Quotes from Kristi Yamaguchi

I'm always looking for inspiring ways to stay motivated and stay active.

I'd try to channel my nervous energy in a positive way into strength and endurance. It didn't always work.

I'm kind of a homebody. My husband says I like to just stay home and do nothing, but that's just how I am.

Having achieved my own dreams, I want to give to kids who are less fortunate, who struggle with everyday obstacles. I want to give them something positive in their lives: support.

I burnt myself out of skating. I was ready to focus on being a mom.

I've realized how precious life is. When I was younger, I was more adventurous. I felt invincible. I was game for everything. As a mom, I don't want to get injured because then I can't take care of my kids.

At 6 years old, the ice became a place for me to express myself. Because I was so shy off the ice, it became my safe haven, with music and freedom and self-expression. That was my emotional outlet.

Growing up as an athlete, I started skating very young. My parents didn't know anything about the sport, so they went with the flow. I had two great coaches who gave great advice and gave guidelines for my parents. My parents let the coaches dictate what was going on on the ice.

I don't mind the sparkle - I think it's kind of a tradition in skating. I don't think the men really need sparkles, but for the women it's part of the glamour of our sport.

I'd try to channel my nervous energy in a positive way into strength and endurance. It didn't always work.

I don't know how many people really knew who I was before the Olympics and that's the fun thing of the Olympics - you get to know someone who captures your heart, hopefully.

Training for the Olympics was a lifelong endeavor and took many years.

Winning in women's singles felt surreal. I felt that everything I had done - the hard work, the tough times - was all worth it.

I always try to start out with some type of goal. Then I work backward and think of what I need to do to get there, and give myself smaller goals that are more immediate

With 30,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations from the seasonal flu, those numbers are certainly higher than what we've seen of the swine flu. Protecting yourself from both viruses is very important.

Having achieved my own dreams, I want to give to kids who are less fortunate, who struggle with everyday obstacles. I want to give them something positive in their lives: support.

This experience has been once in a lifetime.

My experience at the 1992 Winter Olympics was my fulfillment of dreaming the Impossible Dream.

At 6 years old, the ice became a place for me to express myself. Because I was so shy off the ice, it became my safe haven, with music and freedom and self-expression. That was my emotional outlet.