"Never going to be able to snap my fingers and say, 'Leave me alone'" - When Michael Phelps reflected on understanding his mental health struggles

Michael Phelps once shared how he got a better understanding of his mental health struggles. Phelps said he experienced depression for the first time following the 2004 Athens Olympics, which took the form of post-Olympic depression as he struggled with a sense of emptiness after accomplishing massive success.

However, it wasn’t until 2014, a decade later, that he began therapy, which played an integral role in managing and improving his mental health. After starting therapy and sharing his mental health struggles with the world, he said he gained a deeper understanding of himself.

In an interview with Healthline.com in 2022, Phelps shared that he understood that depression and anxiety cannot simply vanish. He acknowledged that these mental health challenges are part of his identity and added that managing them requires continuous effort and self-awareness. He said:

“My depression and my anxiety is never going to just disappear. I’m never going to be able to snap my fingers and say ‘Go away. Leave me alone.’ It makes me. It is a part of me. It’s always going to be a part of me.”

Michael Phelps added:

“For [my mental health], I can’t expect to have every answer today, but I also have to give myself forgiveness because I’m still learning and at times that is hard.”

To this day, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist remains a strong advocate for mental health as he continues to speak out despite his retirement from competitive swimming after the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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Michael Phelps addressed rumors about a potential return to competitive swimming

Michael Phelps (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

In an interview with GQ during the Paris Olympics 2024, Michael Phelps opened up about the rumors surrounding a possible return to competitive swimming. Although he acknowledged that he missed competing, he made it clear that he has no desire to return to the sport. He responded:

“I mean, of course, you always miss competing. I think that the one thing I probably missed the most is standing on top of the podium, hearing a national anthem play that just never gets old. But for me, somebody asked me in the other room, I guess there's a rumor that I'm coming back.”

Phelps, the most decorated male Olympian of all time, further mentioned:

“Have you guys ever heard that? Have I said anything like that? No, I haven’t. But for me, I have no desire.”

In the same interview, Phelps shared that he enjoyed watching other athletes compete despite being away from the sport. Besides this, he has found new ways to stay competitive like playing golf with friends.