Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, has some daily habits that contributed to his success.
I love listening to Phelps chat as I walk on my treadmill.
The swimmer joins IFit trainer John Peel in Hawaii and shares some wisdom.
Today, I will share two daily habits of Olympian Michael Phelps that you should steal, even if you are not hitting the swimming pool.
1. Visualization
Phelps has intense visualization practices.
He visualizes winning races.
The swimmer also visualizes overcoming obstacles.
Mentally rehearsing prepares him to stay focused under competition pressure.
Stealing Phelps’ Visualization Techniques
You can use visualization.
For example, before a big meeting or a challenging task.
Close your eyes, and visualize yourself achieving success.
See yourself navigating challenges with ease and achieving your goals.
2. Prioritize Rest, Recovery, and Sleep
In his competition years, Phelps prioritized rest and recovery.
“I think sleeping is — no matter if I am training or I’m a retired athlete — a crucial part of my everyday life.”
Did you know that he slept in an altitude chamber to simulate training at a higher altitude (and maximizing his oxygen utilization)?
Olympian Michael Phelps Shares His Secret to a Good Night’s Sleep
Stealing Phelps’ Rest Techniques
While you may not have an altitude chamber in your bedroom, you can modify some of Pelps’ approaches to rest:
- Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
- Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
- Avoid screen time in an hour or two before bedtime.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
Final Thoughts
No disrespect, but I doubt you will achieve Michael Phelps-level Olympic success.
However, you can improve your focus, mental resilience, and health by adopting two of his daily habits.
What’s your strategy?
