My personal story has always been about perseverance and always getting up when I fall. Maybe I'm not Olympic champion, but I can teach the world about that.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Even before I competed in the Olympics, I always wanted to write a book.
Everything that I've ever been able to accomplish in skating and in life has come out of adversity and perseverance.
Maybe there's a little girl who thinks she can be an Olympic athlete, and she sees all the things I struggled through to get here. Yeah, I didn't walk away with a medal or run away with a medal, but I think there's lessons to be learned when you win and lessons to be learned when you lose.
I have my Grade 1 autobiography that says I'm going to the 2012 Olympic Games, and it has a picture of me on the podium. So, I've known my whole life. It's not something I just thought of. I've known I would be an Olympic athlete; didn't know what sport, but I drew myself in a judo gi.
Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.
I'm a huge sports fan. I love the psychology of athletes and the culture of athletics. I'm constantly drawn to those kinds of stories.
I'm a writer, so whatever gymnastics jump through my head, I write about it.
My father's encouragement is what has brought me this far, because when I grew up I wanted to be like him, and I knew I had that ability to become an athlete. Being an Olympian is one of the greatest things, and being an Olympic gold medallist is one of the most prestigious titles in the world.
As an Olympic champion gymnast, I have always stayed involved in my sport.
When I chose athletics, I knew I wanted to be Olympic champion, and now I have done it in London.