Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything

It wasn’t a first place finish. But it was my best, and that’s what mattered.

It’s not whether you win the competition that’s important,” she said. “People will always remember you for the kind of person you are, not just what you do on the floor.

And if someone shows you their true colors, don't make excuses for them or hope that they'll change--listen to your gut.

In living rooms all over America, I knew people of all ages were glued to their TVs and portable devices. That’s the beauty of the Olympics—the whole world comes together, united in their love for sports. I let myself have a moment to think about how momentous this was. I thought of all the different people who would see us compete: Men like my grandfather, who had taped the competition for my mom twenty years before; women like my mother, the high school gymnast; guys like my brother, who enjoyed the sheer athleticism of sports.

I thought to myself: I’m so lucky.

I stood up, leaving a pool of sweat on the mat below. I saw the outline of my body imprinted in sweat on the chalky blue mat. A sweat angel. How gross, I thought. 'Look, Mihai,' I said, pointing at it. 'That's the sign of a hard worker right there.

I think we all realized that making the Olympic team could be harder than winning team gold at the Games itself.

Mihai loomed over me. 'Your choice,' he said encouragingly. 'Do you want to make it because you could have done a little bit more? You can suffer now and be a champion for the rest of your life. Or you can rest and risk a different outcome. Keep pushing, Aly....

Over the years, I've gradually realized that confidence must come from within, not from others' opinions, and that it's impossible to feel satisfied with yourself if you're constantly worrying about what other people think.

People will always remember you for the kind of person you are, not just what you do on the floor.