Martina Navratilova On Staying Fit, coming out, the fight against cancer and transcend sports

  Tennis legend Martina Navratilova is in the offices of The Huffington Post looks relaxed and fit into a kaleidoscope of printing black and white blouse, skinny jeans and silver Louis Vuitton sneakers, her long-haired dachshund Lulu in tow. "The first day [the U.S. Open] I was wearing high heels, and then I realized the cameras [] do not show your feet - so I switched to flip-flops, because it was so hot," she laughs. this cooler on Monday morning, she made do with sneakers.

They are a perfect accessory for fitness ambassador latest AARP. Navratilova, 55, won 18 singles titles, 31 women's doubles titles and 10 mixed doubles titles. As his fans know, tennis Navratilova was a ticket from Soviet control in Czechoslovakia, she was the U.S. Open in 1975 at the age of 18. It is a book author, gay rights activist and former Dancing with the Stars competitor and it is fortunately a partnership with Russia Lemigova model Julia, the (Navratilova described her as his "immediate family members") has two children. She spoke with the Huffington Post in New York.

Serena Williams won his fourth title at Flushing Meadows this weekend and he was 15 Slam in 30 years - his file three away from your single. They were also the last 30-something player to win the U.S. Open.

Well, it's starting to catch me and make me happy. But she deserves it. She was two points to lose the game yesterday and end up winning. I thought [Victoria] Azarenka was nervous, she missed some shots that should not miss. Whenever they stand a chance, and to assume they had could not do it. Serena did well.

Remember you have to open your nerves?

Of course, everyone gets nervous. It's just better able to handle and manage. You just have to focus on what you do, 'OK, this game I must win, win to win this ... I've used this way or start the ball higher ... " While the process at this time to be the nerves away. They break completely, and in the end it's right on the ball. You should block.

Is there a parallel between this situation and try to stay in shape after 50 years?

But of course there is a parallel between this and what we really do - because you get overwhelmed with the stuff. Therefore, priority: At this point I must at this point I need to do to stay hydrated - if you do not think things over 20,000.

What is your education?

I did not, because I travel a lot. I do what I can. This week I'm going I do not usually play more tennis. I'll take a little walk with the dogs, biking, when I go to the gym, it is usually for cardio. I'm not much weight, every time for me to take a few pumps and leg exercises to strengthen my legs. When I play I in Aspen skiing or snowboarding or hockey when I have not done it for a year, because I. In Paris, where I am my friend It's catch as catch can. But the variety is what I recommend: Since variety is the spice of life in the food, it is in the exercise. Change it. But most importantly, do not overdo it. ... You really comfortable, what do you train.

Tell me about your diagnosis of breast cancer in 2010 and how it changes your life.

This reinforced my philosophy that "seize the opportunity" always on and make the best of what I cute now. It makes you to do, of course: you do what you want? Are you where you will be for the rest of your life? It's forced a kind of midlife crisis, I guess. I have not changed anything, because I, where I was and what I liked doing. But it is a shock to the system, and it makes you realize how crapshoot that is all. I went to the supermarket and stock up on all things organic immediately - even if now reports that it is not that much difference. I still buy.

I have it easy compared to most people who are diagnosed, because all I had to do was to radiation - which hit me on my ass, but I was able to play tennis and to work through them. Lumpectomy and was more than a simple surgical procedure and I was fine the next day. What has to happen for me, it is the strength of the women were when I went to get my exposure in Paris, women were so beautiful and force that came from them was very exciting.

What is the most dangerous thing you have done in your life since you were 50?

This TV show called "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here", which included jumping out of a plane - I did not know I was going until five minutes before we did. I would like to know if it possible to ... I loved the free fall. It is frightening, but it's exciting.

And other risky thing that should not be risky - I tried to climb Kilimanjaro for charity and almost died on the mountain. But I did not know I could die if I do not get nervous. I found out later that I could have died, and I was like, "Oh shit." But you do not know that you are in danger, if you are not stressed about it. It is still [an example], how the mind plays on our body. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the next day I tried to play hockey, and I had to stop - I had no energy. I'm lost, completely exhausted, which shows you how to control your mind, and how much effort you want to use.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

I think it's really hit me the most is Katharine Hepburn, and said, "It is not what you do in life, what you are ready." In the meantime, I'm struggling with to finish a book at the moment. (Laughs) ... I also think that too many people equate money with success and has nothing to do with the other. If you mean a lot of money so you just make a lot of money. It makes you not a better person. Play tennis, I did not win put in my self-esteem or lose games.

So, what do you think of your value?

Just as I am - as I am with others, as I did on the people around me, how different, your value, treat your character.

What social and political causes are you most excited about?

I have. Active in the animal rights and all sorts of things for the environment and children's charities over the years But for now, affects you me much - and is relevant to many people - it gay marriage and gay rights is.

Are you encouraged by the progress that has been made?

Absolutely, it is moving in the right direction, but there are people who try to block this effort. Now that we're so close, it's really something to go, what you do not want to leave. You do not want back.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

I think it transcends sport and affect people outside of the sport in a positive way, whether a country can leave the oppressors, or long before it was a popular thing to do - more than 30 years. So I think a good example.

Navratilova lead fitness sessions and a large-scale operation in the case of voluntary national AARP & Expo, Life @ 50 + 20 to 22 September in New Orleans.