Olympian Michael Phelps Shares About His Struggles With Anxiety
You might think that a legendary athlete with 23 gold medals would never experience self-doubt and anxiety, but you’d be wrong!
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Learning Goal: Self-Control
Grades: 9-12 | Activity Type: Extension | Status: X Original | Remix
Be Good People Curriculum © St. Croix River Education District
The clip we’re going to watch mentions suicide and talks about mental illness.
These topics can bring up a lot of emotions, so we as a class need to discuss this in a way that shows sensitivity, compassion, and respect for one another.
If you are concerned for yourself or for a friend please connect with one of our school’s mental health support staff after class today.
Part
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PLACE
VIDEO HERE
On a scale from 1 to 10, how surprised were you that someone so incredibly successful would “not have self-love” and “not like who he sees in the mirror”?
He described bottling up his feelings and not talking about it openly for “20 years.”
Can you think of any ways that society could be different, the people in his life could act differently, etc. that might have made it easier to open up sooner?
He described somewhat impulsively deciding to finally talk about his mental health during a pre-Olympic interview.
Were you surprised that his decision wasn’t more planned out? Why or why not?
Part
2 of 3
PLACE
VIDEO HERE
What do you think the major difference is between just experiencing intense emotions and “realizing and talking about emotions”?
He suggests that being able to do the latter was a major positive change for him. Why might that be?
Let’s take his advice!
You don’t have to tell anyone, but when we go to the next slide, take a moment to check in with yourself about what your emotional experience is right now or what it’s been like today.
Enraged | Panicked | Stressed | Jittery | Shocked | Surprised | Upbeat | Festive | Exhilarated | Ecstatic |
Livid | Furious | Frustrated | Tense | Stunned | Hyper | Cheerful | Motivated | Inspired | Elated |
Fuming | Frightened | Angry | Nervous | Restless | Energized | Lively | Enthusiastic | Optimistic | Excited |
Anxious | Apprehensive | Worried | Irritated | Annoyed | Pleased | Happy | Focused | Proud | Thrilled |
Repulsed | Troubled | Concerned | Uneasy | Peeved | Pleasant | Joyful | Hopeful | Playful | Blissful |
Disgusted | Glum | Disappointed | Down | Apathetic | At ease | Easygoing | Content | Loving | Fulfilled |
Pessimistic | Morose | Discouraged | Sad | Bored | Calm | Secure | Satisfied | Grateful | Touched |
Alienated | Miserable | Lonely | Disheartened | Tired | Relaxed | Chill | Restful | Blessed | Balanced |
Despondent | Depressed | Sullen | Exhausted | Fatigued | Mellow | Thoughtful | Peaceful | Comfy | Carefree |
Despair | Hopeless | Desolate | Spent | Drained | Sleepy | Complacent | Tranquil | Cozy | Serene |
PLEASANTNESS
ENERGY
Mood Meter ©
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
www.ycei.org
Part
3 of 3
PLACE
VIDEO HERE
A big theme throughout the interview
is the importance of “opening up.” He notes that “you’ll feel better.”
Do you think it was easier or more difficult for a famous person like Michael Phelps to open up vs. if he were a student in our school? Why?
Nice work! To recap, we learned more about: