Dominique Dawes

“I think it's good for parents to be supportive, to motivate, and to somewhat nudge their kids because the majority of kids will want to quit something when it gets hard - that's just their nature. Children will normally take the easier road.”

“I think it's actually harder to watch the meet from the media section. You have no control there.”

“As a media member, my goal is to inform the American fans of persons of character. It's a joy for me, either writing a good story or telling a story on video.”

“I thoroughly enjoy the work I do in helping motivate and empower young girls to celebrate and love their natural selves.”

“Eleven years old is not an early age to set your sight on the Olympics for a gymnast, because we normally peak in high school. I first qualified for the Olympics team during my sophomore year in high school, when I was 15 years old.”

“I think in any industry, it is competitive. There are a certain number of slots out there and opportunities out there. So you need to make sure that you're always on the top of your toes, trying to get better.”

“A lot of people don't know the USOC is not government funded and they are always looking for support from sponsors.”

“I realized I love motivating and I love empowering and I love inspiring people. I did that as an athlete for 18 years, and I am able to do that as a motivational speaker now as well as doing work on television.”

“It's important for moms, but also dads, to recognize that they're role models when it comes to their kids' physical health, when it comes to working out, and when it comes to nutrition.”

“I love athletics. As an athlete, I like to believe I can still do the things I used to do when I was once young.”

“The majority of people who get in the sport of gymnastics do not go to the Olympics or get a Division 1 scholarship, but it doesn't mean that they can't get something positive from the sport.”

“I did do Broadway for a little less than a year and realized quickly I don't have a passion for it and, more importantly, I don't have a talent in it.”

“I struggled with self-esteem issues as a young girl, and it was not until my gymnastics career was completed in 2000 that I realized my accomplishments would not have been possible without my type of body, and I finally started to appreciate and celebrate myself.”