As a competitive gymnast, my life has always been filled with challenges that would ultimately define my future. From day one, I was taught to be prepared at all costs.

It is well to be prepared for life as it is, but it is better to be prepared to make life better than it is.

My parents, Romanian immigrants, struggled to provide me a better life than the ones they had left in their homeland. They worked hard to give me every opportunity in life, and once I showed natural talent as a young gymnast, they spent every last penny on my training.

A government must always be prepared for the unexpected.

Be prepared and be honest.

Life is always what you are prepared to make it.