I don't like to be second in anything. I was trying, I just wasn't going anywhere.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes a strong desire to excel and the frustration of not making progress despite effort.
Michael Phelps expresses his competitive nature and determination to be the best in his pursuits. By stating he doesn't like to be second, he reflects a mindset focused on excellence and success. His admission of trying hard yet feeling stagnant speaks to the struggles many face on their journey to achieve their goals, underscoring the importance of resilience and continuous improvement.
In practice
In a motivational speech at a sports event.
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 so long, I looked at myself as literally a kid who was talented who would go up and down the pool. That's it. Nothing else. Very few people knew who I really was.
I don't want to be the next Mark Spitz; I want to be the first Michael Phelps
There are too many kids who are drowning for lack of water safety. That's something I'd like to do. Teaching kids to live an active lifestyle.
My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'
I know it won't be eight medals again. If you want to compare me to that, that's your decision, not mine. I'm going out there to try to accomplish the things that I have in my mind and in my heart.
You are as strong as you think you are, you can achieve things you think you can achieve, its all in your head
I trained for less than three-quarters of an hour, maybe five days a week - I didn't have time to do more. But it was all about quality, not quantity - so I didn't waste time jogging, ever.
You suffer the blow, but you capitalize on the opportunity left in its wake.
Faith makes it possible to achieve that which man's mind can conceive and believe.
If you're constantly pushing yourself higher, higher, the law of averages - not to mention the myth of Icarus - predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do, I want you to know this, remember this: There is no such thing as failure.
I know my role on this team, and I'm expected to prepare and to perform every week and play well. I relish that opportunity - to be somebody the guys can count on week in and week out, to play really well. That's what really motivates me: to make my coaches proud, my teammates proud, and the fans proud.
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