Behind-the-scenes Michael Phelps: Why Michael Phelps dumped Megan Rossee

For anyone familiar with Michael Phelps’ ADHD energy, it is no surprise that Michael Phelps broke up with the cocktail waitress and aspiring model Megan Rossee after nine months. In fact, one wonders what took Michael Phelps so long to realize that his relationship with Megan Rossee “wasn’t going anywhere” according to a US Weekly report on Jan. 1, 2013.

In addition to US Weekly, TMZ reported that “According to our sources, Phelps felt the relationship wasn't going anywhere, so he decided to end it so he could pursue other options.”

Michael Phelps, 27, has come a long way in his relationship; not with Megan Rossee but with his ADHD.

Michael Phelps was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) about 20 years ago and during those years Michael Phelps has not only won Olympic medals but also the hearts of ADHD kids.

“At the age of seven, it was clear that Michael Phelps had an overwhelming amount of energy and his parents enrolled him into swimming to provide an outlet for that energy. By sixth grade, Michael Phelps’ was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By the age of 15, Michael Phelps qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics Games. He set his first swimming world record before turning 16.”

Until Michael Phelps found his passion in swimming, Michael Phelps struggled with many of the classic ADHD symptoms:

Inability to maintain attention
Impulsive behaviors
Physical and motor restlessness
Not paying attention
Making careless mistakes
Not listening
Not finishing tasks
Not following directions
Being easily distracted
Fidgeting
Talking excessively
Running around at inappropriate times
Interrupting others
Having difficulty awaiting turns

“According to his mother, Michael’s treatment consisted of both medication as well as behavior modification. Neither one of the treatments, however, brought quite the desired results. At the age of seven, Michael began swimming. Since he was initially scared to put his head underwater, his instructors allowed him to float around on his back. Not surprisingly, the first stroke he mastered was the backstroke. In a December 2008 PBS show with Tavis Smiley, Michael talked about the importance of swimming in his life and the effect that swimming had as a positive outlet for his energy. He also emphasized the importance of structure and the sense of accomplishment that contributed to his success.” (What’s The Deal With Learning Disability)

How much of that “importance of structure” and “sense of accomplishment” was Michael Phelps' girlfriend Megan Rossee able to share?

According to US Weekly, Michael Phelps publicly presented girlfriend Megan Rossee at the London Olympic event in August at the London Olympics. However, Michael Phelps and Megan Rossee had been dating since March 2012.

While neither Michael Phelps nor Megan Rossee have confirmed or denied the story of “going their separate ways,” a Christian Post report from Jan. 1, 2012, about Michael Phelps' and Megan Rossee’s Twitter messages speak more than a few words.

Michael Phelps’ Twitter message on Monday morning said, “Things happen for a reason…"

Megan Rossee’s Twitter response was a “reply of sorts when she uploaded a link to a photo with the text: ‘A woman's loyalty is tested when her man has nothing. A man's loyalty is tested when he has everything’.”

Michael Phelps’ and Megan Rossee’s relationship, as most other relationships, is doomed if there is no consensus as to what defines “nothing” and “everything.”

For Michael Phelps, having “everything” means having a passion, a purpose, and positive outlet for his ADHD energy.

And for Megan Rossee?

Could Michael Phelps be truly content in a relationship where “everything” is defined by beauty, sex appeal, and Twitter posts?

Michael Phelps shares not only the challenging characteristics of ADHD with other ADHD kids but also the amazing strengths of ADHD:

the ability to focus on a multitude of tasks simultaneously
the unique ability to see ordinary things in extraordinary ways
the ability to display unique personal observations and insights
the ability to find a new approach to problems or issues
the ability to make sudden and astonishing connections
the ability to come up with non-conformist independent ideas
the ability to have a keen awareness of any sights, sounds, or movement

US Weekly’s report that Michael Phelps is planning to “appear on the Golf Channel's Haney Project in February” after having retired from swimming and that he is planning to experience the world from a non-swimming perspective seems to indicate that Michael Phelps has returned to the true strengths of his ADHD energy; having a passion, a purpose, and a positive outlet.

"I have traveled the world through swimming, but really haven’t had an opportunity to experience the world through my travels. … As I enter this next chapter of my life, I think I will be able to shift my competitiveness to anything I put my mind to and golf is one of the things I want to focus on."

Maybe Michael Phelps’ future girlfriend will take the time to get to know the man before dating the man.

For anyone who can spend the time to take a behind-the-scenes look at Michael Phelps and his ADHD energy, it is clear that ADHD has been a part of Michael Phelps’ life much longer than any girlfriend. And it is also no surprise as to the reason why Michael Phelps dumped Megan Rossee. As Michael Phelps’ Twitter message said, ““Things happen for a reason…"

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