I never had one day that I didn't want to be on the ice, because I always had an objective for that day. I had a rigorous plan and schedule in place that I had to adhere to. It was a step-by-step process of slowly but surely inching toward the Olympic Games and using every day as a series of goals to be accomplished.

It's just a goatee. That sounds kind of weird. A soul patch? I don't know how 'soul' it is.

My first car was a Toyota 4Runner when I was 17. I paid for it myself. I was very happy.

I never had one day that I didn't want to be on the ice, because I always had an objective for that day. I had a rigorous plan and schedule in place that I had to adhere to. It was a step-by-step process of slowly but surely inching toward the Olympic Games and using every day as a series of goals to be accomplished.

I could never focus on my upper body as a skater, so I'm enjoying having symmetrical upper and lower body muscle.

When I'm done skating, I guarantee you that I will not look back and remember standing on the podium. I'm going to remember these days - being with the team. Training alone, in my basement. Training when everybody else is sleeping. Doing things that nobody else is doing. Digging down. Seeing what kind of character I truly have. I love that stuff.

Michael Phelps is a good friend of mine, so I'm very supportive of him.