Ryan Lochte finds faith and rebirth through baptism after a year of personal struggles

After a tumultuous year, Ryan Lochte has embarked on a new spiritual journey.

The 41-year-old Olympic athlete shared that he underwent baptism on Sunday, November 2, following his divorce from Kayla Rae Reid and his discharge from a substance abuse rehabilitation center earlier in the year.

“I enjoy sharing my life experiences with my fans and followers. In this period of personal development, I’ve recognized that the only perspective that truly matters is God’s,” Lochte posted on Instagram, accompanying his message with several clips of himself in a silver tub before being submerged during the sacred ceremony.

Lochte communicated to his audience, “I made the choice to recommit my life to Jesus, and today I was baptized! My heart is overflowing with so much affection and happiness, and I am simply so grateful for everything God is doing and will continue to do in my life.”

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He concluded: “Thank you to everyone who has shown me love and support throughout my life; you all mean so much to me! @canvas_fl.”

Beyond sharing footage from the baptism itself, Lochte was photographed with two of his three children, Caiden, 8, and Liv, 6, alongside his girlfriend, Molly Gillihan, and what appeared to be two of her children.

Lochte’s older children, who he shares with his estranged wife Reid, were visibly joyful as they attended their father’s significant event at Canvas Church in Florida. (Lochte and Reid, 34, are also parents to daughter Georgia, 2.)

“Congratulations!” former Bachelor Sean Lowe commented, while Lochte’s followers praised him for his transparency and openness about his spiritual path.

Lochte’s baptism, a Christian practice symbolizing the cleansing of sins, comes two months after he announced his sobriety following a stay in a substance abuse program.

“I wanted to provide some positive updates on my life and current situation,” Lochte shared via Instagram on August 29. “I’m incredibly happy right now, largely because I am 54 days sober. Yes!”

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The retired professional swimmer explained that after being involved in a car accident in 2023, he entered a “very dark period” that led to feelings of “depression, isolation, and [left him] feeling like [he] was giving up on life.”

Lochte noted that following the collision, his mental state guided him “down a path of substance abuse.” Upon realizing he “needed to make a change,” the athlete admitted himself into a Florida recovery facility.

“I am driven and I am progressing,” he clarified. “I wanted to share this with you all, especially my fans, because you are so important to me. In life, you will encounter setbacks or obstacles. … It’s not about how you fall; it’s about how you recover.”

Lochte’s journey to recovery also coincided with his ongoing divorce from Reid. After seven years of marriage, Reid initiated divorce proceedings against Lochte in June.

“Earlier this year, I made the difficult decision to end my marriage after extensive prayer and contemplation,” Reid wrote on Instagram at the time. “I hold marriage in the highest regard, making this one of the most painful, revealing, and challenging phases of my life. I’ve hesitated to share until I could do so from a place of healing — not from fresh, open wounds.”

Lochte released his own statement in June, writing on social media, “While this decision has not been easy, I believe it is the correct step towards peace and well-being for both of us. I remain dedicated to healing, growth, and coparenting with care and respect as we proceed separately. Thank you to our family and friends for your continued support. It truly means a lot as we embark on this new chapter.”

Lochte and Reid’s divorce has since become contentious, with Reid alleging in an August court filing that she discovered empty cocaine baggies in their home, purportedly left by Lochte. Reid further claimed she found Lochte inhaling nitrous oxide in the presence of one of their children. As a result of these accusations, Reid requested the court grant her sole physical custody of their children.

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Lochte denied the accusations in a statement to Us, stating that while he did struggle with substance abuse after his 2023 car accident, he never used drugs with his children in the room.

“I am not denying that I used drugs in my home, but I firmly deny ever using drugs in front of or around my children, and I have never driven them while impaired,” he stated in August.

Lochte added, “We all make errors in life. We are not defined by those errors, but by how we learn from them and the effort we put in to overcome them. I am deeply sorry for causing anyone pain or disappointment along the way. My current focus is on my recovery, on being the best father I can be, and on moving forward in a way that keeps my children safe, supported, and loved.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).