Michael Phelps: Inspiration? You BeT
Michael Phelps:
What a breathtaking display of athleticism. 
And now………… one of the most decorated Olympians in history.
Booyah!
It was so surreal to be Michael Phelps here, to listen to people debate whether he is the greatest athlete in Olympic history after he passed a group that included the runners Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurmi to become the one with the most gold medals.
Phelps is a self-described klutz, a real fish out of water on land, and he has a surgical scar on his right wrist to prove it.
In October he took a nasty stumble that imperiled his pursuit of Mark Spitz’s single Games record of seven gold medals. Phelps, 23, slipped on a patch of ice and fell while climbing into a friend’s car in Michigan and broke his right wrist.
Phelps’s epic journey ends in a perfect 8Not to be overlooked was the psychological component. When one swimmer achieves what was once unthinkable, be it Phelps breaking 1 minute 43 seconds in the 200-meter freestyle or 4:04 in the 400-meter individual medley, it makes every barrier suddenly look vulnerable.
Whenever one of my clients asked me which one was Michael Phelps…I looked up at the huge screen in the lobby and simply said: “Oh, the one in the lead.”
The difference between a win and a loss in swimming my friends, is defined in hundredths of a second.
How does ones body and mind withstand the stress?
When Michael thrust his fist in the air in exultation, guess what? He wasn’t the only one being pumped up by his victory.
He has inspired thousands.
THIS is why he inspired me:
Michael Phelps Struggled With ADHD As A Child
At age 9, his doctor diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which affects more than four million children in the U.S.
Like many kids with ADHD, Michael’s treatment was medication and behavior modification.
Debbie quickly realized that tightly scheduling Michael’s time proved effective in calming his behavior, as did one of his favorite sports: swimming.
“When you look at the sport of swimming, it’s very regimented. There’s time management built into that component, there’s set things you do sequentially,” Phelps said.By 11, Michael was managing his ADHD without medication.
No whining.
No blame placing.
No making excuses.
What making excuses does is negate responsibility, and it is responsibility that separates Conservatives from Liberals in the end.
We are all ultimately responsible for what we could become. Despite adversity, and in spite of handicaps.
Taking responsibility for ourselves breeds self mastery, competence and a feeling of inner strength and power.
Your success or failure in this life depends on YOU.
Your choices. Your attitude.
Not government.
Not yo mama and daddy.
Not what socio economic class or race you were born into to.
You.
You.
You. 
Thanks for exemplifying this Michael.
How did he overcome you ask?
The old fashioned way:
Hard work and unending discipline.
A willingness to meet challenges head-on, not sitting back and waiting for others to take control of his life.
Making our deficits into strengths.
Is that not what it’s all about in the end?
Yes Michael, You made a splash alright, and the ripple is being felt around the Universe.
“What do you want more than anything now that you made Olympic history”?, he was asked.
Phelps’ biggest craving
A big fat cheeseburger and fries, he said.
Heh. All American boy or what?
You got cravings for junk food Michael?
I got three words for ya hun.
GO FOR IT.
Sharing the inspiration with y’all and my friends at The Virtuous Republic, Perri Nelson’s Website, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Mark My Words, A Blog For All, Right Truth, DragonLady’s World, Shadowscope, Cao’s Blog, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Nuke’s, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, , and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
if i swim that much, do i get to eat all those delicious looking foods???????? lol
August 18th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
And maybe he didn’t really have ADHD and just was an active kid who needed a channel for his energy. When he was growing up, it was the “rage” to diagnose ADHD to any kid with energy. So many kids grew up with drugs in their system when all they really needed was a channel for their energy and for their parents to cut out all the sugar from their diet.
Haven’t been watching the Olympics, they are on NBC and I’m boycotting that channel. But have been reading about his feat. Way to go!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
The really crazy bit is his diet, a champion, a human freak, a marvel powered by junk food. Throw that in the face of the govt. nannies the next time they wag their fingers at you.
There’s also that lunatic from Jamaica who won the 100m, i couldn’t believe him, he finished the race sideways, what the heck!
By the way, something that will grate with any liberal, Phelps thinks that getting a photo with George W. is cool.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
In my eight years in a public classroom I met a handful of kids who really NEEDED their meds to get through the day. A handful. The rest, if they forgot to take their meds in the morning, we just went through our day like normal. Yes. With LOTS of challenging moments, BUT without the meds. At the end of the day I would always say, “So? Shall we call Mom and tell her what kind of day you had?” (Now keep in mind, most of these kids were used to that being a threat.) 9 times outta 10 they’d say, “YES!” And call I would. The sad truth? Most would say, “That’s great Mrs. Shooter. I’ll make sure he takes it tomorrow though…just to be sure he behaves.” Wow. And they wonder why their teens don’t have a prob trying new drugs…
I agree with Debbie’s approach. And look what Michael became because someone cared enough to do something different. To invest in him.
Okay, I am stepping off my soapbox. Thank you for the platform today.
August 19th, 2008 at 4:41 am
GREAT Post and how very true…It is because he is a white guy though, he had more help from the government and he was in better schools and he was handed the medals and oh hell I can’t even say that….Libtards thoughts…sorry.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Nice one, Angel! Phelps is absolutely amazing. America has kicked butt again. I’m a firm believer in kids trying to manage ADHD without medication if at all possible. The fact that he was able to achieve this level of discipline is a testament to the human spirit for sure.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:05 am
YUMMMM!!!! How good does that food look?! What an inspiration he is to all the “aspiring” athletes
August 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Why’d ya have to go and put all that food out there? Now I’m HUNGRY! lol. Hiya, Sweet Lady.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:26 am
All that food looks so good! I could eat hamburgers all day. With cheese. And fries. Groan.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Iraqi, American city councils share ideas on local government…
But on Aug. 10, the Hanscom VTC became the site of a unique civics lesson between members of the New Bedford, Mass., City Council and about 30 city and town officials from various districts in Iraq…
August 19th, 2008 at 9:43 am
August 19th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Why is it that you write about swimming and sports and the comments center around food?
