Growing up, I was a water baby. We lived near a lake, had a pool in our backyard, and as soon as I was old enough, I joined a swim team. By 10, I was winning local events.

I thought my sports career was over once I got into a wheelchair. That was the hardest reality I had to face.

I made it to the top five on 'Dancing with the Stars.' To me, that was just a tremendous accomplishment.

We all have challenges. We have to face them, embrace them, defy them, and conquer them.

I am devoted to my husband and son. I am devoted to the practices and rituals that imbue our lives with a sense of meaning and purpose, that help me to live my days in the most emotionally and intellectually productive manner. I am devoted to the idea of devotion itself.

I was looking for what the meaning of life was.

I liked the military life. They teach you self-sufficiency early on. I always say that I learned most of what I know about leadership in the Marine Corps. Certain basic principles stay with you - sometimes consciously, mostly unconsciously.

Whenever the heat's on, my whole life, I've just kind of learned to focus a little more.