Gabrielle Douglas on Winning Gold: ‘All the Hard Work Was Definitely Worth It’ - East Idaho News
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Gabrielle Douglas on Winning Gold: ‘All the Hard Work Was Definitely Worth It’

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gty gabby douglas jt 121208 wblog?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1354989565687Ray Tamarra/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Two-time gold medalist, Gabrielle Douglas hopes her new memoir about her journey to Olympic gold would inspire and motivate others to never quit.

In Grace, Gold and Glory, Douglas opens up about her tough road to triumph and how homesickness nearly made her quit gymnastics altogether.

Douglas answered questions to eager young fans who joined her on the Good Morning America set on Saturday morning.

One asked her what it was like to win the gold medal.

“It definitely felt amazing,” replied Douglas. “I just look back…all the hard work was definitely worth it and overcoming a lot, with financial problems and a lot of sacrifices and to overcome injuries and moving to Iowa and leaving my family at home…I definitely thought it was worth it.”

Another young admirer asked Douglas about her diet.

“It is very important to eat very healthy,” said Douglas, who encouraged her young fans to eat nutritious foods such as chicken, beef and especially milk.

When asked who her hero was, Douglas said, “I think that’s my Mom. She has always been a fighter and taught me to fight for my dreams.”

In an earlier visit to GMA on Dec. 4, Douglas admitted that seven months before the Olympic games in London, she was ready to leave gymnastics, go home and work at a fast food chain.

It was Douglas’ mother who was able to change her mind. “She told me to keep fighting, keep pushing, I’d rather you come home as a fighter than a quitter.”

Grace, Gold and Glory, is now available online and in bookstores. Douglas hopes to return to gymnastics after the holidays where she will begin preparing for the 2016 Olympics.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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