I'm kind of more on the conservative side.

Realize that the reason most people fail isn't because of the competition but because of the limits they place upon themselves, allowing defeat to take over. Take responsibility for your destiny. You can come up with a performance, if you can reach down and dig deep enough into your competitive soul. You can overcome tremendous obstacles.

I always felt that my greatest asset was not my physical ability, it was my mental ability.

If I was lying on my deathbed and I had kept this secret and never ever did anything about it, I would be lying there saying, 'You just blew your entire life.'

Have an open mind and an open heart. I'm not this bad person. I'm just doing what I have to do.

The most challenging aspect of the decathlon is not the events themselves, but how you train to become the best 100-meter runner you are on the same day that you're the best 1,500-meter runner.

I firmly believe that deep in their soul everyone has a champion that can overcome obstacles and do great things.