Michelle Carter

“Some people are meant to be bigger, and that's okay. Because if everybody was built the same, it would be a little boring. We enjoy the differences in each other, and I think that's what makes all of us beautiful.”

“I learn how to put myself in situations at practice that cause me to zone in on what I'm trying to accomplish at meets. I try to make my practice surrounding as close to competition pressure to focus on what I need to do on the big stage.”

“The first event I vividly remember was competing at the Junior Olympics in Seattle, Washington. It was my first major competition outside of Texas, and I remember being very nervous. I could not control my nerves, and I threw a few fouls.”

“Black Girl Magic means that I have the power to overcome anything. Especially when we're in a world where you're told that you can't do something or you're less than, I'm reminded that my ancestors have overcome so much. There's still so much work to be done, and I have the power to overcome it.”

“What I would tell a kid with ADHD and dyslexia or someone who struggles with anything in life is this: 'When you put your mind to it, you can do anything.'”

“I'm in a sport where people don't look at us like women: they don't look at us like being girls or feminine. But I've been girly all my life, and so I couldn't separate... between the sport and being a woman.”

“We grew up listening to a variety of music, such as Gospel/Christian, R&B old/new school, jazz, blues, Mozart, Mary Poppins, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, just to name a few. I love opera, too - went to state in high school as a soloist.”

“I pretty much eat at home all the time, so it's either eggs and sausage, scrambled together, throw some cheese on it, or some bell peppers and onions.”

“I throw the shot put, people expect me to look like somebody named Helga and not put on make up to be considered serious about my sport.”

“It's cool because here everybody has the same goal. We're all competing for our countries. We're all coming down here to do our best. And we all are the best athletes in our own countries.”

“Being a female athlete, sometimes your clothes don't fit right if you have a small waist and broad shoulders, or strong hips. And it's OK to embrace that.”

“I just want to go out there and do my best. You can't argue with your best.”

“Rio has been absolutely epic. I did leave my heart out there, and I wanted to do everybody proud.”

“Accepting your body and body image is very important, because there are images that are put out in the media and in your face every day that you need to look this certain kind of way, that it's gonna take you far in life.”

“I loved playing with a doll as a youngster. I liked dressing her up and combing her hair. This one doll had a really big face and hair and earrings. I had her for a long time and only got rid of her when I was at high school.”

“Even though I was dealing with all of these health issues, I was still doing well during my season. It wasn't the best season, but it was consistent. And I figured if I could be this consistent when I'm not my best, what happens when I get better, where could I be? So I wanted to see what I would be like on the other side.”

“I can't choose a favorite musician, because I love music so much that whatever/whomever I'm listening to at that moment is my favorite.”

“I grew up in church. I don't know anything different.”

“My advice is try something you've never done before or maybe something that's not as popular.”

“My faith has always been part of my life.”