OLYMPIC swimmer Ryan Lochte confessed he went from “making millions to zero” after his 2016 Rio de Janeiro “robbery” scandal.
The What Would Ryan Lochte Do? reality star was dropped by all of his high-profile sponsors such as Ralph Lauren and Speedo – which reportedly cost him more than $1million.
The 12-time Olympic medalist caused a global frenzy after he was caught lying about a gas station encounter in Brazil at the end of the 2016 games.
Ryan, 35, opened up about the incident in the first teaser for his upcoming documentary, In Deep With Ryan Lochte.
“I went from making millions to zero,” the professional athlete revealed.
The Florida native continued of the serious incident: “Something could have ended my life because I was stupid.”
In the early hours of August 14, 2016, Ryan falsely stated he was robbed at a gas station in Rio along with fellow Olympians Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger.
The DWTS alum told a local news outlet hours after the incident occurred: “This guy pulled out his gun, cocked it and put it to my forehead and said get down.”
However, after authorities investigated the claims, it was later determined that no robbery had taken place.
It was discovered that the American athletes had instigated local security guards into the confrontation after they vandalized the building during a night of drinking.
“The person that I am today, if I saw that Ryan Lochte, I would knock his a** out,” the fashion model said.
“There’s so much more to life. Wake up,” he added in the documentary.
Swimwear brand Speedo – who had repped Ryan since the beginning of his career – was the first to drop him after they said they “cannot condone” his behavior.
Ralph Lauren, skincare company Syneron-Candela and Japanese mattress maker Airweave all followed suit on the same day.
To add to the punishment, the USA Swimming organization suspended the dad-of-two from all domestic and international competitions for 10 months.
However, the athlete has stated he is ready for his big comeback and aims to add to his impressive medal collection at the 2021 Tokyo games.
Ryan added in his upcoming film: “This is the most pressure I’ve ever had in my entire life.
“If I don’t make the Olympic team, they won’t see the change that I have made. It’s all or nothing now.”
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The Celebrity Big Brother competitor announced during the Rio Olympics that he began dating Playboy Playmate, Kayla Rae Reid.
Despite the worldwide controversy so soon into their relationship, the couple is still going strong and tied-the-knot in January 2018.
Kayla, 28, and Ryan share three-year-old son, Caiden, and one-year-old daughter, Liv.
In Deep With Ryan Lochte will air on NBC’s new streaming service, Peacock, that launches on July 15.