Apolo Ohno Quotes

Powerful Apolo Ohno for Daily Growth

About Apolo Ohno

Apolo Anton Ohno, born on May 22, 1982, in Seattle, Washington, is an American former short track speed skater who has left an indelible mark on the sports world. Raised by a single mother, Ohno's Japanese heritage and upbringing in a multicultural community significantly influenced his identity and outlook. Ohno's athletic career began at the age of nine when he started competing in inline skating. His talents were soon recognized, leading him to transition to short track speed skating. He made his international debut at the 1998 World Junior Championships, but it was at the 2002 Winter Olympics that Ohno captured the world's attention. At just 19 years old, he won two silver medals, marking the beginning of an illustrious Olympic career. Over the next decade, Ohno continued to dominate short track speed skating, amassing a total of eight Olympic medals—more than any other American Winter Olympian. His most memorable victories include the 500-meter and 1500-meter races in Turin during the 2006 Olympics, where he became the first U.S. athlete to win multiple gold medals in a single Winter Games. Post-Olympics, Ohno ventured into reality television, business, and philanthropy. He competed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and has launched various entrepreneurial endeavors. Ohno is also a passionate advocate for charities supporting children, education, and health initiatives. In addition to his athletic achievements, Apolo Ohno is renowned for his resilience, determination, and grace under pressure—qualities he embodies both on and off the ice. His story continues to inspire millions around the world as a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and dreaming big.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision."

This quote by Apolo Ohno suggests that champions are not merely products of physical training or gym workouts; rather, they are individuals driven by an inner desire, dream, or vision. It implies that the true essence of a champion lies in their indomitable spirit, their relentless pursuit of excellence, and their unwavering determination to achieve their goals. This quote serves as a reminder that success is not just about acquiring skills, but also cultivating an unyielding passion and ambition within oneself.

"Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle."

Apolo Ohno's quote underscores that success and rewards are often accompanied by hardship and struggle. The implication here is that life's most significant achievements do not come easily; instead, they require effort, perseverance, and resilience. This insight encourages individuals to embrace the challenges they face on their journey towards achieving their goals, knowing that overcoming those obstacles will bring them a more meaningful and fulfilling reward in the end.

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

This quote by Apolo Ohno signifies that the greater the challenge or obstacle one faces, the more significant and worthy of recognition is the achievement when overcome. It suggests that hardships and difficulties serve as opportunities for personal growth, triumph, and glory. In other words, overcoming adversity or obstacles contributes to our sense of accomplishment and pride.

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

Apolo Ohno's quote emphasizes the transient nature of both success and failure. Success should not be seen as an end goal, but rather a temporary milestone on a journey, while failure doesn't define one's worth or ability to succeed in the future. What truly matters is courage - the determination and bravery shown in overcoming obstacles and pursuing dreams despite the potential for setbacks and disappointments. This perspective encourages resilience, perseverance, and continuous growth, as both successes and failures serve as stepping stones towards personal development and fulfilling one's potential.

"I think the most important thing is to dream big and don't be afraid of your dreams."

This quote by Apolo Ohno emphasizes the importance of having ambitious aspirations and not fearing them. It encourages individuals to have high aspirations, or "dream big," for their goals and ambitions in life. The second part highlights that there should be no apprehension or reluctance towards those dreams. Rather, one should embrace and pursue them without fear, as they are essential components of personal growth and success. In other words, the quote is a call to action to dream ambitiously and boldly face any challenges along the way to achieve those dreams.

It is not up to me whether I win or lose. Ultimately, this might not be my day. And it is that philosophy towards sports, something that I really truly live by. I am emotional. I want to win. I am hungry. I am a competitor. I have that fire. But deep down, I truly enjoy the art of competing so much more than the result.

- Apolo Ohno

Deep, Enjoy, Down, Win Or Lose

Do I feel any pressure as the most decorated Winter Olympian in American history? None at all. The only pressures that I know I face are those of how to pay it forward: How can I continually make a positive impact in people's lives, help others achieve their dreams, create their own Olympic mindset, creating champions within themselves?

- Apolo Ohno

Own, Achieve, Olympic, Champions

It's about having an active lifestyle, staying healthy, and making the right decisions. Life is about balance. Not everybody wants to run a marathon, but we could all start working out and being active, whether you walk to work or take an extra flight of stairs.

- Apolo Ohno

Flight, Everybody, Staying, Marathon

Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the 'old Japan' and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture.

- Apolo Ohno

City, Electronics, Japan, Japanese

I am a believer in nutrient timing and supplementation, through 8Zone. I love eggs, apples, wild fish, leafy greens, brown rice, pasta, oatmeal, home grown Washington Potatoes, and cooking with coconut and olive oils.

