I was a monster, a problem child.

I'm really disappointed at every event if I don't do less than what I wanted to do.

You know the best thing about competition? There's this whole strategy game, and when it all works out its like solving that hard math equation. You finally get the answer and you're so happy.

On snowboarding as an Olympic sport: Since I was 6 years old I've been in the mix and watching this grow and change. I never would have expected it to go this far.

My dad got me a huge board when I was little. He loves to surf. He suited me up and sent me out on this huge wave. I went under, and when I came out and the board hit me in the face. So I said, I never wanted to do this again. I stayed away until I was 13.

The Olympics are kind of weird. You have to be on a team. That's cool if you're a skier. But in snowboarding, you just want to be your own person.

A weird thing happens when you're taken out of your normal clothing and put into USA gear.