The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you.
Interpretation
You are your own greatest obstacle to achieving your goals.
This quote emphasizes the idea that self-doubt and personal limitations are often the biggest hurdles in the pursuit of one's objectives. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and mindset, suggesting that overcoming internal barriers is key to success.
In practice
During a motivational speech at a school assembly.
Winning is great, but being able to finish my last Olympic Games on American soil was very important. Even though I was injured, I didn't let my psyche get the best of me and cause me to doubt myself, so I was willing to pull every muscle in my body in '96 in order to get the job done and I came away with the bronze medal.
We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless.
The 2012 London Olympic Games fostered a generation of hope. I witnessed women participating for the very first time, representing every nation.
It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
I set my sights on making an Olympic team, not realizing how tough it was going to be.
There are many women who came before me who didn't really have the same opportunities that I have had. That's why I always wanted to be a great ambassador - not only today's generation - but for the women who really didn't have a voice, but who paved the way for me.
I made a conscious decision not to tell anyone in my life. Now I tell people - don't tell anyone your idea until you have invested enough of yourself in it that you are not going to turn back. When a person has an idea at that conception moment it is the most vulnerable - one negative comment could knock you off course.
The hardest exercise for most of us fat people is that one where we push our chairback from the dinner table.
I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.
No volleyball play can begin without a serve, and the serve is the only technique that is totally under your control. In other endeavors, you cannot succeed without believing in yourself, and that belief is completely under your control.
No matter how you feel today, get up, dress up & show up
First become a winner in life. Then it's easier to become a winner on the field.
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