Our Favorite Celebrity Speakers: Michael Phelps
February 9, 2022
You probably know Michael Phelps as an Olympic swimmer – and not just any Olympic swimmer! With a total of 28 medals (23 of which are gold), he is the most decorated Olympian in history.
As incredible as his achievements in the pool are, Michael is more than his athletic success. In 2008, he established the Michael Phelps Foundation to promote water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams. He is a husband and father to three beautiful boys, a committed advocate for water safety, and a man who is unafraid to share his mental health struggles.
Michael, as corporate entertainment specialist Jaki Baskow knows firsthand, is also a compelling speaker.
It’s OK To Not Be OK
In 2015, Michael opened up about his mental health struggles. He has battled both ADHD and depression. Following the 2012 Olympics, the highly decorated athlete even considered suicide.
In a letter posted on his foundation’s website, Michael says, “Over the past couple of years, I have become a lot more open about my struggle with depression and have shared my mantra that ‘it’s ok to not be ok.’ I am so grateful that I’ve been able to positively impact the lives of those struggling with their own mental health by simply sharing mine.”
Anything Is Possible
As the head of an award-winning Las Vegas talent agency, Jaki has worked with a an amazing array of entertainers and sports figures. Many of them have made a lasting impression on Jaki and her team. Phelps is definitely one of them.
When preparing for the Olympics, Michael Phelps believed that anything is possible. That kind of attitude has enabled him to inspire countless other athletes as well as the audiences he addresses as a celebrity speaker.
But Michael’s story is not one of simply believing in yourself. He knows that he would not have enjoyed the record-breaking success he enjoyed as a swimmer without the support of those around him. Family, coaches and the other members of the team he swam for all deserve a share of the credit.
In other words, as the team at the Baskow Talent Agency in Las Vegas know, anything is possible when we work together. Contact us if you are in need of some inspiration!
