I found the emotion that as an athlete you block out, and it really helped me to understand myself as a person. I'm a really emotional person and it helped make me a better person.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I went through so many things personally, emotionally and mentally during that time off that I know that I'm better for it now and I think I'm a better athlete because of that.
Creating emotion was what my career was all about. I wanted people to laugh at me; I wanted people to cry with me. I wanted people to feel good or to think about something when they watched me. I think that's why, even not being an Olympic champion, I have such a huge following around the world.
As a professional athlete a lot is going to be said about you - but I just try to move forward and try to achieve my goals.
As we all know, when you're an athlete things are a little bit easier for you. It didn't mean that what was going on inside my heart wasn't a bit of a thunderstorm, but outwardly I got along ok. I was really shy in seventh grade.
You try to hide your emotions, so as not to show weaknesses to others. I believe it's the same for every sportsman.
I always tried to hide the fact that I was an athlete. I just wanted to be normal.
When you are an athlete, it's difficult to take time off and say you want to come back without everyone judging you and attacking you.
For me, basketball kind of mirrors life. It sounds deep, but the sport has transformed my personality and my daily coping mechanisms. It has meant a lot.
Being an athlete helps me get those grandiose emotions of pleasure and pain that are involved in sports.
I'm an athlete. I go out there and fight my heart out.