not all like that. People are so passionate about
what they want to do, and they’re trying new
things, and they want to help you try new
things. It’s just a fun atmosphere. It shows you
new things you never thought were out there.
With all the opportunities you’ve received,
what personal sacrifices have you had to
make? Along with gymnastics and everything, I
would just say time spent with family. And I
don’t think I’ve made too many [sacrifices],
honestly. I think I’ve been really fortunate about
that. I’ve just enjoyed what I’ve been doing, and
my family’s been with me every step of the
way. But I’d say most recently just agreeing to
do Dancing With The Stars and to be a part of
these things, I did give up that first opportunity
to go straight back to gymnastics. And part of
me says, ‘What would it have been like had I
gone straight back?’ But I believe everything
happens for a reason, and it’s opened so many
doors for me. It’s shown me so many new
things, and I’ve loved everything I’ve done.
What has been the craziest offer you’ve
had, but turned down? [Pauses] I don’t know
… I think someone from Dancing With The
Stars asked me to, like, come and teach dance
[laughs], and I don’t know how to dance. They
kind of just pushed me through it.
With whom have you forged the closest
friendships through your new opportunities? Of course, the Dancing With The Stars
people—me and my dance partner (Mark
Ballas) are really, really close. Of course, people
still from the Olympics, from different sports.
We still keep in touch. I don’t know, it’s kind of
random friendships all over. But it is kind of
funny to think that my closest friends live in
L.A. and Chicago and Florida. Nobody is really
in the same city as I am. I don’t know, you get
to travel.
I read a quote in which you encouraged
kids to spend less time on Facebook and
Twitter and more time on themselves. How
do you balance social networking with real
life? I don’t spend too much time on it. I’ll
Twitter once or twice a day, or something like
that. Facebook, I’ve still never really gotten into
that. But I love doing things outside and being a
part of stuff. [Because of] gymnastics, I never
really had time for [social networking], so that’s
kind of how I’ve grown up,
and I love it. It’s hard to see
friends on Facebook for
hours. I just want to [say],
‘Get out, go work out, go
have fun, go to the park.’ It’s
so much more refreshing
and you learn so much
more, and you see the world
so much more.
How is your relationship
with your parents different
now compared with before
the Olympics? I think from
the Olympics I grew up a lot.
You’re kind of living on your
own and you’re in the most
mentally challenging experience I think anybody could
be put through. And when
you don’t have your parents
[around] you’re forced to
kind of learn everything on
your own real fast, and I
think I grew up quite a bit
over that span of time. And
my parents definitely noticed
it when I came home. I was
more independent. We’re
still a really, really close family. We stick together in
everything. They travel with
me to all the places I go—
one of them, at least. We’re
still the same we’ve always
been.
You’ve probably made a
lot of money since the
“Part of me says, ‘What
would it have been like
had I gone straight back
[to gymnastics]?’”
Olympics. What have you learned about
money and the effect it can have on people? You do learn a lot about that. It’s something I don’t work for; I’m not about money. I
don’t think I’ll ever be about that. You learn to
make a living, to manage and be a part of that
business and corporate lifestyle, but you see
how it can affect people in a bad way. And for
me, that would be my worst nightmare. I never
want to be a part of that. I’m about charity. I’m
about helping people and keeping a … level
head and being the all-American girl I feel like
I’ve always been.
With all you’ve been through, how do you
maintain your values? What is your
anchor? I think my hometown has a lot to do
with that, but [also] my parents and my friends.
I’ve maintained the same connection that I’ve
had ever since I was in kindergarten. I have the
same friends, I’m part of the same school, I’ve
lived in the same house ever since I was 4. It’s
just having that base and foundation and always
having something to go back to, to remind you
of who you are and where you came from.
What new projects do you have lined up for
2010? With all the projects and opportunities,
I’m still really hesitant to agree to anything
because I’m not sure what I want to do yet. But
most recently, I was a part of the new Royal
Caribbean ship; I’m doing a lot with them. I’m
going to be part of the Vancouver Olympics; I’ll
be passing the torch. And then I’ll be part of
the Champion Kids Program with McDonald’s
… Other things, I’m not really sure yet. I’m still
working on it.
Did you see the London world championships, and the women’s all-around, in
particular? I did. I was so happy for Bridget
(Sloan) and, of course, Rebecca (Bross). They
did an amazing job. They’ve been working so
long … to see them get the opportunity and
finally peak to that point where they’re now the
best in the world. It’s great to see them grow
and become that, because I remember being
there and that sense of accomplishment, and
I’m so happy for them.
For all your fans that hope you’ll return to
competition, is it safe to say you’re keeping
that door open right no w? Definitely, that
door is wide open, and I don’t think it will close
for a long, long time. There’s definitely hope. I
can promise you that I want to get back into
the gym. I want to start playing around and seeing if it feels right, but it’s a hard commitment
and nothing’s ever for sure. IG
