In my very first interview, at nine years old, I said I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist. That was the first time I said it out loud in front of somebody other than my parents.

I learned to take those experiences that were difficult in my life and in the adversity that I had overcome to use it for a positive change.

Training with Bela and Marta Karolyi took the joy out of the Olympics for me. I look back and feel there was a lot of verbal and physical abuse. For years, I felt it was my problem.

I had this sister that was born who was given up for adoption, and I never knew it.

Autographs and pictures do get a little old, but I don't mind if the people want it.

As a competitive gymnast, my life has always been filled with challenges that would ultimately define my future. From day one, I was taught to be prepared at all costs.

My parents enrolled me in a gymnastics class when I was three years old, and I just was drawn to gymnastics. I loved it. It was my playground, and I could run around and be free there.

Since my mother is an extremely devoted Christian Orthodox woman, she prayed a great deal and taught me how to pray.

I was 26 years old when I found out that I had a sister who I never knew existed.

The clearest mirror in the universe is not made of glass, but of a loving soul.

I've found myself moved by letters and diaries in archives as well as trashy, summer blockbusters. It's possible to make a connection with any kind of writing - as long as the writing is good.

Help does not only come through financial assistance. There are a lot of ways with which one person can help another person.

We are content to forgo joy when pain is also lost.

I think the feelings in my music were suggested to me before I even had the ability to play music.

Life is not dated merely by years. Events are sometimes the best calendars.

I think I'd be a really good dad. So perhaps I'm doing society a disservice by not having as many kids as possible.

Our focus is our reality. What we choose to focus on becomes our world. It produces our thoughts, values, attitudes, and beliefs.

With the power of soul, anything is possible.

Teach me, like you, to drink creation whole/ And casting out myself, become a soul.