Gymnast Mary Lou Retton (1968-), just about 4'8-3/4" and 94-pounds, was an athlete with a flaming heart. Born in the coal-mining town of Fairmont, West Virginia, she began studying dance and acrobatics at age 4.

"I'm very determined and stubborn. There's a desire in me that makes me want to do more and more, and to do it right," said Retton, an exuberant sparkplug who made Olympic history in 1984 by becoming the first American to win the Gold Medal in the All-Around in women's gymnastics.

With a radiant, wide smile, Retton earned a perfect score of ten in the vault, the final event of the competition. "The Vault without Fault," said Sports Illustrated. "With one powerful, full-twisting layout double Tsukahara, gymnast Mary Lou Retton vaulted into the national consciousness."

Retton's flawless leap of determination was born of many long hours under the demanding eye of coach Bela Karolyi, who Retton described as "charging around the gym, yelling, cajoling, sweet-talking and challenging his girls to go faster, higher and stronger."

"Heat is required to forge anything," the pint-sized gymnast advised, "Every great accomplishment is the story of a flaming heart."

In 1993, an Associated Press national survey named her the Most Popular Athlete in America and in 1997 she was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Today Retton is still widely-recognized throughout the world and radiates as a successful writer, motivational speaker, and the proud mother of three.

Use what you got.