This summer Michael Phelps will compete in his third summer Olympics. You might think an athlete that has already won 16 medals, including 14 gold, and earned tens of millions of dollars in endorsements, would have trouble finding motivation to train.
And you're right.
In this fascinating piece on 60 Minutes, Anderson Cooper spent some time with Phelps, where the swimming champion admits he hit rock bottom and often wants to quit.
But somehow he found his second (third?) wind, and is now gearing for London.
On the next few pages we will take a look at the life of Michael Phelps and how he is getting ready for what will likely be his last major competition.
The story opens with Anderson Cooper telling us how hard the last three years of Michael Phelps' life has been, but that he is "ready to make history"
Digging the socks
A typical day for Phelps begins at 6:20 in the morning, even on Saturdays, with Cooper saying he hasn't been this committed since the last Olympics
Phelps admits that there are "countless times" when he just wanted to quit
However, with the Olympics close, Phelps says he is actually having fun and is finally swimming well again
His new training has placed a stronger emphasis on weight training
Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, says he was very worried a year ago, calling Phelps a "2" on a scale of 1-10, but that Phelps is now a "9"
Phelps called this photo of him with a marijuana pipe "the lowest point of his career."
Another low point came in 2010 when Phelps skipped an important practice prior to Nationals because he watched "The Hangover" and decided he'd rather be in Vegas
Phelps uses this "treadmill for swimmers" to supplement his training
Phelps wouldn't show the cameras, but he now sleeps in a chamber that simulates high altitude. Right now he is sleeping at "8,500-9,000 feet." Phelps described it as being like "the boy in the bubble."
Anybody can do this, right?