- Apolo Ohno

Love, Through, Potatoes, Brown

Champions all get kicked when they're down.

- Apolo Ohno

Champions, Down, Get, Kicked

I've always wanted to play a role in inspiring people to be better, to live higher quality lives and to feel good about the way that they look and feel.

- Apolo Ohno

Play, Always, Role, Higher Quality

When you reach that competing point, when you reach that time when the gun is about to go off, everyone's level is pretty much the same. The one thing that's going to separate you from everybody else is how you deal with those pressures, how you stay relaxed.

- Apolo Ohno

Gun, Deal, Everybody, Relaxed

I wanted to play football or be a boxer, but my dad didn't want that because of all the impact. But in 1992 I was watching short track, and it was obscure, but they looked like superheroes in their tight outfits, and I thought it was amazing. I wanted to do that. I made the national team at 14.

- Apolo Ohno

Thought, Play, Dad, Play Football

I rolled the second car that I ever owned, a Toyota 4 Runner. This was winter in Colorado, two weeks before the 2002 Olympic trials. I was driving in the outside lane, and my rear tire caught some black ice, and we totally turned sideways to the point where we were heading right toward the median.

- Apolo Ohno

Some, Caught, Olympic, Two Weeks

Michael Phelps is a good friend of mine, so I'm very supportive of him.

- Apolo Ohno

Michael, Very, Mine, Good Friend

I believe my father has and always will be the strongest influence in my life, as he has guided me on many paths.

- Apolo Ohno

My Life, Will, Always, Guided

Vancouver is an amazing city and luckily, growing up in the Seattle area, I was able to immerse myself into the culture at a young age, traveling back and forth across the border for skating competitions as a youngster.

- Apolo Ohno

City, Young, Luckily, Competitions

My 'go to' workout is called the Asylum from Beach Body. It's intense training with lots of intervals, core work. It's hard! I travel a lot, so I can take it on the road with me and do it in a hotel room.

- Apolo Ohno

Training, Body, I Can, Asylum

I can look into someone's eyes and feel like I know her better, versus a phone call, where you can't get that same type of emotion. That's why text messaging gets you in trouble: You can't bond, and emoticons explain only so much.

- Apolo Ohno

Why, Feel, Explain, Versus

I could never focus on my upper body as a skater, so I'm enjoying having symmetrical upper and lower body muscle.

- Apolo Ohno

Could, Having, Upper, Symmetrical

U.S. Speedskating has been riddled with problems since when I started my career, and we were always able to look past that. When it came down to performing on the ice, regardless of funding issues, we were always able to make it happen. And that's what it's all about.

- Apolo Ohno

Career, Been, About, Riddled

On the ice, if I slow down, I can coast behind somebody for a couple of laps. If I slow down on the run, it'll turn into a walk.

- Apolo Ohno

Behind, Ice, Couple, Laps

I never had one day that I didn't want to be on the ice, because I always had an objective for that day. I had a rigorous plan and schedule in place that I had to adhere to. It was a step-by-step process of slowly but surely inching toward the Olympic Games and using every day as a series of goals to be accomplished.

- Apolo Ohno

Every Day, Surely, Olympic, Adhere

I was an avid swimmer and was state champ at age 12.

- Apolo Ohno

State, Champ, Avid, Swimmer

It's important to be driven and have goals. You want an independent woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. It's attractive to me when a woman is doing what she loves. It makes me want to know more.

- Apolo Ohno

Woman, Doing, Attractive, Goals

I don't have great running technique, but I like to run. I've heard from countless people that the last six miles of the marathon is all mental. But what better city to have this in than New York City where there are millions of people there supporting you?

- Apolo Ohno

City, Run, New York City, Supporting

Every Olympic athlete prepares differently. For me, I am 100 percent into the sport. And if I decide to really make a crucial career decision to say, 'This is something I want to do,' I want to leave no stone unturned in my preparation.

- Apolo Ohno

Career, Olympic, Crucial, Prepares

I want to break into the acting industry. It's something I have a great deal of respect for; it's a passion of mine. It's so amazing, the differences between acting and being an athlete, but the one commonality is they both evoke emotion in the viewer. And those emotions are real. So I think that's pretty cool.

- Apolo Ohno

Deal, I Think, Viewer, Commonality

It starts with your diet and then to your exercise... you have to make the right decisions as a consumer and learn about carbs and proteins as well as watching your portion control, and from there you have to stay active as much as possible.

- Apolo Ohno

Learn, Carbs, Portion, Consumer

I know that BMW is now a sponsor of the USOC - of the United States Olympic Committee - so they offer the use of their aerodynamic speed-tunnel for testing and such for the athletes, which is a great advantage. But to be honest with you, I'd rather have a free car!

