The Real Michael Phelps: Beyond the Medals and Records | Undeniable with Joe Buck

Joe Buck sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist and swimming legend Michael Phelps. From being diagnosed with ADHD to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time, Phelps explains why overcoming obstacles was key to his success. This is not just a tale of sports triumph but a deeply personal saga of resilience, determination, and the unyielding will to be the best.
#joebuck #michaelphelps #olympics
CHAPTERS:
0:22 - Intro to Michael Phelps
2:27 - Michael Phelps Early Life
7:06 - Absent Father Impact
9:11 - Michael Phelps Goal Setting at 12
10:38 - Influence of Phelps' Mother
14:04 - 2004 Athens Olympics
16:55 - Phelps' First DUI Incident
19:00 - Phelps' Mental Compartmentalization
20:15 - Quest for 8 Gold Medals
23:30 - 4x100 Freestyle Relay Victory
25:08 - 200m Freestyle Strategy
26:44 - 200m Butterfly Triumph
28:10 - Phelps' Recovery Journey
31:24 - Controversy: Bong Photo Scandal
34:57 - Training for 2012 Olympics
36:11 - 2012 London Olympics Highlights
36:45 - Phelps' Second DUI
38:30 - Michael Phelps' Darkest Moment
42:14 - Healing Through Letter Writing
45:36 - Michael Phelps and Nicole Johnson
46:28 - Future Plans for Michael Phelps

[@FilmCutterInLV]

Ms Phelps was my home economics teacher in middle school. She brought baby Michael in one day. Who knew I was meeting greatness in a diaper.

[@CarlosGarcia-er5kl]

Love it 🎉

[@runninggirl2765]

Swimming glory, gold medals, world records.......All aside, I just love how he loves his mom.

[@alexandermills382]

This documentary needs updating. There will never be another like Phelps.

[@caterinaconti6385]

What a realistic, grateful, down to earth super star. I love every word he says. What a great interview. TY!

[@LatrellSprewell15]

The greatest athlete of all time. I dont see how anyone can deny that. He went against the best in the world and destroyed everyone.

[@YouthIncSports]

Agreed

[@uncletony6210]

I don't know. Did he swim better than MJ hooped, Novak play tennis, Bolt ran, etc.?

[@jakemaattanen]

Most accomplished, most records. In his chosen field. All time great! All due respect! You just cant compare different sports.

[@Snakeman612]

Most records in his chosen field would be Wayne Gretzky nice try​@@jakemaattanen

[@jakemaattanen]

@@Snakeman612 Yes. Greztky has most in his and Phelps has most in his? Point was not being able to compared the two, or any for that matter.

[@edwright8053]

My mom passed in 2012 and loved her throughout all the turmoil we endured together until her death I miss her an to see him adore his mother like he does he allowed her to be his rock and for that he’s a better husband..fellas love thy mother!

[@donbcdn]

Simply The Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever!! - PERIOD.

[@markruane3660]

Jim thorpe is the greatest olympic athelete ever PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@petedanis4459]

Shawn White needs consideration as well.

[@robertrobert9227]

@@petedanis4459 he was magnificent in his Half-pipe wins but . He only won maybe 4 medals . It is difficult to set a competitive comparison between the two as athletes…. We can only count medals….and it would take another 10 Olympics for him to possibly win as many.

[@lostinspace699]

No ,, But it dose not mater any way ..

[@rhevaacevedo2663]

WOW! What a great interview! Great achievers! Love Michael's openness.

[@karenanderson5218]

It is so nice to see what a wonderful young man you are. I am so happy to see you in such a good place..Thanks for all those wonderful Olympic years. You brought so much joy to millions of people.

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

He has struggled deeply with Depression. He has not won any medals in that contest. Reports are that he is not happy being alive.

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Other great Olympians have had really screwed up lives. Look at Miss Reton. Look at Bruce Jenner. So many others.

[@MF-kr4hf]

Don't know why: he earned his freedom, success, and fame; not much to be depressed about.. I just don't see Michael Phelps being depressed, and he does say that he wouldn't trade his life for anything!

[@sandrahossman2089]

He is a great swimmer and man. I attended a swim camp where he was one of the coaches.

[@sylviajordan3544]

Great interview! Great achievers! Love is openness. He is so humbled with humility ❤🙏

[@user-zw4qg2sz5k]

Truly the GOAT. And yet, a truly humble, honest guy ❤

[@lianxiangliu9351]

What a great human being!

[@oscarjr.cobarrubias6678]

What an athlete.

[@brandygates6583]

This has been a very inspiring story. Glad to learn what he went through behind the scenes of all of his success!!

