One of the most difficult times in my life was when I escaped from Romania in November of 1989.

I like to tell young people to work hard for your goals and live in the moment.

I have had a few turning points, the first day I entered a gymnastics school at age 6.

I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives.

I worked hard in gymnastics since the time I was six years old until I retired at 23 years of age.

You should also appreciate the goodness around you, and surround yourself with positive people.

We are not coaching on a daily basis because we often travel with our charity and commercial interests.

I ended up in the US for a month or so, before moving to Montreal with some Romanian friends.

My marriage to my husband, Bart Conner in 1996 is my proudest personal moment.

My parents were very loving, but disciplinarians.

I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.

Of course, most people remember that I received the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics competition.

Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win.

Of course, I grew up in Communist Romania, but I am happy to say that now our country is democratic, and prospering, since the revolution in 1989.

As an Olympic champion gymnast, I have always stayed involved in my sport.

One of the most difficult times in my life was when I escaped from Romania in November of 1989.