To have any doubt in your body is the biggest weakness an athlete can have. There are times when I physically can't get myself to go for a skill because I'm thinking, 'My knee hurts really bad.'
— Shawn Johnson
Injury taught me I need to learn how to face challenges.
People only see gymnastics on TV and in the Olympics at such an extreme. So it can be intimidating.
To finish off this whole Olympics by finally getting the gold medal, it's the best feeling in the world.
My other life keeps me calm and grounded and normal.
Stay strong. Stand up. Have a voice.
I always have someone to look up to, and I think it helps me with motivating myself.
I don't know where I'm really going to cha cha, but hopefully I can find a place.
I still can't believe I'm an Olympic athlete.
I don't feel like a star; I never have. I don't feel like a star; I never have. I always feel like I'm the young one, I'm the small one. I always have someone to look up to, and I think it helps me with motivating myself.
It might have been easier to retire, to say my knee couldn't handle it and let that be that. At the same time, the prospect of not being able to compete in gymnastics anymore was heartbreaking.
A comeback in gymnastics is almost impossible in itself.
It's about putting in the hours and going through the paces.
Gymnastics taught me everything - life lessons, responsibility and discipline and respect.
