I am the American Dream. When I bleed, it’s awfully red, and when I bruise, it’s bluer than the heavens, and I promise you’ll get lost somewhere in the whiteness of my smile.

I wanted to reject it all because I was sick of being perfect. I was so bored with normality and dreams of poster boys and tabloid covers.

People admire my confidence, but they never see me when I'm alone. That's when I'm the most raw because I'm not trying to sell myself to anybody.

My dad was a firefighter for almost 30 years. My mom worked her way up from a secretary to vice president of her own company. They taught me to work hard for everything and take nothing for granted. That's how I play.

I'm sure I frustrate the trainers - in fact, I know I frustrate the trainers to no end. But I think there's a very fine line. I listen to their advice. I take their medical expertise very seriously. But then I also, the reason I am where I am, the reason I play the way I play, is because I push beyond normal.

What I remember most about high school are the memories I created with my friends.