Michael Phelps’ wife, Nicole Phelps, made her feelings known about the legendary swimmer’s take on helping others with their mental health concerns. The couple has now been together for almost two decades after meeting for the first time in 2007. They had an on-and-off relationship for several years before getting married in 2016.
Along with a fulfilling personal life, Phelps also enjoyed an illustrious career. He is the most decorated Olympic swimmer, having won 28 medals, including 23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals. In addition to this, he also proved his prowess in the World Championships, having won 33 medals, including 26 gold, 6 silver, and 1 bronze. He retired from the sport after competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Outside of his swimming heroics, the American has also made his name for his mental health advocacy. He has launched a foundation that focuses on mental wellness and emphasizes solutions for depression and suicidal thoughts, especially among athletes. He recently received the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for his significant contribution beyond swimming.
Following this feat, he spoke to SI, where he was asked about what legacy means to him when he looks back at his career. Highlighting his passion for creating mental health awareness, he said:
“I think for me, if I look at the term legacy, it’s not just what you’ve done, whether it’s in the pool or on the playing field. It’s what you’ve done throughout everything. And I’d say that the things I’m trying to do in mental health and in that space, I would say, would outweigh everything I did in the pool. Being able to save a life, I think is way more important than ever winning a gold medal,” said Michael Phelps.
This video was re-shared by his wife on her Instagram story. She exuded pride over his lasting impact on mental health awareness, writing:
“Proud doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings…”
When Michael Phelps Opened Up About His Hardships During Mental Health Awareness
In May 2025, Michael Phelps reflected upon his own hardships with mental health. Taking to his Instagram, he penned a heartfelt note, stating that he wasn’t his authentic self throughout his career. He shared his conversation with TalkSpace that read:
“Throughout my career I became very good at compartmentalising. A lot of times I wasn’t my authentic self,” said Michael Phelps.
In the caption of this post, he asked people to seek help. Asking them to acknowledge their traumas and more, he said:
“It’s hard to face the things you’ve learned to hide away – shame, trauma, the symptoms of something larger. But I’ve learned that the more you avoid, the tighter its hold on you.”
He further revealed his partnership with TalkSpace to create more awareness about having the courage and confidence to face fears and anxiety.
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