Phelps visits Leander middle school

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) - When Michael Phelps began to speak to students at Wiley Middle School, they could hardly contain themselves.

"I couldn't imagine Michael Phelps at Wiley Middle School," said Terry Ballard, a Wiley seventh grader.

With Phelps' book in hand, called "No Limits: The Will to Succeed," they asked him questions about his life.

"What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment so far in your life?" "What feeling did you have before you swam in the Olympics in front of the world?"

"I know each and every one of your have a goal in your head for what you want to do," Phelps responded. "Each and every one of you."

In addition to goals in the pool, Phelps talked about setting goals outside of the pool, overcoming mistakes and growing up in the process. Mistakes like smoking marijuana this past winter, a snapshot that raced across the Internet.

"I think the biggest thing I've been able to do is learn from every mistake that I've made," said Phelps. "And make sure it doesn't happen again, but also change who I am as a person, because of the mistake I've made. It's helped me become a stronger person and that's going to carry through my life."

A lesson that Phelps said he hoped to teach Wiley Middle School, while at the same time, making sure students were inspired.

"There really is no limit," said Phelps. "Whatever you want to put your mind to, and whatever you want to accomplish, you really can."

"I learned that everything has no limits," said Lauren Palmer, a Wiley eighth grader. "And that you just go for your dream and don't stop. Just keep going."