I got the stamina. I can close.

I got the stamina. I can close.

Michael Phelps

I’m kind of a creature of habit. Once I get used to doing things, it’s like second nature.

I’m kind of a creature of habit. Once I get used to doing things, it’s like second nature.

We’re all a little tired.

We’re all a little tired.

I like to get in my own world. When I’m getting ready for a meet, I always have headphones on, listening to rap music to get myself fired up.

I like to get in my own world. When I’m getting ready for a meet, I always have headphones on, listening to rap music to get myself fired up.

If you say “can’t” you’re restricting what you can do or ever will do.

If you say “can’t” you’re restricting what you can do or ever will do.

Things won’t go perfect. It’s all about how you adapt from those things and learn from mistakes.

Things won’t go perfect. It’s all about how you adapt from those things and learn from mistakes.

When I race, I don’t think about it; it just happens.

When I race, I don’t think about it; it just happens.

I don’t want to be the next Mark Spitz; I want to be the first Michael Phelps.

I don’t want to be the next Mark Spitz; I want to be the first Michael Phelps.

The problem with heart disease is the first symptom is often fatal.

The problem with heart disease is the first symptom is often fatal.

People say to me, ‘You’re so lucky. You get to see the world.’ But I don’t. I go to the hotel and to the pools and back again. That’s it.

People say to me, ‘You’re so lucky. You get to see the world.’ But I don’t. I go to the hotel and to the pools and back again. That’s it.

I want to test my maximum and see how much I can do. And I want to change the world of swimming.

I want to test my maximum and see how much I can do. And I want to change the world of swimming.

My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, ‘I’m an Olympic gold medalist.’

My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, ‘I’m an Olympic gold medalist.’

I won’t predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.

I won’t predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.

If I want to achieve the goals I’ve set, I’ve got to be in tip-top shape.

If I want to achieve the goals I’ve set, I’ve got to be in tip-top shape.

I have reached a place in my life where I need to sit down and say, ‘Well, what do I do? What’s best for me?’ I need to look into options for the future.

I have reached a place in my life where I need to sit down and say, ‘Well, what do I do? What’s best for me?’ I need to look into options for the future.

Why is it such a big deal what I’m swimming?

Why is it such a big deal what I’m swimming?

If you’re not on your ‘A’ game in our workouts every day, you’re going to get absolutely smoked.

If you’re not on your ‘A’ game in our workouts every day, you’re going to get absolutely smoked.

I try to separate my personal life from swimming.

I try to separate my personal life from swimming.

I live a pretty conservative life, so I probably really haven’t done anything crazy.

I live a pretty conservative life, so I probably really haven’t done anything crazy.