Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan Lochte Announces ‘Positive Life Update’

The Struggles Behind Ryan Lochte's Announcement

The former Olympian explained that after his crash, he turned to alcohol to cope with depression and loneliness.

“After my accident in 2023, I fell into a really dark place—depression, loneliness, feeling like I was giving up in life—and what led me down the road of substance abuse," Lochte said. "But with everything going on with my life, I needed to make a change, a drastic change. So, I checked myself into a Florida Recovery Centre. Now, I feel so much better, I'm thinking clearly, I'm motivated, and I am moving forward."

"I wanted to share this with you guys, especially my fans, because you are so important to me: there's a lot of stigma around substance abuse, but in life you're going to get knocked down, or hit a roadblock; there's no ifs or buts around it.

"It’s not how you get knocked out. It’s how you get back up and keep bettering yourself every day, putting one foot in front of another. So that is what I'm doing."

Lochte has faced a series of challenges in recent years. His wife, Kayla Rae Reid, filed for divorce in June after the couple had been married for seven years.

Lochte has since gone public with a new relationship with Molly Gillihan, although he stressed on an Instagram post that he remains committed to being present for his three children with Rae Reid.

“Although this decision hasn’t been easy, I believe it’s the right step toward peace and well-being for us both," Lochte wrote. "I remain committed to healing, growth, and co-parenting with care and respect as we move forward separately.”

Ryan Lochte's Career of Highs and Lows

Lochte is one of the most decorated American swimmers in history. He earned six gold, three silver, and three bronze medals across four Olympic Games from 2004 through 2016, making him the third-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history by total number of medals, trailing only Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.

Some of Lochte's most notable career achievements include:

• 12 Olympic medals, second only to Michael Phelps among U.S. men
• Gold medals at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016
• 90 international medals overall, including 54 golds at Olympics, World Championships and Pan American events

These accolades underline why Lochte remains in the spotlight as one of the most accomplished swimmers of his era, despite setbacks outside the pool and sporting world.

Lochte's career, however, has also been marked by controversy. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Lochte falsely claimed he was robbed at gunpoint, leading to a suspension and lost sponsorships. He also faced a 14-month ban in 2018 for a violation related to an IV infusion.

Moving Forward With Sobriety

Despite the setbacks, Lochte emphasized in his Friday update that his latest journey is about progress and accountability.

"I am bettering myself each day,” Lochte said. "If anyone out there is struggling, please know, you're not alone in this. It happens to good people, and there are people out there that care about you. So, let's do this together."

The swimmer said he feels “so much better” and is “thinking clearly” for the first time in years, reflecting a renewed focus on personal growth shortly after announcing his new relationship.

“Happiness looks good on me,” Lochte wrote on Thrusday. “Can’t hear the outside noise All smiles with you even thru obstacles thrown at us. ❤️❤️❤️ @mollygilli #springfield #peaceful.”