his two sisters who were a part of a swim team. Her sister also tried joining the Olympics in 1996, but she was not able to push through afterwards due to her injury. Since then, Michael was hesitant to swim and put his head underwater. Because of this, the first swim style and stroke he mastered was the backstroke.
As he practiced and mastered swimming, he learned to genuinely love the sport because he felt in control. It felt like the place in which he can drain his energy and where he can do anything at his own will without being judged.
Michael Phelps' Olympic Journey
2000 Olympics in Sydney, Austalia | Phelps’ first olympic competition did not make him win a gold medal yet, but this became his debut in competitive swimming. He became the youngest American male swimmer to have ever joined the Olympics for 68 years. |
2001 | He broke his World Championships record in Japan. This was Michael Phelps’ first international medal. |
2002 | In the U.S. Summer Nationals in Florida, Phelps established a new world record in the 400 meter individual medley. He also broke a 100 meter butterfly and a 200 meter individual medley. |
2003 | In 2003, Michael had established new world records by now. An addition to his list of world records include the 200-meter individual medley at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, and the U.S. trials for the 2004 Summer Olympics. |
2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece | His comeback in the 2004 Olympics in Athens was phenomenal as he won eight medals straight. Six of those medals were gold. |
2008 Olympics in Beijing, China | Phelps had accumulated 14 gold medals for he won 8 medals in this Olympics in Beijing. All of his relays created a new world record except the 100-meter butterfly relay. |
2012 Olympics in London, United Kingdom | From 14 medals, Phelps has won another 4 gold medals and 2 silver medals, leaving him a total of 22 gold medals in his lifetime. He also competed in the Mesa Grand Prix and Pan Pacific Championships during the summer in which he won three gold medals and two silver medals. |
2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil | This was the last competition that Michael Phelps has as he retires from competitive swimming. By this time, he already had a son named Boomer and his girlfriend who is now his wife at the moment, Nicole johnson. His family watched and supported him in his last Olympic competition. He competed and won for the 200-meter individual medley in Rio which made him set a record for being the first swimmer who consistently won gold in an event for four years. |
The inability to concentrate is really difficult hence it makes his accomplishments even more commendable.