Ever graceful and light as air, skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi has glided across the ice countless times, bringing home Olympic and World Figure Skating Championship medals after winning her first major singles title at the 1991World Championships in Munich.

She emerged on the eve of the 1992 Olympics as the reigning U.S. and world champion, performing to the "Blue Danube Waltz." Now the 36-year-old mother of two daughters lives a suburban life in Raleigh, N.C., with her husband, NHL player Bret Hedican.

The two married in a picture-perfect sunset ceremony on Hawaii's Kohala Coast almost eight years ago, surrounded by family and fellow ice stars.

Yamaguchi was born in Northern California and she credits her parents for playing a strong role in nurturing her figure skating aspirations. She was in ballet classes at age 4 and skating lessons by age 6. While her daughters Keara, 4, and Emma, 2, have shown no specific skating goals, Yamaguchi said she would support them in their dreams, whatever they might be.

Now Yamaguchi is facing a new challenge. She has joined the current roster of celebrities competing on "Dancing With The Stars." Will her foxtrot and tango match her ice combinations of artistic expression and athleticism? No pressure for the former professional skater, who says she has found success already in her private and professional lives.

Bankrate: Where did you and Bret first meet?

Kristi Yamaguchi: He was on the U.S. 1992 Olympic team and so was I. We briefly met there and got reacquainted in 1995 in Vancouver where he was playing hockey. We kept in touch, became friends, began dating and now we're married.

Bankrate: You are such a petite competitor at 5 feet 1 inch. When you gain a few extra pounds, where does it go?

Kristi Yamaguchi: If I gain weight, it's always in my stomach. But I'd say I'm proud of my shoulders. I think from skating and being active with some of my ballet when I was younger, helped them get lean and defined.

Bankrate: Do you still skate?

Kristi Yamaguchi: Not right now ... it's been two months since I skated. I wasn't planning to perform at all last year but I did do a show in December, which was a last-minute thing for me to decide to do. I usually plan ahead for this. I'm semi-retired, so I don't get on the ice as much as I used to.