Michael Phelps On The Watershed article about his mental health that inspired a new NFT series

It has been seven years since Michael Phelps first publicly acknowledged the debilitating mental health issues he had struggled with throughout his legendary swimming career. The news came out in November 2015 Sports Illustrated cover story: The most decorated Olympian of all time struggled with anxiety and depression, and had contemplated suicide.

“I still don’t know why at that particular moment I just put it all out there,” Phelps says today. “For whatever reason, the time and place were perfect and it was like, ‘I’m ready, buckle up.'” Looking back, that’s the moment that probably saved my life—being able to release the things that I had compartmentalized for decades. »

To commemorate that watershed occasion, Phelps and SAY are teaming up for a collection of digital covers coming December 6th via Web3 company OneOf. The collection is a nod to past original sports collectibles trends, with action figures recreated for Phelps’ ninth Sports Illustrated cover. All proceeds will be donated to the foundation Phelps established in 2008.

“It was one of the most meaningful stories of my career,” he says. “Mental health is so important to me and this will help us in what we’re trying to do to reduce the stigma around mental health and give people the help and care they need.”

The story of Phelps’ mental health journey and the ways he uses his influence to help others is ongoing. The chapters continue to evolve through the work of The Michael Phelps Foundation, through his partnership with the online therapy company Talkspace, through just being Michael Phelps.

“Even with everything I’ve been through, I saw a significant opportunity to impact mental health. I’ve seen suicide in the face. I saw myself as a swimmer and not a human being. I had a swim cap on and a pair of goggles, and people just saw me as this kid who wins a whole lot of medals, he says.

“And I’m now on this page where I was able to find the help I needed to be able to look at myself in the mirror and like what I see. I have feelings like everyone else and the struggles I have are just like everyone else’s others are going through. So my thing is, ‘How do we help?’ “

Phelps’ own path to healing began at a residential treatment center, where he was first introduced to therapy.

“I would say therapy has saved me, and it’s helped me process life on dry land a little easier. When I first started seeing a therapist, I thought, ‘I don’t want to do this, it seems difficult.’ Then I came out of my first session and I was like, ‘Wow, that was amazing. The complete opposite of what I thought,'” he says.

“When I was in treatment we had basic feelings that were on the wall and every single day we talked about them. Some days were harder than others, but being able to understand how you feel and communicate is something that is important to all of us.”

The Talkspace partnership was a natural fit for Phelps, who was used to being on the road for large periods of time and understood the danger of pushing off a session because it wasn’t practical to show up for an in-person appointment.

“For me, it’s covering myself and being prepared in any situation,” he says. “If I’m traveling and struggling, I can call, have a Facetime, text my therapist. It’s just a matter of having these tools ready at any time. That’s what I did when I swam. I was prepared. I want to be prepared if there is ever a situation where I spin – and I get triggered – so for me it was perfect.”

Unsurprisingly, he has also taken advantage of the mind-body connection, and he still works out in various capacities six or seven days a week.

“If I’m in a really dark place, I have to take a bath. It’s the only place that’s quiet. I don’t get a lot of quiet time in my life, and if I need that escape, that’s the place I can go and just hit out of my mind because it’s so natural.”

Phelps also does his share of record keeping. “I still write a lot, and I like to go back and look at it,” he says. “I’m quite detailed about what’s going on. Whether I wasn’t getting enough sleep or not getting enough water…throughout my career I’ve been used to paying attention to every little detail and I just want to give myself the best chance every single day to be the best me. Obviously, some days are harder than others, but if I can get 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent out of that day, that’s a win.”

Through his foundation, whose signature program IM is a multi-faceted life skills curriculum focused on water safety; physical, social and emotional health; and goal setting, he partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – the program has reached more than 35,000 participants – and Special Olympics International.

“Whether it’s kids overcoming their fear of swimming and becoming more confident, and then their grades improve in school and everything starts moving forward – I love being able to hear the stories,” he says.

In fact, Phelps thrives on feedback. “If someone steps up and becomes vulnerable and shares their story because I’ve shared my journey — to me, that’s bigger than anything else,” he says.

“For a long time I felt like I was standing on top of that mountain and screaming and no one was listening. And now we’re at a point where more people are throwing their hands up in the air to try to get people to listen. We don’t shut these things down and hold onto them, and hopefully that allows people to be their authentic selves again.”

Of course there is feedback and there is feedback.

A few years ago, Phelps was approached by a man at an airport who asked how he spent his time. Phelps responded that he has focused on helping to destigmatize mental health. “He said, ‘So, you’re telling me you’re talking about your mental health and you think that’s going to help people?'” Phelps recalls. “And then he says, ‘I think it’s almost a sign of weakness.’ And at that point I took out both of my headsets and said, ‘Dude …'”

After some more back-and-forth in which the man insisted that neither he nor anyone close to him struggled with PTSD, anxiety, depression — “I listed 10 different things,” Phelps says — Phelps finally ended the conversation. It was a moment of frustration, but this is a man who knows how to channel frustration into opportunity.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it, but at the time I was like: ‘This is exactly why I do what I do,” he says.

“I want the foundation’s mental health department to continue to develop. Each person needs something different, so I want to be able to give everyone the opportunity to try to save a life. Saving a life is much more important than ever winning a gold medal. “

Mind Reading (formerly Hollywood & Mind) is a recurring column that lives at the intersection of entertainment and wellness, and features interviews with musicians, actors and other cultural influencers who elevate the conversation around mental health.