MESA, Ariz. — Michael Phelps believes he's in a better state, emotionally and spiritually, than ever before.
The 18-time Olympic gold medalist is smiling more. He says he's even walking a little taller. He's only worrying about controlling what he can control.
"Everyone has the right to believe whatever they want," Phelps said Wednesday, speaking for the first time publicly since his six-month USA Swimming ban expired. "I know exactly how I feel now and exactly how I wake up and go through my everyday life. If somebody doesn't believe the words that are coming out of my mouth, that's not my choice.