[@GGmanlife]

Wow this was such a fantastic interview

[@MarcEvans-lj1rk]

I must admit there's a lot of empathy I felt listening to Michael. He definitely has struggled (and seems to even now) with intense emotions and unless, he's looking at films of his successes or talking about swimming, the training process (so clearly defined by him not a coach) or how his training regimen "gave him" stability and happiness. So, I had to wonder "what" might have become of him had his mom and sisters not taken him to the pool where he finally, found his place and happiness? Those three are/were his saviors and because he had such a narrow attention and focus at the earliest of ages (and felt the comfort from training and support) he lived in a happy place of comfort lap after lap. And along with incomparable talent beyond imagination and a will he became the champion we all admire. Yet, listening to him closely it is normalcy he desires more than anything. And to that I wish a great path one moment and "stroke" at a time. BTW I also, think Jason Lezak's swims were such an amazing memory for me....good to see those moments inserted in this conversation.

[@carrollbridges6427]

Everyone will fall, but it's what u do after that that makes u who u are.

[@skaz777]

‘Agree with Joe, his openness is golden, and it will help so many people that see this interview. But Joe, do you realize how entertaining you are in your interviews? You are unmatched my man.

[@billydhodges]

EXCELLENT show! Great guy!

[@jeffholt3841]

His adhd was his superpower. High energy, hyper focus on something that interests you.

[@ronaldzent6321]

One of the best and most honest and revealing interviews that Joe has done.

[@mariannezeno3888]

Great interview!

[@VG_UKR]

I'm reading MP's book "No limits. The will to succeed" right now. I was a competitive swimmer also, but at a much lower level though. Although everything - 8 golds - happened in distant 2008 it's a very interesting story full of insights. Great sportsman raised by great people!

[@Susan.I]

Thank God he went to a treatment center after his second DUI!!! It may have save his life!!!

[@susanlansbury276]

You are someone who would be such an incredible friend. And brother. And father!!!! Love you much.

[@rajeevgulati5180]

My eyes in tears in joy when i look at you. ❤

[@sergiotim]

ADHD is a real important topic of discussion thanks for talk about it in the show!

[@robertgeorge9909]

Having severe ADHD and having been a competitive swimmer for twelve years I know exactly how Michael felt relief in the pool. Repetitive exercise is therapy. At age 76 I still paddle or bike hard 2 hours every day.

[@wesleytwiggs7687]

@@robertgeorge99092 hours every single day? If that’s actually true and not just every other day, that’s amazing. Most fit men can’t do a high effort workout for 2 hours every day.

[@jeannettezinai3213]

Love your humidity. Wish mire people were like you.

[@nancynelosn5830]

I have always liked him , even in his challenging times. Now I live him and wish much happiness for him. So charming and normal.

[@sandrahossman2089]

As a masters swimmer, Michael you have changed our sport for the better.

[@caterinaconti6385]

Yes, Michael Phelps and, to be fair, let's not ignore Mark Spitz.

[@sandrahossman2089]

@caterinaconti6385 is true, but i was just an 8 grade swimmer during Mark Spitz time.

[@caterinaconti6385]

@sandrahossman2089 Sandra, are you referring to yourself or speaking for Michael Phelps? Yes, Mark Spitz is a few decades older than Phelps. I remember Mark Spitz was big during the ill-fated Munich Olypics. I was a very young model and actress in Munich. Sadly, the attack on the Israeli Olympic team also took place in Munich by Palestinian terrorists. 2 Israeli athletes were killed.

[@caterinaconti6385]

@sandrahossman2089 Are you referring to yourself or are you speaking for Michael Phelps? Yes, there are several decades in age difference btw Phelps & Mark Spitz. Spitz was the superstar during the I'll fated 1972 Olympic Summer games in Munich, Germany. I was a very young model & actress in Munich. I still remember the brutal terrorist attack on the Israel athletes by a Palestinian Terrorist group. Repost from Wikipedia: The Munich massacre was a terrorist attack carried out during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, by eight members of the Palestinian militant organization "Black September," who infiltrated the Olympic Village, killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team, and took nine others hostage. I still remember the terrible news like yesterday. 😱 😰 😭

[@stanislavkrepak7645]

Love this!!

[@ianwright3349]

Great interview. Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer and person and one of the best 'color' commentators in any sport. Great insights.

[@Mush4Christ]

On 14mins in and this is ALREADY MIND BLOWING!!!! Wow!!! Phelps - you are the GOAT!!!

[@CarlosGarcia-er5kl]

I'm not on minute ten yet.... Already sharing the video with everybody❤

[@brianriley2488]

In a word: BRILLIANT 👍🙏

[@charliekeesman2278]

im so understanding

[@DuKoss]

365 days of training this is his past life . Goat

[@wilmaphillips2805]

Loved to watch him swim 😊

[@ramonbautistamacaraig2846]

Nice one

[@user-it4sw3ry9p]

What an amazing swimmer. Might he have a movie career in the future?

