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.

What is the fire that burns in your heart? If you are lucky enough to discover it, than by all means fan the flames and let the fire be the guiding light for a life worth living.

As a kid, I was a pretty good little sprinter.

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.

Former Olympians also get paid to make appearances. Many of them won their medals in an era when Olympic success didn't go hand-in-hand with financial success.

For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.

Having a home away from the media glare is important to world-class athletes.