August 19th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Wait till I leave my undisclosed location!!!! Phelps will have more than a run for his money.I am the Original Terminator!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Wow, that burger looked good.
Any how, I’m so glad that they couldn’r screw him out of a win like they did last night to that young lady Nastia Liuken over their stupid tie breaking point scoring system
August 19th, 2008 at 10:52 am
That’s it. I’m becoming an Olympic swimmer so I can eat like Phelps! LOL!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I saw him on FNF this morning, I love this guy, very genuine, he’s says he wants to change swimming the way Michael Jordan changed basketball and the Tiger Woods changed golfwhat a genuine guy, he’s the guy to do it.
I tell you what, I swam competitively from age 7-14, it’s the greatest exercise for you, easy on the joints and you use almost all of your muscles, no wonder he can eat what he eats!
Back to the pool for me
August 19th, 2008 at 11:43 am
My interest in the Olympics is pretty slight… but I am so impressed with Mr. Phelps. He really does speak and represent this beautiful nation so well.
My hat is off and a deep bow at the waist in the direction of both Katie and Straight Shooter! I wholeheartedly agree with your views regarding the drugging of the alleged ADHD children. Everybody seemingly wishes to fix everything with a pill… even that which often needs only understanding and a different, appropriate and individual approach. I guess that is deemed more effort than we often are interested in putting forth. Yes, real caring requires more work. So much easier to be lazy…
Great post, Hot Rod!
August 19th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Eight for eight is impressive. It’s nice to see someone that can show that individuals can still accomplish something in the big commune that is international competition anymore.
But to be honest, I haven’t been interested in the Olympic games this year, or for the past couple of decades. The coverage has been lackluster, I’m tired of hearing about the arduous path that the athletes take to get to the games, barely surviving this adversity or that. And the political tone of the games leaves me disenchanted as well.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
When I was a kid there was no such thing as ADHD …. there were however lot’s of kids just like Michael that were considered too boisterous …. too hard to keep quiet and had way too much energy for adults to deal with.
I was one and the answer for me and my peers who had the same problem with being stuffed into a school desk for hours on end was …..
Yes indeed SPORTS … physical activity and competitive challenges.
They called it in the day, Character Building and the positive results were seen as the discipline of competitive sport and teamwork.
Labels like ADHD and such are the modern day Excuses for failing to put the time and effort into building character into youth and the worst failure is the poisoning of children for the mere sake of making life more convenient for teachers and parents who lack the character to take responsibility themselves.
So three cheers for Michael Phelps for his Olympic success but most of all for overcoming the handicap of those who felt it necessary to label him and drug him out of their own weakness.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I did not know about the hyperactive disorder. You are so right Angel, personal responsibility. I push that all the time. We have raised some folks to be whiners and they expect somebody else to come along and take care of them, solve all their problems.
Yikes, you had to put all that good chocolate into the article. Hee hee Yum Yum. he eats 12,000 calories a day. My dream ….
August 19th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Phelps is remarkable in every way. Indeed, he is truly gifted. We all saw the proof in Beijing.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
An inspiring post, Angel!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Finally a really feel good story…
Courtesy of the “Angel”…
great work…brings a smile to my face..only wish it could outlast the Olympics. (10 days or more)
August 20th, 2008 at 7:31 am
In Australia we love him!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
What I find amazing other than the obvious is 12,000 calories per day. I realize there is some serious work going on here but 12,000, YIKES!
Another exceptional post Angel.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Props to all those who have struggles in life and manage to pull themselves together for the purpose of achievement. Not only is Michael Phelps a role model to us all but he and his family are a clear example that persistence is golden!
GO USA!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Loved watching Michael win…!
And that food. Now I have a craving, except I don’t work half as hard as he does.
August 21st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Great post as usual!! You know there are two things that are really sad in this great story known as Phelps going 8-8 in this years games..
August 21st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Great post as usual!! You know there are two things that are really sad in this great story known as Phelps going 8-8 in this years games..
#1 After his 3rd win/world record setting race, the whispers of steroids started coming out. I was glad to hear Phelps stand up for himself and say he is participating in the extra drug testing in this years games. Good for you Michael!!
#2 After his 8th gold medal it was released that he was going to be on two cereal boxes in the coming weeks and one of those is Frosted Flakes, *his favorite cereal* Well parents are all pissy because he is endorsing a product that has 3 times the sugar as most normal cereals.. Hey again GOOD FOR YOU MICHAEL!! Thank you for not just taking the money to endorse some crap you don’t eat! I wish more athletes would do take this approach when they get calls form their agents about endorsing crap they could give a damn less about!!!
BRAVO MR. PHELPS!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Oh, come on! Will you stop posting all these food pictures? Knock it off! I can’t read your blog wihtout having to wander into the kitchen to see what’s edible. Sheesh! This blog is fattening!
Sheesh!
August 29th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Just say 93/7 ground beef, homemade fries-olive oil and Blue Bunny icecream. Oh heck….Red Robin here I come! LOL!!!!