From what I've read, her mother was a gym teacher and both parents got her and her sisters involved in various sports in their youth, not necessarily competitive sports, but sports to keep them healthy. She's always been athletic and turned to cycling when she didn't make the French national ski team. She trains hard and stays in shape. Her continued success in a demanding sport is a prime example why parents should encourage their children to be physically active and should better control their diets. Unfortunately, far too many children in this country spend too much time in sedentary activities, like computer games and watching TV. They also eat far too much processed foods that are high in trans fats. If only we could encourage healthy life habits.