And, you know, being able to wear the stars and stripes, when you step up on one of the blocks or, you know, when you step off of an airplane or when you hear the national anthem play, you know, it's one of the greatest feelings in the world because you know that there are people at home who are supporting you and watching you.

I see my goals as personal and I always have. That's just been how I've worked.

I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk show.

My goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, 'I'm an Olympic gold medalist.'

If I didn't swim my best, I'd think about it at school, at dinner, with my friends. It would drive me crazy.

Anything is possible as long as you want it, you work for it. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, the only person that can really put pressure on you is yourself

I like to just think of myself as a normal person who just has a passion, has a goal and a dream and goes out and does it. And that's really how I've always lived my life.