Retired speed skater Apolo Ohno is one of the biggest names among American winter Olympians.

He’s widely known as the face of short track speed skating with an impressive career earning eight Olympic medals. It makes him the most decorated American winter Olympian of all time.

“I love the sport. I really love the sport,” explained Ohno. “I love athletics, and I really took a lot of pride in improving what I saw, in myself, as weaknesses and bringing those weaknesses up to a level that now they were on par with my strengths.”

Apolo Ohno: Training your mind for success

Retired U.S. speed skater Apolo Ohno talks about how his positive mindset helped him produce extraordinary results.

Ohno’s competitive spirit soars off the ice as well and onto the dance floor. In 2007, he competed in and won “Dancing with the Stars”- a popular TV dance competition show involving celebrities here in the United States. More recently in 2014, Ohno completed the prestigious Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii — a grueling triathlon event where competitors swim, bike and run for more than 225 kilometers. Ohno says it’s a competition that not only required rigorous training, but also a strong mental attitude.

“I am a huge believer in the mindset of an individual, no matter what challenges you have, no matter what obstacles you face,” Ohno said. “The human mind and will power, which is very difficult to measure by science, has and can produce extraordinary results.”

When not competing, Ohno hosts a TV game show, has become a successful businessman, and takes time to give back. He’s actively involved with the Special Olympics as well as his own Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation.

Apolo Ohno joined May Lee in our Los Angeles studio and talked about using the power of the mind to succeed.