I've been through a lot of things in my personal and family life. That turned me into a fighter. I always strive to be the best I possibly can. 
I take everything with a grain of salt. 
I hate the cliche of 'just have fun,' but what I've seen in today's sports, especially with parents, is they put so much pressure on the kids. 
I usually tell people I watch like '24' and 'Prison Break.' 
When I did 'Dancing With the Stars,' everyone in Hollywood was saying I had too much muscle. 
I have a lot of critics; we all know that. 
London 2012 is all about winning a medal. Not just any medal, the gold medal. 
My father was never around. But I glorified my father, and I was always daddy's little girl. He was my first soccer coach. 
Speech is the image of actions 
I have an attitude. It's what I do. I'm edgy. I have an attitude. 
A lot of people think I'm naturally confident. I am not naturally confident! 
I couldn't have been a great goalkeeper without power, agility and quickness. 
My life goes in four-year cycles. The World Cup is every four years and the Olympics are every four years. 
On a global stage, I have respect in the goalkeeping world. 
I just want to stay in my hotel room, read my book. I enjoy that private time. 
When the Olympics and World Cups come around, that's when you see the real outpouring of support that there really is for female football. 
It's clear that women athletics are pretty far behind in every way. In terms of facilities, how much we make, everything. 
I burn so many calories when I work out that I don't really count calories or necessarily try and stay away from anything. 
When I was younger, I was a complete tomboy. Then in college I started emerging out of the tomboy stage and dressing differently. 
Growing up, I felt insecure about my build. I didn't feel very feminine. But as time went on, I learned to completely embrace my body. 
L.A. is a bit strange. It doesn't seem like the real world. 
Female athletes are supposed to be toned down. You're always supposed to talk about the team and never stand out. 
Unfortunately, people think I'm negative and bitter all the time, and that's not the case. 
I never go on Facebook! I like, haven't confirmed anybody to be my friend on Facebook. I have lots of friends; I'm just really bad at Facebook. ![Hope Solo quotes: [My mother] was the strength of our family, and I didn't realize that until I got a little bit older.](http://www.wisefamousquotes.com/images/hope-solo-quotes-1115819.jpg "Hope Solo quotes: [My mother] was the strength of our family, and I didn't realize that until I got a little bit older.")
[My mother] was the strength of our family, and I didn't realize that until I got a little bit older. 
In truth, 2007 was the hardest year of my life. I lost my best friend. I lost my father. 
Every athlete acquires routines as a way to help control nerves. 
I live for competition. It makes my life complete. 
I don't need a captain's band to lead a team to victory. 
I have given my life to the game and to the sport. 
I carry my iPod everywhere. My favorite group is the John Butler Trio, an Australian jam band. The lead singer and guitarist writes amazing lyrics. 
Athletes are extremists. When they're training, it's laser focus. 
I've had marriage proposals, invitations to military balls and even a few prom offers from 18-year-old boys. 
No one wants to lose, period. It should hurt, it should sting, and you don't want to feel that feeling again. 
You can predict all you want, but everybody knows what predictions get you. 
I am proud of who I am, and nobody's going to steal that. 
I'm a nerd at heart. 
I still don't buy the idea that I'm a 'sex symbol.' 
Of course Seattle loves soccer. You can see from the men's Seattle Sounders team. 
I think people who don't have conflict in their lives are just trying to please people and not really living life to the fullest. 