Gold medalist Mary Lou Retton reveals if she'd ever do 'Dancing with the Stars'
Note: The video above is from August 2016.
Mary Lou Retton is an undeniable trailblazer. She was the first woman to win a gold medal in gymnastics for the United States at just 16 years old in 1984. Fast forward to Summer Olympics 2016, and women like Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller and the Fab Five epically followed in her footsteps -- and she couldn't be prouder.
Since making history at the Olympics, Retton hasn't strayed from being active and conscious of her health. That's why she partnered with Nature's Bounty for the #DearFutureMe campaign. She hopes to help people -- athletes or not -- take care of themselves now so they can thank themselves later.
PHOTOS: Mary Lou Retton through the years
Check out my full conversation with Mary Lou Retton -- and find out what she says to supplement skeptics and whether or not she'd ever compete on "Dancing with the Stars."
Tell me why you decided to join forces with Nature's Bounty for the #DearFutureMe campaign.
For me, it's a win-win, it's just a no-brainer. I'm a big believer in taking supplements. I mean, I did throughout me entire athletic and gymnast career -- and even now, as a busy mom of four daughters, it's just a part of my life, living that healthy lifestyle. I just want to help people to do the same thing, which is why we partnered up for the #DearFutureMe campaign, and there's a sweepstakes. [We] just want to encourage people to make that commitment to their future self -- and they can start doing that, literally, today.
What do you say to people who are perhaps skeptical of taking supplements or vitamins?
Getting vitamins and nutrients in a healthy diet is best, but then you supplement with vitamins, that's what I do, and exercise. It's in combination of living that healthy life.
(Note: You should always consult your physician before taking any supplements.)
What's the No. 1 question you regularly get asked as a gold medalist about fitness and health?
How do I stay in shape?
Yes! That would be my question, too!
[Laughs] See! That's the one I get the most. And you know, I'd like to say I exercise every day and I do everything perfectly, and I don't. I don't at all. I struggle with consistency, doing it on a consistent basis, because my schedule is so erratic, so I struggle with that. But I try to get in at least three to four days a week. I try to eat healthy, I try to. For me, that means eating clean foods, God's food. That's why I stay away from processed stuff, which is difficult -- a challenge -- when I'm on the road. When I'm home, I cook and prepare the food for my family. We're an athletic family, we've always eaten clean and healthy foods. That's what I do. I will walk. Walking is a big part of my exercise regime. Swimming lately has been [too], just because I'm a little beat up from my gymnastics career. And I like to pull very light weights to stay lean.
Is there food you will absolutely not touch?
Not really! When I splurge, I'm a salty person -- it's cheese, it's chips, it's pizza, fries. Those are the kinds of things that I splurge and cheat with. But no, I just try and eat, like I said, God's food.
So you do believe in cheat days every once in a while?
Oh gosh, yes! Absolutely. Because you just feel deprived the entire time. You're not going to succeed if you're feeling deprived.
What's your best advice for young Olympians, like the Fab Five, about life after the Olympics?
Enjoy every moment of it. You earned it. We're proud of you. The country is proud of you. Enjoy everything that comes your way. It's fleeting, it's going to come and it's going to go. I think that team is doing just that. They all have their different roads and different avenues that they're taking, and it looks like they're having a blast. Aly [Raisman] has taken a year off, and Laurie [Hernandez] is just dancing herself around the country and Madison [Kocian] is at UCLA pursuing her college career.
Speaking of Laurie [Hernandez], would you ever consider competing on "Dancing with the Stars"?
I'd love to! Are you kidding me? Represent the old group! I'm a big fan of the show. I've actually been asked, [but] with my schedule, I just couldn't do it. If the timing is right, I would love to do it. Especially if there's a gymnast on, of course we all support our family of gymnasts.
Do you have a pro that you would want to dance with?
I'm assuming they're going to put me with one of the smaller ones, one of the shorter ones. I'm not picky!
As we gear up for the premiere of the new "DWTS" season on March 20, relive last season's couples:
This interview has been edited and condensed.
