The integrity and self-esteem gained from winning the battle against extremity are the richest treasures in my life

I am overwhelmed by the strength of my body and the power of my mind. For one moment, just one second, I feel immortal.

This journey has always been about reaching your own other shore no matter what it is, and that dream continues.

You're never too old to chase your dream.

If you want to touch the other shore badly enough, barring an impossible situation, you will. If your desire is diluted for any reason, you'll never make it.

I wanted to teach myself some life lessons at the age of 60 and one of them was that you don't give up.

A lot of athletes have this sort of invincibility: [The jellyfish] should worry about me. I don't worry about them. I'll just swim right through them.

I am willing to put myself through anything; temporary pain or discomfort means nothing to me as long as I can see that the experience will take me to a new level.

Swimming is probably the ultimate of burnout sports.

The spirit is larger than the body. The body is pathetic compared to what we have inside us

But for each of us, isn't life about determining your own finish line?

It is in the perfect union of two hearts that complete and total marriage consists.

People always say how you should be yourself. Like yourself is a definite thing, like a toaster or something.

It was an honor and privilege to arrive to this country 16 years ago with almost no money in my pocket. A lot has happened since then.

Don't talk yourself into not being you.

I'd never even looked at a pair of skis. I didn't even realise the boots were separate. I thought it was one whole thing.

Every individual should be expressing themselves, whether a politician or a minister or a policeman.

There is no difference between religion and politics. Both involve lies and fanatical beliefs that generaly defy logic... Just like rock climbing.

I double-knot my shoe laces. It's a pain untying your shoes afterward-particularly if you get them wet-but so is stopping in the middle of a race to tie them.

Debt is not intrinsically bad. But I make clear to my children that they should only borrow as much as they will be able to pay back.

How do you prove we exist? Maybe we don't.