g3 － about a boy ... & his mama.

Here's how you know you've raised your son right: Every time he steps off the podium after having been awarded an Olympic gold medal － even if it's the eighth time in as many days － he walks over to you and presents you with his winning bouquet.

Debbie Phelps is the principal at Baltimore's Windsor Mill Middle School, and active leader within her community, an occasional motivational speaker (a role I suspect she'll be playing with growing frequency), an avid reader, an aspiring writer, a world traveler and sports fan, and a proud single mother of three － one of whom happens to be Olympic God of Swimming Michael Phelps.

Here's to a mom who － while her son showed the world an extraordinary example of what an ultimate champion looks like － showed the world what an essential role an exceptionally loving and supportive family plays in creating such a champion.