Ryan Lochte, the esteemed Olympic swimmer, has been through his fair share of ups and downs. His most recent challenge was a bout of depression that almost led to a split with his wife, Kayla Reid Lochte.
After missing the cut for the USA 2021 Summer Olympics swim team, Lochte spiraled into a deep depression. This setback in his swimming career, a path he had been on for years, had a profound impact on his mental health and marital life.
Lochte married Reid in the early days of 2018. The couple has since welcomed three children into their lives. However, his failure to make the team significantly strained their relationship, reaching a point where divorce seemed inevitable.
Lochte’s Struggle with Alcoholism
Notably, Lochte has had a long and tumultuous battle with alcoholism. His struggles were made public following an infamous incident during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Lochte was charged and subsequently suspended for making a false robbery claim, a decision he later acknowledged was influenced by inebriation.
In the aftermath of a police incident in 2018, Lochte decided to seek professional help and entered an alcohol rehabilitation program. A proud moment worth noting is his current status of having been sober for 60 days.
A New Perspective
Despite being a holder of 12 Olympic gold medals, Lochte has learned that there are aspects of life far more valuable than his swimming accomplishments. His family, in particular, has become a source of strength and motivation.
It was his familial love that played a key role in his recovery journey. Even with his notable achievements in the swimming world, Lochte now firmly believes that his true purpose lies in being a dedicated husband and a loving father.