Dream…
Michael Phelps was first introduced to swimming when he was six years old thanks to his parents who believed in the importance of water-safety. However, it was not love at first sight and Michael only followed instruction for the backstroke because he liked to keep his face dry. Gradually, as Michael spent more time at the pool following his sisters to their practices, he became more comfortable in the water and began to look forward to practicing and competing.  Bob Bowman, a young coach at the club, thought Michael had unique talent.  When Michael turned 11, Coach Bowman called a meeting to discuss Michael’s swimming potential. At that meeting, Coach Bowman told Michael that he had the ability to become an Olympic swimmer. That conversation shaped Michael’s first big DREAM - become an Olympic swimmer and win a gold medal for the U.S.

Plan…
For Michael, the idea of being an Olympian was very exciting.  But Coach Bowman also made it clear that while it was exciting it would take a lot of hard work and sacrifice.  All agreed that it had to be something Michael really wanted, and Michael made the decision that it was. With his coach, family and friends, Michael outlined a PLAN to pursue his dream to make an Olympic team.  Michael set specific goals and a day-to-day plan that included practicing every day (even on birthdays and holidays.) Between 1998 and 2004, Michael practiced over 1780 days.

Reach…
Not everyone believed that Michael could do it.  But he did and surrounded himself with people who believed in him.  With a defined plan in place, Michael had the courage to REACH for it.  He began to see the hard work pay off in his results, swimming personal best times, breaking age-group records and ultimately, qualifying for the 2000 Olympic Team at the age of 15. In Sydney as the youngest USA team member, Michael finished fifth in the 200m butterfly in his first major international competition. But he wanted more and dreamed of winning a gold medal. He set new goals, revised his plan and continued his pursuit of his dreams.  Over the course of the next eight years, by making numerous sacrifices and practicing almost every day, Michael turned his dreams into reality. He won his first gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens en route to capturing 6 gold and 2 bronze medals. And he didn’t stop there. In 2008, he accomplished something that has never been done and won 8 gold medals at the Beijing Games, elevating the sport of swimming to a new level.

Michael believes that anything is possible…you just need to DREAM, PLAN, REACH.