It took me time to realize that the men who won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon are just men, just like me.

I was a good decathlete until I got with a coach that really knew how to train specifically for the event... I'd really describe it as like being a juggler; you have ten balls and you're trying to get them all in the air at the same time.

Take pride in exactly what it is you do and remember it's okay to fail as long as you don't give up.

You have to be able to be a good loser. You have to be okay knowing you're going to fail every day in something without getting mad and upset.

As a young athlete, it was first about having fun; then it was about winning.

I call myself a chameleon.

I think what my parents did was perfect. They were strict, concerned about my safety and held me back just a little.