The Olympic Spirit is like the wind. You don’t see it coming or going but you hear its voice. You feel the power of its presence. You enjoy the results of its passing. And then it becomes a memory, an echo of days of glory.

One day we were fighting for our lives, the next we were enjoying the clouds, the sunset, the soaring albatross, the dolphins and porpoises. Through it all I never lost my sense that life could be beautiful. I kept my zest for living, morning and night. I’d made it this far and refused to give up because all my life I had always finished the race.

I’ve always been called Lucky Louie. It’s no mystery why.

The great lesson of my life is perseverance. Never give up. It’s like my brother said, “Isn’t one minute of pain worth a lifetime of glory?

You should make your life count right up to the last minute.

I wonder what they’d do if they knew the truth about my high life and my low life and all the demons in between.

I decided then that while I’d continue telling my story to whoever would listen. Rather than preach I’d just plant the seed, live an impeccable life so people could see the difference in me, and let God grant the increase. It was all in His hands now – as it had always been.

To whom much has been given, much is expected.

Your mind is everything. It’s like a muscle. You must exercise it or it will atrophy – just like a muscle.

I knew then that I would not turn back. I’d struggled to come this far, and I would commit myself to whatever happened next.