I had ridiculous amounts of energy. Mom's like, you're driving me crazy - do you want to try gymnastics? From the moment I started it, I loved it and it kind of was like storybook from there.

I love chocolate. I like milk and dark chocolate, but definitely not white.

As a gymnast, you always wear spandex. Being a teenager wearing spandex? It was tough accepting how my body looked, especially if there was any weight gain.

I'm a typical college girl; I love to shop and gossip with my roommates about boys and whatnot.

I like that my body is in shape and toned, and isn't too muscular. I feel I still have a woman's physique.

Wake up every day knowing that today is a new day and only you can determine the outcome of that day. So dream big, accept the challenge, and never look back.

It was probably right after I made my comeback - after retiring post-2008 Olympics - when I finally felt more at ease with my body. Being away from the sport helped put things in perspective.

I try not to deprive myself of anything. I don't do the low-carb thing or anything like that.

I got a custom-made silk dress from a Chinese tailor for really cheap. I sketched it out on a piece of paper, and they took my measurements and made the dress for me in a day!

I really want to go back to school and finish up my sociology degree.

I like to mix up my workouts to keep them fun and interesting. It makes getting to the gym a lot easier!

Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.

Any book is my kind of book that I can read with delight.

You embody the strength of 10, 000 moons and your life will be a testament of it. Ase

To realize your potential you must look beyond the end of yourself, realizing that where you end is most likely where you actually begin.

Hope was a fool’s emotion.

Power isn't the big cars and bent slavesPower is your people in the streets as they drag you to prison.

Tenacity isn't just the most important thing, it's the only thing.

Every human being in that case resembles Christ in his loneliness; and that is the hardest part, that's real hunger.

Then she was pressing her little proud broken self against his face, as close as she could get, and then they died.

Fill all thy bones with aches.