- Apolo Ohno

United, Sponsor, Olympic, BMW

I was always active as a child. My dad tried to place me in every sport imaginable. I had so much energy, he wanted to push me in a direction where that energy was used appropriately to keep me out of trouble and focused while I was in school.

- Apolo Ohno

Used, Had, Dad, Imaginable

The fact that I didn't have a mom is a challenge; it was a struggle; and we made the best of it, and because of that my relationship with my dad is that much stronger.

- Apolo Ohno

Fact, Made, Dad, Struggle

In school I studied international business and marketing, so I've always been attracted to business.

- Apolo Ohno

Marketing, Always, Been, International

I had a ton of energy, ran around like crazy - more than a handful for my dad. I was crazy. Dad barely handled it. I was never diagnosed ADHD or anything like that, but I'm pretty sure I had it when I was younger. It's the only thing that would explain me getting into trouble all the time.

- Apolo Ohno

Explain, The Only Thing, Dad, Ran

I have a scar on my left thigh, kind of almost near my knee. I essentially fell in the 2002 Olympics and when I hit the wall - because of the impact - my right leg kind of came in at like a knife-type angle and stabbed my leg with my own skate blade.

- Apolo Ohno

Leg, Own, Almost, Skate

Early in my career, I had difficulty breathing during workouts and my performance on the ice suffered. It wasn't until I was diagnosed with EIB and received the proper treatment that I was able to reach my peak performance.

- Apolo Ohno

Career, Breathing, Treatment, Diagnosed

My small experience on 'Dancing with the Stars' allowed me to slowly appreciate the Waltz and Viennese Waltz, but to see it in Vienna is something much different.

- Apolo Ohno

Dancing, Small, Allowed, Waltz

The last thing I want is for people to go through the motions in life. We're all meant to do different things, but there's a lot of opportunity for us to do some great things.

- Apolo Ohno

Through, Some, Meant, Motions

I've always liked game shows - the competitive aspect and the character-driven personalities you see.

- Apolo Ohno

Game, See, Always, Personalities

When you are at the Olympic Games, it comes down to a ten thousandth of a hair between making the next round or winning a race or getting second or third.

- Apolo Ohno

Next, Making, Olympic, Olympic Games

Besides film, I'd like to be the young Regis. That would be great. Going back and forth from L.A. to New York. Doing stuff on food. Doing stuff on kids. Just talking about issues that are relevant. Doing things on the Olympic Games.

- Apolo Ohno

Doing, Young, Olympic, Olympic Games

My life has always been with my dad. Since I can remember, I was raised by my father my entire life. So he's kind of been that mom and father figure - always.

- Apolo Ohno

My Life, Always, Been, Father Figure

I wanted to go back on 'Dancing With the Stars,' I did it. One of my favorite shows is 'Hawaii Five-0.' I went on, guest starred. I wanted to be in a film, did 'Tasmanian Devils' in Vancouver. Wanted to host a show, boom, did it.

- Apolo Ohno

Dancing, Show, Boom, Starred

It's just a goatee. That sounds kind of weird. A soul patch? I don't know how 'soul' it is.

- Apolo Ohno

Weird, How, Sounds, Patch

I know exactly what I'm doing on the ice, and I'm in my element.

- Apolo Ohno

Doing, Know, Ice, Element

As I grow older, I have a growing curiosity about my other half. My dad did a wonderful job raising me, and I wouldn't change it for the world, but at the same time there is a growing curiosity about my other half.

- Apolo Ohno

Grow, Other, Raising, Wonderful Job

All the suits I buy have to be tailored, no matter what. But it's not just because of my height; it's because I've been skating for so long. My waist is very small, but my legs are just huge. Most really nice suit makers are Italian, and usually they make suit pants for Italian men. I'm like, 'Those Italians must have pretty skinny legs.'

- Apolo Ohno

Small, Been, Very, Waist

Who cares if somebody dances better? Doing my very best is rewarding internally.

- Apolo Ohno

Doing, Cares, Very, Dances

My father is 100% Japanese and came to the United States when he was only 18 years old. My grandmother still resides in Japan, which has allowed me to travel to the roots of my ancestors with my father.

- Apolo Ohno

United States, Still, Which, Resides

One things guys have to remember is consistency... You can't make up for three years of eating poorly in just one workout.

- Apolo Ohno

Eating, Make Up, Poorly, Workout

With speed skating, it's like doing one-legged squats over and over again, with that one leg absorbing more than 80 percent of your weight. It takes an enormous amount of strength, and you're in such a weird position.

