Training for the Olympics was much easier than balancing my life now! When practice was over, there was time for me. But with four kids and a career, I have no downtime. When I'm not on the road, I finish my workday at 2:30 p.m. Then I pick the kids up from school and they get 100 percent Mommy, not part Mommy and part Mary Lou Retton.

Getting to know athletes from all over the planet is a big part of the Olympic experience.

As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given.

I usually don't mind giving autographs, but when hundreds of folks with paper and pen start coming at you, it's time to seek shelter.

Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. You get self-satisfaction from pushing your self to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off.

I cant justify taking money away from hungry kids and needy schools to pay for the Games when corporations are willing to write the checks.

In the dressing room, I always put on my right shoe first. Same thing for my right wristband.