After breaking nearly every Olympic record imaginable—including tying a 2,000-year-old medal record set by an ancient Greek—swimming legend Michael Phelps announced Monday that he’s done with the Olympic Games for good. But will he actually follow through this time?
In an interview with Matt Lauer, Phelps said, “Done, done, done—and this time I mean it. I wanted to come back and finish my career how I wanted, and this was the cherry on top of the cake.”
Phelps, 31, will end his swimming career as the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time after winning five gold medals and one silver in Rio. In total, Phelps has taken home 28 medals over the course of his career, 23 of those gold. His last race in Rio, the 400-meter medley relay, earned him his final gold medal.
Still, Phelps also had said four years ago that he planned to retire after the 2012 Olympic Games in London, telling TODAY, “I’m done. I’m finished. I’m retired. I’m done. No more.” Sounds familiar, does it not?
So what’s different this time? “Between now and London, I was so much more emotional during these Games, I think that showed at times on camera,” Phelps told Lauer. “That’s the difference. Because I knew this was the last time. I knew this was the last race that I ever had, the last Olympics that I ever had. And everything just really hit hard.”
As was well-documented by the media, Phelps faced some turbulent times between the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, including a DUI arrest in 2014 and a short stay in rehab. Since then, he not only has reignited his career, but also has started a family with longtime girlfriend Nicole Johnson.
If there’s any athlete capable of making a comeback of epic proportion, it’s Michael Phelps. Either way, Phelps is excited to use his celebrity to reduce global drowning rates and promote other charitable causes. “This is the part of my life where I get to start this whole new chapter,” he says.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.