- Apolo Ohno

Strength, Doing, Your, Absorb

We actually have a small family. It's just my father and I and my grandmother, who lives in Tokyo. I cherish my friendships.

- Apolo Ohno

Small, Grandmother, Lives, Tokyo

My first car was a Toyota 4Runner when I was 17. I paid for it myself. I was very happy.

- Apolo Ohno

Car, Myself, Very, Toyota

I tend to build bulk and muscle easily, and running seems to make sure I stay kind of stringy, if that makes sense.

- Apolo Ohno

Kind, Sure, Makes, Bulk

We all naturally want to become successful... we also want to take shortcuts. And it's easy to do so, but you can never take away the effort of hard work and discipline and sacrifice.

- Apolo Ohno

Work, Want, Away, Successful

I only watch the last 40 seconds. Watching a whole marathon over time, the beginning, middle and end look very slow. I want to see action! I can't help it.

- Apolo Ohno

Middle, Over, Very, Seconds

Broadcasting is definitely in my cards for the future, and I'm determined to work hard at it - to perfect it and create my style and niche.

- Apolo Ohno

Work Hard, Cards, Perfect, Determined

I love to shop. Clothes, electronics, and I love jewelry, especially yellow gold.

- Apolo Ohno

Love, Jewelry, Gold, Clothes

If it wasn't for my sport and my father, I'd probably be a fallen statistic. I'd be dead; I'd be in jail. Luckily, I had a great dad in my life.

- Apolo Ohno

Father, My Life, Dad, Statistic

My mantra has always been to have zero regrets in life. Everything I do at one speed, I go all-out.

- Apolo Ohno

Regrets, Always, Been, Mantra

For me, the '60s in the automotive industry was awesome. The cars are heavy, huge, rolling works of art.

- Apolo Ohno

Art, Awesome, Rolling, Heavy

I think that Subway has shown their own personal commitment as a company and how they believe in healthy choices.

- Apolo Ohno

Think, Own, I Think, Subway

The first question is always, 'We loved him on 'Dancing with the Stars,' we loved him in the Olympics, but can he speak English?' Yes I speak English. Yes, I can.

- Apolo Ohno

Dancing, Question, Always, Olympics

Generally, speed skaters don't run that much. I'm a little bit of an exception in that I run a lot.

- Apolo Ohno

Run, Exception, Skaters, Generally

Being a competitor, you always believe you can come back. I'll be up at 3 in the morning watching World Cup races in my hotel whether I'm in Asia on a business trip or in New York City and have to get up in 2 hours.

- Apolo Ohno

City, Back, New York City, Asia

I've been an athlete most of my life and on a disciplined schedule. Working out for me is just part of my every day.

- Apolo Ohno

My Life, Been, Disciplined, Schedule

My life has always been compartmentalized into different aspects. I have my speed skating Olympic pursuits, I have my personal life and have my business life and have my entertainment - TV - Hollywood - whatever have you - always compartmentalizing every aspect of my life.

- Apolo Ohno

My Life, Been, Olympic, Pursuits

When there's somebody racing side-by-side, when somebody's right next to me and they're pushing and we're both tired, we're both fatigued, I want to be able to beat them mentally.

- Apolo Ohno

Racing, Want, Next, Pushing

First and foremost, my involvement within the Olympic pursuit and Games were obviously surrounded by only putting the absolute best nutrients into my body.

- Apolo Ohno

Surrounded, Olympic, Putting, Nutrients

The woman I'm attracted to won't be based on what I write down on paper. It's going to be what I feel.

- Apolo Ohno

Woman, I Write, Based, Paper

Olympic athletes have to find a job right after they're done competing.

- Apolo Ohno

Find, Competing, Olympic, Athletes

My dad's great. He's my biggest supporter. He's always told me that whatever I choose to do, I can do it. I just gotta put my mind to it.

- Apolo Ohno

Mind, Always, Dad, Supporter

My girlfriend has been the ice.

- Apolo Ohno

Ice, Been, Girlfriend

As seemingly impossible as it may seem of having zero regrets, when I look at my life now and all the mistakes I've made, all the bad decisions I've made, all the things I could have done differently or done more in, I don't think I would have changed anything.

- Apolo Ohno

My Life, Regrets, Bad, Differently

An Olympic pursuit really takes a full three to four years of Olympic preparation.

- Apolo Ohno

Pursuit, Four, Takes, Olympic

You'd like people to remember you for these great times on the ice. In reality, you want them to forget because you're doing something new and better.

- Apolo Ohno

Doing, New, Like, Ice

I think so many times in our society we focus so much on just the end result; when we finally reach that point we realize that was never the true goal.

- Apolo Ohno

Goal, Think, I Think, Finally

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