Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian, was once afraid to put his face in the water when learning to swim.
What happened?
He made this shocking confession on The Today Show with Craig Melvin, discussing his project with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens' players, including Kyle Hamilton and Ronnie Stanley, asked Phelps to teach them how to swim, as one in three players didn't know how.
Phelps joined the Ravens to give swimming lessons, hoping to inspire confidence in the players.
Why it matters for Michael Phelps
This confession shows that even the greatest athletes can overcome their fears and achieve greatness, with Phelps having won 28 Olympic medals.
Phelps' fear of putting his face in the water was overcome through confidence and comfort in the pool, he explained.
What comes next?
The Ravens' players are learning to swim with Phelps, and this experience may inspire them to tackle other challenges in their lives.
And Phelps' confession may motivate others to face their fears and try new things, just like the NFL players learning to swim as adults.
The project with the Ravens started after a video plea from the players, which led to Phelps agreeing to help them learn this important life skill.
Phelps' teacher, Miss Cathy, helped him overcome his fear, and now he's paying it forward with the Ravens.
As of August 13, 2025, Phelps has been working with the Ravens, and the results of this project may be seen in the players' confidence on and off the field.
But for now, Phelps is focused on teaching the players how to swim, and his confession is an inspiration to many.
So the next time you're afraid to try something new, remember that even Michael Phelps was once afraid, but he became a legend in his sport.
The Today Show's Craig Melvin was stunned by Phelps' confession, reacting with surprise to the news.
Phelps' story is a reminder that anyone can overcome their fears and achieve greatness with hard work and determination.