Michael wasn't on the pool deck, which was hard for me. None of my old Coral Springs teammates were around. Still, that old plane of cement felt like home. I folded my clothes and put them on the bench. I placed my water bottle under my starting block, and I dove in. Once again, I felt that ultimate state of transition, my feet no longer on the ground, my hands not yet in the water.

What I’d like to teach my daughter about self-image and self-esteem is that you’re beautiful on the inside and the outside, and not to get obsessed with pictures that are out there in magazines of skinny models. I had an eating disorder in college and wanted to look like those models and be thin. So I’ll probably share that experience with her and let her know that you’re beautiful just the way you are.

There are days when I don't feel motivated and I don't want to get up to go to practice. I'm a very goal-oriented person, so I set short-term goals and try to reach those goals. And when I have those days, I think about those goals, and it gets me motivated.

Most people who see me in pictures know what I look like. I'm going to continue to try to workout to maintain, but I'm not going to continue looking like that - that's a result of training, and that would probably drain me out. I'd be exhausted.

I really believe in setting goals, no matter what it is: whether it's losing five pounds or making the world championship team.

I think if you can be a goal-setting person, it makes it easier to stay motivated.

I'm thinking that I shouldn't have filed my nails last night.