I decided to make the life I want, and put energy into what moves me, and not rely on anyone for approval of my choices.

My sport has transformed my body to be powerful for a specific task over years of training and competition. The more tuned for competition I am, the less "feminine" I look, and it has made me feel powerful on the track but self-conscious in the sack. That transformed for me as I let go of feminine ideals of all kinds, in work, parenting, etc.

Perfect preparation doesn’t exist. Excellent adaptation does.

Sometimes we push ourselves. We take a workout and we use it as a way to crack open our shell, let the pain rush in and push out the stagnant wounds of the heart. Sometimes a workout sets you free.

I decided to make the life I want, and put energy into what moves me, and not rely on anyone for approval of my choices.

I may not be the lithest, the most talented, or have the fastest time in the field, but I have passion and courage, and sometimes that is enough to do something extraordinary.

Success has a very narrow definition in professional athletics: medals and records, and pursuit of anything outside of that is looked down upon.