Michael Phelps, the legendary Olympic swimmer, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once known for his sleek and shaved physique, Phelps now sports a full beard and a man bun, a stark contrast to his days in the pool. This change has sparked curiosity and even admiration from fans, who marvel at his ability to pull off the man bun, with one commenter on X calling him 'one of the few men who can do it.'
But this transformation goes beyond just his appearance. Phelps has also undergone a profound personal journey, opening up about his struggles with depression and anxiety. In an interview with Fortune, he shared that he had kept his mental health issues hidden for two decades, fearing that opening up would give his competitors an edge. However, after checking himself into a treatment center in 2014, Phelps found relief and a new sense of self.
'I started feeling like a person…I guess I could love myself and like who I saw,' he told Healthline. 'I think for a long time, I looked at myself as a swimmer and not a human, so being able to learn more about me, how I worked, why I work that way through treatment and through unpacking all the extra crap that I had inside of me.'
Phelps' openness about his mental health struggles has been a powerful message for men, encouraging them to seek help and support. His journey is a testament to the power of self-reflection and the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, even for the most accomplished athletes. So, while Phelps may look different on the outside, his inner transformation is what truly inspires and motivates his fans.
