I firmly believe that when you have a foundation of respect, love of what you're doing, and a shared vision, so much is possible.

I don't want to be better than you or her or him - I want to be better than I am right now

A true competitor works the hardest, cares the most, and makes the best of what they have.

Passion is a huge prerequisite to winning. It makes you willing to jump through hoops, go through all the ups and downs and everything in between to reach your goal.

That wall is your mind playing tricks on you. You just need to say, 'One more step, I can do this. I have more in me.' You'll be so proud of yourself once you push yourself past your threshold.

Adversity, if you allow it to, will fortify you and make you the best you can be.

You touch every other ball and, if you screw up, you only have one more person to back you up. You can't go hide in the corner.

To me, crying is not a sign of weakness. She wants it that bad and she puts her whole heart into it. She had really high expectations, and that's why she's so good. She just had a bad game.

We have to fight the entire time, we can't start at the end when it's getting down to crunch time. We can't leave anything on the floor.

If you are not prepared, you cannot work out intensely. If you do not perform, you cannot get results, and if you can't do your best to recover, you won't get the benefits of your hard work.

We had two goals...One was to cherish every moment together, cherish the journey because the journey allows you to learn and grow. The other was to win a gold medal.

Freedom is within.Only God can give it to you.

Dare to dream and toil to achieve.

Bring to the table what you want to take away from the table!

In Ireland a writer is looked upon as a failed conversationalist.

I end up doing selfies 'cause I am so sad.

Loneliness is a feeling that is created by our ego. The ego feels separate from the rest of creation. The answer to overcoming those feelings is ecstasy.

People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.

Clint Eastwood's a good friend, too - he and I used to play in softball games together.

Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.

To please people is a great step towards persuading them.