“I always say my biggest competitor is myself because, whenever I step out there on the mat, I’m competing against myself to prove that I can do this and that I am very well trained, prepared for it.”

I make breakfast, which is usually Kellogg’s Red Berries or egg whites, and then I go to the gym that’s only 10 minutes away.

Gymnastics is just one part of my life, and I’m having as much fun with it as possible.

I don’t really think about the degree of difficulty or the possibility of making a mistake. I just try to relax and let my preparation and training take over.

It hurts my head, but it’s fine because it’s something I do every day. You can’t avoid the gymnastics questions.

I didn’t really ever dream of going to the Olympics until after 2012.

I think we have other things to worry about than some Zika virus.

I love competing.

I’m thrilled that I was able to share my first Olympic Games experience with my U.S. teammates.

I am like any typical teenager.

We go to church on Sunday and then have family dinner. My mom usually cooks, and most of the time, it’s protein and something else. She will ask us kids what we want!

When I was younger, I thought every kid was adopted because that’s all I’ve known. I have everything I need, so I never felt the need to have answers for what happened.

Mentally, I have to get my body and mind in the right place before I start the routine, but once into the zone, it’s like I turn on a switch. I envision myself doing the same thing for the Olympic Games.

I have dual citizenship.

I would be like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I wish I could go to prom.’ But then I think, ‘You know what? A lot of people can’t say they’ve ever done what I do – they’ll never have this opportunity.’

So far, my goals stops at making an Olympic team, and then if that happens, then I’ll jot down more goals.

Most people would focus on concentrating more, and I can’t do that. It almost makes me overthink a lot of my things. I have to focus on not thinking.

Did you know you would become as successful as you have? Hell, no. But you know what? You were prepared, baby.

Luck tends to come to people who are prepared.

First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.

After much soul searching I was able to renounce my past Islamist ideology, challenging everything I was once prepared to die for.

You weren’t put on earth to be remembered. You were put here to prepare for eternity.

The storms are coming and you need to be prepared.

In proportion as one renders service he becomes great.

Don’t prepare, do. Don’t let Resistance sucker you into wasting months on background, foundation, planning. All that can come later.