I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.

My mother taught me very early to believe I could achieve any accomplishment I wanted to. The first was to walk without braces.

I had a series of childhood illnesses... scarlet fever.... pneumonia.... Polio. I walked with braces until I was at least nine years old. My life wasn't like the average person who grew up and decided to enter the world of sports.

No matter what great things you accomplish, somebody helps you.

The triumph can't be had without the struggle.

It doesn't matter what you're trying to accomplish. It's all a matter of discipline. I was determined to discover what life held for me beyond the inner-city streets.

'I can't' are two words that have never been in my vocabulary. I believe in me more than anything in this world.