Athlete

I'm stronger than I think I am. Mentally, physically.

She had a hit for every syllable: 'Don't. You. Ever. Talk. To. Me. Like. That. Ever. Again.' That was the last time I ever talked back to Mom.

It's important to just kind of get away from your sport until you miss it. It's about taking time to enjoy other aspects of life or learn new things. It helps rejuvenate.

I've never been outside Heathrow so it will be exciting to see what London has to offer. I think I've only flown into Heathrow maybe twice.

I've got to read the 'Hunger Games' before I see the movie.

It's important to just kind of get away from your sport until you miss it. It's about taking time to enjoy other aspects of life or learn new things. It helps rejuvenate.

I want to go out on my terms.

I didn't want to stop before my time was up.

I think the most surprising thing about the Olympics would be the amount of interaction and partying that goes on behind the scenes. They have nightclubs at the Olympic Village. It's like college all over again.

It's just as important to work on the little muscle groups as well as the big muscle groups. People, when they train, go to gyms. I call them 'nightclub bodies' - ginormous up top, and legs are little sticks. You see a lot of people, and they forget you can't leave the little muscles behind.

I try to do something every day. I lift weights at least three to four days per week, and I'll intersperse that with cardio. For example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'll run and do heavy lifting, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I'll spend two hours lifting weights, as well as something like swimming.

I didn't want to stop before my time was up.

I didn't think I'd be going for another Olympics.

Over the years, I've made many sacrifices to win two Olympic gold medals and put together winning streaks that will never be broken.

I'm an avid animal lover. When I was 16, I wanted to be a vet or a zookeeper. I grew up with animals. At one time we had between five and eight dogs in the house, with four cats. We're menagerie people.

I've got to read the 'Hunger Games' before I see the movie.

I used to hate planks, because I could only hold them for about 20 seconds. I'll never be like, 'Yeah, I'm so excited to do planks!' but I find that I don't hate them as much anymore.

I try to do something every day. I lift weights at least three to four days per week, and I'll intersperse that with cardio. For example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'll run and do heavy lifting, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I'll spend two hours lifting weights, as well as something like swimming.

It's just as important to work on the little muscle groups as well as the big muscle groups. People, when they train, go to gyms. I call them 'nightclub bodies' - ginormous up top, and legs are little sticks. You see a lot of people, and they forget you can't leave the little muscles behind.

I used to spend a couple of hours in the weight room, but really, an hour is long enough. I lift twice a week and on other days incorporate more core yoga and different exercises. It's important to listen to your body. I will shut it down if I'm tired.