"People like to watch surfing, but maybe the girls get the wrong kind of promotion and the wrong kind..." — Jessica Fox

I read Leisel Jones' book. She said she retired at 27 and said, 'Now what?' because swimming was the biggest part of her life. So for me, that's why I'm keeping up my studies on the side even if it's going to take a bit longer than normal, but at least I'll have it.

I was so driven in high school but did sometimes wish I could go out with friends, go to parties, and be a normal teenager. But having mum as my coach at home meant I couldn't sneak around.

At the end of the day, the priority is to perform, and the priority is to know that even if women aren't in the spotlight or in the limelight the whole time, we're still bringing in results, and we're still doing what we do best. For me, I'm doing what I love: I love training, I love kayaking and racing, and I'm getting results. Life is good.

I feel a lot of support from the people of Penrith and the Blue Mountains and will always remember the amazing welcome home I received after the London Olympics. But more importantly, it's during hard times that Westies come together.