Forum 2024 speaker:

Michael Phelps

Swimming world champion and healthy living advocate

Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He set 39 swimming world records over the course of his distinguished career.

Phelps established the Michael Phelps Foundation, which promotes water safety, healthy living (physical and mental), and the pursuit of dreams.

Phelps courageously opened up about his own mental health challenges, becoming one of the first and most prominent athlete voices who have helped catapult the important conversation across sports and pop culture. His advocacy for water safety and mental health have earned the recognition of the American Image Awards, BBC Sports, Child Mind Institute, The Kennedy Forum, Laureus World Sports Awards, PR Week, The Ruderman Family Foundation, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration among others.

In addition, Phelps served as an executive producer, narrator and featured talent in the HBO documentary The Weight of Gold, which explores the mental health challenges athletes often face. He also appeared in the IndieFlix documentary, Angst, which explores anxiety among middle school students and their families.