Olympian Michael Phelps in Q&A with CUs

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, didn’t arrive accidentally on all those podiums. He was fixated on goals, overcame a dark period in his life, and for anyone who ever doubted them, sought to jam their doubts “down their throats.” In all of that, he found some lessons for credit union execs as both leaders and as individuals.

During CO-OP’s THINK18 Conference here, Phelps shared his thoughts on everything from the goal-setting that helped drive his successes to what is driving him today. The Q&A with Phelps was conducted by Jean Chatzky, emcee of the THINK18 meeting and a financial author and finance correspondent for the Today Show.

Chatzky: The theme of conference is race to excellence. How do you define excellence?

Phelps: I think each person can define it in their own way. When I started this journey, it was with a goal of breaking a world record and becoming an Olympic medalist. Once I got there I had to redefine what excellence would be. Goals have played a huge part in my life. From the moment I got up until I went to bed the goals were there for me to see them.

 

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