Phil is in a different spot than he was a year ago. Whole new time now - with bigger risks and bigger rewards.
Last year, he had a guaranteed contract, checks rolling in, but ceiling on income. One job - train like crazy and kick ass at the show.
This year? We've seen a much different Phil... dissing haters online, defending his new product, talking about all this new business work he is running. Starting a business is a HUGE effort - particularly one in a hyper-competitive supp industry where everyone's products are very similar, it's very easy to copy, relabel, and undercut. Big big stress on phil.
So he has no safety net now. He has no company sponsoring him + chief sponsor at the O. He's his own man now, which is quite admirable and a move that the BIG risk takers will take.
now we see what he's made of - if the stress gets to him, and forces him to cheat to win (moving into kai's space to create a situation where biggest competitor is moved). If he loses (small chance, but possible), if he becomes a guy willing to win some, lose some.
PERSONALLY, I think Phil is too temperamental, too indicative of today's athlete. If he wins, or loses, he might step aside "for a year just to focus on business". He'll make a killing if he can dedicate 100% of his energy to promoting the new product line, and save his health too.
There are plenty of reasons Phil will "take a break" if it's close.