Kristi Yamaguchi

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.

The past couple years training with Kurt have really brought inspiration into my skating.

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.

Dorothy Hamill was my big idol as a kid. She'd won the Olympics in 1976. She was America's sweetheart with her personality, her talent, her haircut.

As a professional, I think we're not being judged solely on technical ability anymore. People really want to be entertained and enjoy what they're watching.

Being an athlete, you know how to train and prepare your body for a performance and you're able to do it under pressure.

The good feeling I get from contributing rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand in Albertville.

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

As a teenager especially, I just wanted to do my thing and not be noticed.

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.

Now, I am thrilled to be a wife and mother, and I hope to be as good of a mother as my own mother, Carole.

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