Gail Devers

We go old-school during the summer, like swimming or setting up lemonade stands. I try to teach my kids to make their own fun.

I was blessed with a long career where I won gold medals for myself and my country. Nothing stands out as a disappointment.

When I write a goal down - and I truly write them down - it becomes a part of me. That's a contract that I sign with myself to say, 'I don't care what happens - I'm going to stay on this path. I'm going to try and see this through; I'm going to give it my best shot, my best effort.'

Looking back, I'm so proud to have gone to five Olympics - I believe only three other Americans have achieved that.

It's a challenge between me and the hurdle, and the hurdle has always won.

People see me now and ask if I'm still running. I may look like I am, but I'm really not. People think I still run every day but I ran for 25 years and I deserve to not do anything but walk or ride the bike with my kids.

It's totally different now, traveling to different meets and different cities and actually being able to enjoy the cities I'm in.

I have to be cautious, have my thyroid levels checked, and as long as I do that, I'm fine.

While receiving radiation treatment for a thyroid illness, I had refused to take beta-blockers - a medication that would have eased its side effects - because they were deemed illegal by the sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.

I don't have a thyroid anymore. I had radioactive iodine treatment, which destroyed my thyroid. I take medication every day.

I have a real passion for children. I always wanted to teach and only became an athlete because my parents told my brother Parenthesis (sic) and me that we should use any God-given talent we had.

I have a real passion for children. I always wanted to teach and only became an athlete because my parents told my brother Parenthesis and me that we should use any God-given talent we had.