When asked if there’s an Olympic story that inspires me, I think of Michael Phelps—a story I’ve followed closely. Phelps is the epitome of “lean” in more ways than one. And not just physically.

Phelps was physically gifted, yes, but his success is rooted in hours of dedicated training, strategic coaching, and relentless attention to detail. With the help of a coach deeply invested in his process, they studied every stroke using high-speed cameras and laboratory analyses, isolating the smallest factors that made him faster. Phelps would take that knowledge to the pool, practicing until he could “feel” the changes, ingraining them until they became second nature.

After winning a historic eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, Phelps decided he wanted to keep swimming but without the intense commitment he once had. He swapped out grueling routines for rounds of golf, Las Vegas trips, and recreational choices that deviated from his previous discipline. And as you might guess, he started moving down the ranks, getting beaten by swimmers still driven to put in the work.

Reflecting on this period, Phelps admitted that he “got exactly what I deserved.” About 18 months before the 2012 Olympics, he decided enough was enough. If he was going to swim, he wanted to do it right. He got back to training hard, showing the world what disciplined preparation and refined technique could do.

While the 2012 Olympics started slowly for him, finishing fourth in his first event and getting a silver in another, he quickly turned things around, honing his focus and letting his preparation guide him. By the end, he had stacked up a collection of medals—all gold.

Here’s what I learned or was reminded of from Phelps’s journey:

1. To perform excellently, it takes an effort to find the small things and learn how to use them.
2. We learn better in teams and with coaching from others than if we go it alone. We won’t be as good as we can be until we are humble enough to learn from others.
3. After the learning, the work begins. We have to build the new things into our routine. We have to make the new things into better habits.
4. Like it or not, we have to be disciplined and consistent in our pursuit of excellence. If we stop doing the things that achieved excellent results, the excellent results will disappear. We must do what we know to be effective.

Phelps’s story is a reminder that natural talent only goes so far. True success comes from discipline, continuous learning, and the dedication to keep pushing forward.

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr