Behind-the-scenes photos, stories from ESPN The Magazine’s “The Body Issue”

If you think you’ve seen everything from this year’s “Body Issue” athletes – think again.

In celebration of ESPN The Magazine’s sixth annual Body Issue on newsstands today, Front Row shares some behind-the-scenes stories from those who see it all: The Mag’s Neely Lohmann, senior deputy editor; Nancy Weisman, senior deputy photo editor; Stacey Pressman, writer and contributor:

Of swimmer Michael Phelps, The Mag says: “He came to the set in a full beard and we were concerned he’d be unrecognizable for the cover – he agreed, and from there, we shaved his beard! He also shared that this was his first time being fully naked in a pool. He also did not tell his mother he was doing this. We ran into her while filming his practice – we’re sure he told her, eventually.”