Tara Lipinski
I was so young when I was competing that I wasn't as focused on my diet. I was a kid - I ate a lot, and I worked out a lot. But as I get older, I definitely want to be healthier.Collection: Diet
Skating is a very subjective sport where fans have their favorites.
Over the years, God and St. Therese have kept me going no matter how bad things were.
Teens should always remember they are unique, special, and bring something to the world that no one else can.
You have to train your mind just as much as you train your body.
The highlight of my career? The Olympics, of course.
Acting is easier than skating in a way and harder in other aspects. In skating, you get one chance, and with acting you get to do it over and over.
The sound of the blades on the ice in the morning is like smelling fresh coffee.
I can't even imagine what it's like and right now I'm like in shock, I can't believe that I'm Olympic Champion.
It used to be that I wanted to be taller. Once I made 5-foot-1, I was happy.
We need to remind people how fun skating is, how quirky skating is. If we went on TV and overlooked the cold, hard truths and the quirkiness, I don't think that's bringing anything to the fans.
Most athletes won't push a sport forward unless they have the incentive to do so - let alone when the structures of a sport have been set up to actually incentivize them to hold back.
When the rules of judging skating in international competition changed in 2004 with the goal of making judging more transparent, one of the consequences was the rewarding of skaters who attempt more challenging technical elements in the pursuit of ever more points.
Skating, like all other sports, has an element of strategy.
There really hasn't been a name that is in the media on a daily basis, and that's what skating in the '90s was. Everyone knew, after the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan incident - Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan - everyone knew these names. They were household names because they were winning; they were on TV.
I think back to my time when I was skating: I was 15, and there was no such thing as Instagram.
Obviously, the competition at an Olympics, the emotions are running high, and the stakes are higher for these athletes, so it does bring an incredible, palpable excitement and emotion into the building.
The skating world is a very small world.
It's very easy for me to watch a performance and just speak on it as I see it.
Of course, you think back and wonder, 'What would prom have been like?' I didn't have those normal high school experiences. But I was pretty lucky: I had tons of friends at the rink.
Whether you're an athlete or a student, having an adult who believes in you and can give you advice and wisdom that is coming from a place of experience is an incredible asset to help guide you through your young life.
My parents gave me the gift of love and support. They told me never to question what my heart wanted and to be proud of who I was as an individual.
I look back, in an endearing way, on that time of my life when I was competing at the Olympics.
I'm very proud that I was always able to be myself and didn't really care what people thought when I wanted bangs with my little Con-Air curling iron, and I wanted to wear glitter on my eyes and rings on every finger and charm necklaces that look like I was wearing baggage while I skated. But I do look back, and man, those '90s bangs.
I don't know if it's because I've done it forever that it feels strange not to, but I really do believe that if you try to eat healthy, and you work out, it starts your day off good.
A lot of skaters hole themselves up in hotels and focus - and that's great, and that may work for them. But for me, having the Olympic experience was as great as winning the medal. I have so many memories of living in the village and meeting other athletes, seeing other sports, and feeling the energy. It's so magical.
I love my dresses and a good A-line cinch at the waist.
I love a good pair of sweats!
It means a lot to be an Olympian. I'm obviously so grateful and feel so lucky I was able to achieve my dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.
One day I woke up, and I felt like I knew I wanted to be an analyst and a broadcaster.
I stopped amateur skating competitively when I was 15.
I am very competitive, so when I fail I use what I learned from that mishap to fuel success.Collection: Use
As long as I leave my frustration behind, I know I am moving toward my goal again.Collection: Moving
Career-wise, I was not the most naturally talented ice skater. Of course I had a knack for it , but practice was always the answer for me. I needed to put in the time to get back the confidence that led me to Olympic gold.Collection: Wise
I would say facing the obstacles surrounding the day-to-day pressures of an elite athlete at a very young age was not the easiest task. Learning to deal with the nerves and feeling the pressure of representing my country, all while wanting to achieve my own dreams, was a big obstacle to plow through.Collection: Dream
Getting through a workout is just very fulfilling. That 'Ah, I didn't want to do it but I did it and now I feel 10 times better.'Collection: Workout
I love stepping onto the ice knowing I can create whatever I want or am feeling that day. It inspires me to be creative and artistic. It's a great therapeutic outlet to utilize both my heart and body at the same time.Collection: Heart
I believe in myself and in Saint Therese.Collection: Believe
Acting is easier than skating in ia way and harder in other aspects. In skating, you get one chance, and with acting you get to do it over and over.Collection: Motivational
I love working out and when I'm home. I love the feeling of walking out of a class. That's just an addictive feeling for me.Collection: Home
I try to eat pretty healthy, but I do love carbs. So, I'm not the person who could stick to a perfectly healthy diet. I love chocolate too so I always have dark chocolate Hershey's kisses in my purse ready for me to have throughout the day. Dark chocolate is my weakness!Collection: Dark
I had that feeling of just pure joy and I went out there and put it in my program.Collection: Joy
As an athlete, everyone was always like, 'Listen to your body.' Whether it's an injury or whether it's just a nagging ache, that can affect your progress just because you think 'Oh, I'll push through it today' and then you can't work out for two weeks. I've learned that, as a skater, I'm very aware of that.Collection: Athlete
I love to work out. I need to work out! Nothing makes me feel better than walking out of a spin or barre class knowing my body and mind got some attention.Collection: Feel Better