[@attilamaradi]

LEGEND

[@JIKUBUYE]

❤🙌🏻free to be vulnerable as great as you’re

[@angellosmalefakis1321]

This is an OLD show prior to the Rio Olympics. Very old show from Mar/Apr/May 2016. He was engaged to Nicole. He got married in 2016. As of today he has four (4) sons. Wonderful interview dwelling into the life of an athlete. Very personal. Wonderful and amazing interview.

[@blueliam]

Thank you. I was wondering why he called his wife his fiancé and didn’t mention his kids at all. This explains it all. The person who made this vid should’ve mentioned it

[@a.p.w.1aski644]

Now Bob Bowman is coaching the next swimmer who will break all of Phelps records. Leon Marchand

[@manuellusitano5025]

I guess that the world will never see a more accomplished swimmer again. From the clues heard during the conversation (after coming back from retirement and before the Rio Olympics), this video may have been done in 2014/early 2015.

[@sarahseifert8516]

I love him so much he’s amazing!!

[@mohammedkhan8007]

Phelps is the GOAT olympian.

[@mikewhite4560]

Great Interview Michael, HONESTY. Bipolar Here. Your INSPIRING...😅

[@VicInNocal]

To me the most amazing feat Phelps achieved was putting up with the incredible boredom that must be training in a pool all day doing the same thing over and over. At leats other sports have aspects to them that make them FUN. Basketball is fun, tennis is fun, etc.

[@ccbgaming6994]

I could say the same about practicing drills or shooting or serves… the point is that you have to MAKE it interesting somehow

[@JackMason-oq8lf]

Winning is fun.....1st Place is fun ......Blue Ribbon is fun.....Olympic Gold is fun.....Greatest Olympian is fun. Millions watched Jordan play. Zillions watched Phelps win.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

My aunt and grandmother lived on Chesapeake Ave in Baltimore. My oldest granddaughter lives on Chesapeake Ave in Portland Texas.

[@travels129]

Greatest swimming of all time ledgend

[@Maverek900]

When was this filmed? seems like it was years ago but uploaded just a few days ago??

[@adamreebs2585]

Defiantly before Rio

[@terencechua3489]

He had just moved to Arizona to be with Bob Bowman 2mths prior to this interview, so it was mid to late 2014.

[@ronaldzent6321]

The absolute GOAT in the pool. The geat ones seem to always work the hardest and maintain midesty and don't let media and other outside distractions derail them( excess partying, clubs, blowing huge sums of cash, etc) think Michael Phelps is the equivalent of Tom Brady or Wayne Gretzky in his sport. Or, Michael Jordan. Work hard and stay humble

[@YoSweet]

Wow I can really relate to his childhood, I was on some type of swim team at the YMCA since i was a toddler before minnows, guppies, all the way to Dolphins right before high school. I played all the sports all the time my mom told me it was so I was not around all the arguing at home. It was overwhelming being so busy all the time but I was best at swimming. Would go to regionals and qualify for nationals at the end i got really good. But my brother was a popular varsity wrestler, I wanted to be like him. Our high school team was ranked in the top 10 nationally and won states every year. Literally our JV could have beat all but 2 or 3 other high schools varsity teams, our JV would go wrestle in the local varsity tournaments and win overall, while our varsity would go to the big national tournaments. Our high school swim team was average with a few stand out individuals. My worst decision was quitting the swim team to wrestle. I placed in the state but would have been a way better swimmer and most likely got a scholarship. I ended up with a bunch of injuries that have had lasting effects and at the time doctors were prescribing pain pills a lot so I had to battle that addiction, and when I went off to college out of state and ran out i was sick as a dog. I really wish I would have stuck with swimming. Would have been no where close to as good as Phelps of course, I think God blessed him with the ideal body for swimming.

[@charlesbromberick4247]

"If you want to be the best, you have to do the things that other people aren´t willing to do."

[@ratso4443]

A great athlete but a likeable man.

[@timjacobsen3141]

This interview definitely was not filmed yesterday..

[@shanelambert2969]

Really disappointed that the highlights get cut so much..especially in the football ones

[@deerhoda7574]

Nice guy.

[@ryt2178]

What were the 3 setbacks that were mentioned in the interview?

[@kentlarsen5834]

Joe don't be rude a press Michael where the medals are. You have Michael right in front of you. Give respect to the man who worked his butt off to be who he is today and forever. We will remember Michael as a legend.

