For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed.

For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed.

I'm very determined and stubborn. There's a desire in me that makes me want to do more and more, and to do it right. Each one of us has a fire in our heart for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit.

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

As much time as you put into it, that's what your achievements are going to be when you come out of it.

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.

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.