Traveling to swimming meets took me beyond my small-town existence, gave me a hint of the exciting world outside of my own home.

When I'm home, I cook my own dinner, all organic.

My father's peripatetic career also gave me critical perspective when it came to my own career choices.

I am a leader in my own world. That's enough for me.

Being outside on your own in all weathers is exciting; it clears you out.

Somehow I kept my head above water. I relied on the discipline, character, and strength that I had started to develop as that little girl in her first swimming pool.