Top 5 Motivational Michael Phelps Quotes

In the world of professional swimming, very few athletes can hold a candle to Michael Phelps. While the athlete has recently been plagued with controversy he is still seen as one of the most respected and accomplished athletes in our modern world. Many fans of swimming and of sports in general not only look to Phelps for his amazing list of achievements, but for his strong attitude and commitment towards inspiring others to do their best. This is why some of the best motivational quotes today come from the accomplished swimmer.

Michael Phelps’ Swimming Career Achievements

There are very few professional swimmers who have made the type of impact on the world of professional sports that Michael Phelps had. Before the Maryland-native hit the scene, very few professional swimmers had public recognition or endorsement deals, let alone the type of attention that Phelps received, and the athlete more than deserved it. The competitive swimmer is the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 22 medals in his long history in the sport. He also holds the record of most Olympic gold medals, with 18 individual medals (a feat that is double the second highest record holder). While Phelps’ originally planned on retiring on top after his last Olympics in 2012, he announced in 2014 that he would come out of retirement for the Rio Olympics in 2016, where the 30 year old will once again try to impress the world with his natural talent.

For many, one of the most impressive things about Phelps is his work with his foundation, which he started after the 2012 Olympics. Here, he inspires many to adopt healthier lifestyles and learn more about the sport of swimming. He has also come out with many inspirational quotes through his work with the organization. Here are some of our favorites.

1. “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.”

This is a particularly inspirational quote that has appealed to so many, because Phelps doesn’t just focus on the abilities of his body, but of his mind. While so many people assume that Phelps’ talents are all based on his bodies abilities, he inspires others by encouraging them to have the mental focus and work ethic to achieve their own goals, even if they aren’t born with the natural talents of the professional swimmer.

2. “If I didn’t swim my best, I’d think about it at school, at dinner, with my friends. It would drive me crazy.”

This quote is one that truly shows Phelps’ commitment to his craft, a commitment that developed at a very young age for the swimmer. It is also a quote that has let many people know about the type of person that Phelps is and that even though he is a highly-decorated athlete, he still has times where he lets himself down and feels like he hasn’t done his best.

3. “I want to be able to look back and say, ‘I’ve done everything I can, and I was successful.’ I don’t want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I’d like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.”

For Phelps, one of the many reasons he is such a highly-regarded figure in our world today is because he is not only winning medals for himself, but he is actually trying to better the sport and the world around him, particularly younger generations of athletes. This is the type of work that he focuses on with his highly successful Michael Phelps Foundation.

4. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

This is one of the most publicized quotes from Michael Phelps today. Just because you see it on t-shirt, mugs and promotional items it doesn’t mean it has lost any of its power. This is one of those quotes from Phelps that really shows how big he think and how big he dreams.

5. “I want to go to the World Cup. I want to go to the Masters. I want to go… anywhere.”

When Michael Phelps first retired, many thought he would be just relaxing in a life of luxury at the tender age of 26. However, the athlete had plans, even for his time off. Phelps proved that even if you are “retiring” it doesn’t mean you can’t keep dreaming and trying new things and making the most of life.