You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the power of dreams and limitless aspirations in achieving success.
Michael Phelps highlights the importance of dreaming big and not restricting oneself with limitations. He suggests that the extent of one's ambitions can directly influence their achievements, indicating that those who dare to envision greater outcomes can achieve exceptional results.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students to pursue their passions.
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.
Today, you have 100% of your life left.
To have any doubt in your body is the biggest weakness an athlete can have. There are times when I physically can't get myself to go for a skill because I'm thinking, 'My knee hurts really bad.'
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
Everyone who's ever taken a shower has an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.
Nothing will stop us. The road to the stars is steep and dangerous. But we're not afraid . . . Space flights can't be stopped. This isn't the work of one man or even a group of men. It is a historical process which mankind is carrying out in accordance with the natural laws of human development.
What good is it to have a belly if there's no fire in it? Wake up, drink your passion, light a match and get to work.
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