Each stroke brought Michael Phelps
closer…. so start
swimming! Part 5: World Class Sport Achievers
Brought to you by: www.dream-it-plan-it-do-it.com
• Bob Bowman, his coach,
identified his talent at a
very young age and
supported him in the
development of that
talent. He described him
as a solitary man with an
intense focus who did
not want to lose; he had
a great ambition and
was mentally very
tough. He had the
unique talent of being
able to swim all four
strokes.
LESSONS:
• This American
swimmer is the
most decorated
Olympian of all
time. His
achievements as
world-class
swimmer are
unique and
uncontested in the
history of the
sport.
• His ability to focus and having the drive to want to win, to train his brain and keep it
tough helped him overcome those setbacks and periods in his life when his career
was not developing according to his wishes. He achieved through persistence and by
keeping his focus on his goals.
• He had to overcome many
obstacles in his life in order to
reach the top. He struggled with
ADHD as a child. There were
periods in his career when he
did not have the necessary
motivation. His parents and
coach helped him through that.
In some races when he did not
achieve the goals he had set for
himself.
• His international swimming achievements and record-breaking performances
have earned him many honours and awards.
• The Michael Phelps Foundation is “growing the sport of swimming and
promoting healthy and active lives”. He is involved in other charity
organizations.
• There are some Michael Phelps branded products on the market.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
• “Records are always made to be
broken no matter what they are ...
Anybody can do anything that
they set their mind to.”
• The more you dream the more you achieve.
• It's cool just because I've had this dream of changing the sport of swimming
and it's finally happening.
• You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the father you get.
• “So many people along the
way, whatever it is you aspire
to do, will tell you it can't be
done. But all it takes is
imagination. You dream. You
plan. You reach. There will be
obstacles. There will doubters.
There will be mistakes. But
with hard work, with belief,
with confidence and trust in
yourself and those around
you, there no limits.”
• “I think that everything is
possible as long as you put
your mind to it and you put
the work and time into it. I
think your mind really
controls everything.”
• “I think goals should never
be easy, they should force
you to work, even if they
are uncomfortable at the
time.”
• “I knew I was not a failure in
any way, and so did those
close to me. It doesn't matter
if you fall short; it is never a
failure to go after your goals
with everything you've got.”
• “That's it. That’s Bob's game.
His drill...is really quite
simple- make a habit of doing
things other's weren't willing
to do.”
• “I believe in God;
I'm not saying I'm
highly religious. ”
• “Nothing is
impossible.
With so many
people saying
it couldn't be
done, all it
takes is an
imagination.” References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Phelps. http://www.biography.com/people/michael-phelps-345192 http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org/ http://www.olympic.org/michael-phelps http://www.theguardian.com/sport/michaelphelps http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1453&biosid=4beec290-d7ae-483d-a512-36b18a4e022a http://www.bornrich.com/michael-phelps.html http://www.michaelphelpsskillcenter.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Phelps/e/B001QV50IE http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307161_2,00.html http://www.mensfitness.com/training/training-advice-from-michael-phelps