[@BlackConnection337]

No wonder he swims so fast his arms has no bones 😅 In all seriousness he seems like a great man

[@traciebooth8175]

Great ambassador to humans

[@marieazrak1951]

My family and I watched you growing up but we were all in school. I said Thursday night, but my sister tonight did swim team in our community neighbourhood growing up we took turns so when we lived in Colorado my older sister was part of the neighbourhood swim team and then when we moved back to Michigan, my little sister and I were part of the fat, dolphin, swim team and then when I got to high school my sophomore year, I was part of my junior varsity swim team. I never did it professionally like you did because I’m not that fast

[@H.J.L]

Was this recorded before 2016?

[@carlowens9720]

Doubled the great Mark Spitz awesome!!!!

[@MrKAKARONALDOMESSI]

How I wish I could go back to 2004

[@roybal1975]

So this was recorded 2015?

[@sinhaanip]

The closest guy to a Superman !

[@satishnaik1984]

most decorated olypian of all time .. golden fish❤

[@b4love91]

Micheal P is a GOAT 👏🏾😁😁

[@shadaecollins3127]

The g.o.a.t ❤❤❤

[@charleshenry8194]

Jason Lezak single handedly saved Michael Phelps gold medals, he was the Goat supporting cast. No way they should have won that 400 m free relay over the French. I forgot he also anchored the last lap of Phelps last medal….

[@brianpais3562]

One'More " GOLD...."..Today🎉

[@sarangsharma5346]

31:22 thats all you need to know about the man, to every person their mothers are the best to them as they should be

[@j4mbi_]

This is not a recent interview.

[@edgardoberlioz2168]

MP was suffering from depression

[@user-sv2pk4ib8u]

❤❤❤❤ ❤❤❤❤

[@kiamanawatini9512]

🙌🏽😍

[@toneice1021]

How old are these interviews?

[@frankcouste4785]

I was wondering the same thing I watched one the other day I forgot who it was but they said the date. It was about 5 or 6 years

[@samuelsuggs9751]

​@@frankcouste4785I think it's older than that because he hadn't been to the 2016 Olympics in Rio yet.

[@user-it4sw3ry9p]

What is your goals for 2024 going forward?

[@joshjeffrey4373]

This is old. It's pre-2016.

[@sbacpo8213]

23 Gold Medals. 23

[@arion316]

Missed the sock party and went straight to barefoot business casual

[@phelpsmarc]

Michael thank you for putting our last name on the map. Nobody will ever again ask me if my last name starts with "F"

[@corrycorry6734]

I wouldn’t tell y’all where my medals were either.

[@lindabroussard1402]

Once said I have gone to find the real me. If the real me gets back before I do. Keep it here until I return. 😢😮😊

[@cristian.rodas33]

My idol in and out of the pool MP, wise words always spoken by such legend. 💪🏻🏊🏻‍♂️🐐

[@jameson6930]

Whoever this Lezak guy is Phelps owes him a little.

[@rigysx3409]

Hahahaha definitely

[@michaelmarzano2759]

Brilliant Athlete. Shocked at how much he’s aged! It goes to show how damaging ultraviolet radiation is.

[@justintrotter4186]

#Eight4EightGold #PlatinumPerformance #BetCountTheStrokes

[@MrRayh63]

Nothing like deflecting responsibility. That picture would never of surfaced if Phelps wasn't partaking. PERIOD!

[@TugaMugssy111]

It’s weed it’s not a big deal the big deal is that the friend sold the picture for money to paparazzi and betrayed him!

[@chocolateforever63]

@@TugaMugssy111 WHAT!! If weeds not a big then the picture is not a big deal.

[@MF-kr4hf]

It Ain't; at least if he wasn't an elite athlete.. It definitely is not as big a deal as driving drunk!

[@gaypreator8547]

So, he should not expect privacy. Your comment is very holier than thou.

[@chocolateforever63]

@@gaypreator8547 as is yours. Haha!

[@SCORP1ONF1RE]

no socks are in case someone challenges em

[@jameson6930]

Sucks that his lawyer and his agent are his go to people but also it also a little awesome

[@francopasta3704]

His lawyer protects him his agent makes him wealthy…not a bad combo

[@SKratch-jx4mb]

Joe....I think you spelled undeniable wrong (purposefully or not)

[@uncletony6210]

You can still see with water in the goggles..

[@francopasta3704]

Said the Olympian

[@uncletony6210]

@@francopasta3704 ...because ONLY olympians would know...

[@uncletony6210]

He's shares a lot of the same mannerisms with Rafa Nadal.

[@AsifKhan-hf9zy]

but he looks like novak djokovic. with the long neck and honestly he is almost a doppleganger of novak.

[@ronaldzent6321]

Modesty

[@blueliam]

This is an old interview guys. He seems so depressed in this interview to be honest

[@abrakadabrah3031]

Drugs help a lot...like that biker rider who kept winning the races... Or was he competing against people like me.

[@timjacobsen3141]

Ummm MP you cant buy socks the same day you buy a suit?