I looked around and saw my competitors: they're all doing these quads, and at the same time, they're a head shorter than me, they're 10 years younger than me, and they're the size of one of my legs.

My mom always taught me to stand up for what I believe in.

When I was young, to have had somebody out there to look up to... it would have made a world of difference; it would have changed my life.

The first time I ever sang in front of a crowd of people was, like, 10,000 people in Japan at a skating exhibition.

I know I am delusional at times, but I'm not completely-out-of-touch delusional.

I've been skating since I was 10 years old.

It's totally crazy! I can't believe all the young kids doing it in competition now. It's pretty unbelievable to have an element variation named after me.

I feel so honored that I've had the opportunity to share my story with so many people.

Given this platform of being an Olympic athlete, I think it's really important that we stand up for what we believe in, and we speak out against things that we think are wrong and injust.

Athletes are given a really special platform. It's our duty, as athletes, to be role models.

I know that I can do myself better than anybody else can.

I always loved music, to dance, and to be really active. When I started skating, it was the first time all of these things came together. It felt like magic, and I always wanted to be at the rink.

I remember my mom let me stay up late and watch Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan compete in the 1998 Olympic Games. I made paper medals and wore them the whole night. I didn't start skating until 2000, but I was so inspired by their skating that it was why I wanted to start.

My earliest memory of the Olympics was watching the 1996 Games in Atlanta. I remember everyone being so excited to watch. Seeing the American athletes on the podium, I saw myself. I knew that that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to be one of those athletes on the podium representing their country and bringing home medals.

As soon as I broke my foot, I remember thinking that I'm going to make this the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I'm just one of those people that, if there's a problem, I want to work through it. Push through it and do everything I can. Anything.

When I am home in L.A., I love to stop by a yoga class or Soul Cycle session. There is nothing like doing some cycling in the dark to club music and candle light.

Being gay is not something that defines me. What defines me is what my mom always taught me: to treat everyone with respect, to always be a hard worker, and to be kind.

1988 Olympic Champion Brian Boitano was famous for doing a Lutz with one arm over his head. And I wanted to build on that.

All the sacrifices my mom and family had made had been worth it.

I've never made a meal that I wasn't able to eat, but it that doesn't mean anyone else would ever eat it, haha!

As a self-proclaimed cooking disaster, I try to makes things that I think I can easily master.

First and foremost, I'm an athlete. And I'm an Olympian. I'm not a gay Olympian. I'm just an Olympian that's also gay. I don't mind reading that - like, 'gay Olympian Adam Rippon.' It's fine. I hope that, in a way, it makes it easier for other young kids who are gay. If they go to the Olympics, they can just be called Olympians.

For such a long time in my life, I didn't trust my own voice at all. I always tried to do what other people wanted.