I've been taught by some of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country, and I've learnt that technique for weight training and cycling is very much more strength and less conditioning.

It really is all about believing in yourself: 80 per cent mental, 20 per cent physical.

Succeeding in sport is about how much practise you put in.

When you see your male counterparts living a completely different lifestyle, I think it would be quite depressing! So no, it's not for me.

I really love routine and so I've never found it a problem. I really enjoy it. I don't mind somebody organising what I have to do. I'm a creature of habit in some ways.

I like to eat healthily anyway and I think I've become more disciplined now I've retired - because I'm such a creature of habit, I don't find it hard to do. I quite enjoy the challenge.

It would be great to be recognised for my achievements, but Sports Personality isn't about that.

I genuinely enjoy the process of making colourful, delicious food. But I do allow myself an occasional piece of chocolate - today I had a pastry. If I fancy something, I'll have it.

Food plays a large part in our weekend, but on a Friday evening, I'll make us something simple for tea. I might have a wee glass of wine.

I naturally favour a clean, healthy diet. A salad sandwich is one of my favourite meals!

We don't talk about courage much in our everyday conversations, but I am comfortable with it now.

Christianity is not an accretion, it is not something added. It is a new total outlook which is satisfied with nothing less than penetration to the furthest corners of the mind and the understanding.

Sing, laugh and be merry because today you're alive.

Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.

Nothing resembles selfishness more closely than self-respect

A broom sweeps clean, and itself becomes soiled; cleanse yourself of those offenses of which you may feel guilty.

Fame terrifies me. I can say that with honesty. You're terrified that, when people know the real you, they won't like you.

A simple but radical spiritual practice is to accept whatever arises in the Now, within and without.

Growth comes out of a healthy competitive atmosphere, not trying to choose a particular path forward.

Had they known at these moments to be quietly joyful? Most likely not. People mostly did not know enough when they were living life that they were living it.

If you want to know what's important to a culture, learn their language.