"My mom would make the joke that the swimming pool is our church" - Michael Phelps on his "spiritual background"

Michael Phelps recalled his mother Debbie Phelps jokingly referring to the swimming pool as the church since the Olympian didn't grow up visiting the church except for occasions like Christmas Eve and Easter. However, he believed in a higher power and that there was a reason for him to achieve such success.

Michael Phelps started swimming at seven after his mother signed him up. When he was ten years old, Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD and struggled to stay focused or show interest in studies. His mother handed him sports books and tailored lessons according to the former swimming legend's interests.

Debbie Phelps once reflected on the development of her son's self-discipline, sharing that the first thing Phelps would do at special celebrations like Christmas was swim.

"Even on Christmas, the pool is the first place we go, and he’s happy to be there." (via Additude Mag, July 2024)

In a recent podcast, host Tim Shiver asked the 23-time Olympic gold medalist and his wife Nicole about their 'spiritual background'. Phelps recalled how he never grew up going to church and his mother often joked that the pool was his church. He also shared that his idea of a higher power wasn't clear but he continued to interact with that someone in different ways, especially swimming.

"I never really grew up going to church. We would go, what was it, it would be like Christmas Eve and maybe Easter. And we would go with a family friend and my answer is very similar to Nicole's. I know there is a higher power. I don't know what it is. But I'm obviously here for some reason on this earth. Somebody put me here and somebody made me who I am for a reason. I speak to whoever that person is in multiple different ways, I guess. Growing up as a kid, I guess my mom would make the joke that the swimming pool is our church," he said. (12:25)

Nicole Phelps also spoke in the same line about the higher power but not knowing what it is.

Michael Phelps found the meaning of his life after reading Rick Warren's 'The Purpose Driven Life'

Michael Phelps, USA, winning the Gold Medal in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final at the 2012 Olympics (Image Source: Getty)

Michael Phelps was at the mouth of severe depression after winning his first gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He felt the weight of winning more and even contemplated taking his life after the 2012 London Olympics. In 2014, the depression-struck Olympian was pulled over for speeding, which landed him with a DUI. Following that incident, Ray Lewis, a then-linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens and Phelps' friend introduced him to Rick Warren's 'The Purpose Driven Life'.

The tables turned when the latter realized "there is a power greater than myself and purpose for me on this planet". (via Church Leaders)

The Baltimore native immediately called Lewis up to thank him for recommending such a life-changing book and saving his life.

"Man this book is crazy! The thing that's going on...oh my gosh...my brain, I can't thank you freaking enough, man. You saved my life," he said. (via Christian Today)

Michael Phelps etched his name as the most decorated Olympic of all time, holding the all-time records for the Olympic medals in individual events and Olympic gold medals.