Sport has a lot of similarities with religion. It requires discipline and focus and it encourages an honest and pure kind of living. As with most religious faiths, you put in the effort, follow the guidelines and reach something greater.
My Olympic experiences have given me perspective. Track cycling isn't about life or death: it was about rolling around a wooden bowl on a bike with no brakes.
I adore animals so I have become a vegetarian. I always wanted to be one, but as an athlete it's not very practical. I used to eat a lot of boiled chicken, and was constantly thinking about how many grams of protein I needed.
A Doberman is a very loving, needy and loyal dog. I have two – Mr Jonty and Stella, and they're both as soft as butter. It's just the teeth that scare people.
I can still remember the moves from Strictly Come Dancing. Appearing on the show was incredibly challenging, but it ignited a passion. I live quite close to Brendan Cole so I'm thinking about having more lessons.
My next goal is to become personal trainer. I'm studying for my qualifications and I already have a degree in sport and exercise science. I feel more at home in a gym than a bar.
I have very similar tastes and opinions to my twin brother Alex. We laugh at the same things and the same things annoy us – although he is laid back and I am highly strung, so there is still some yin and yang.
My sister Nicola was the person who showed me how to challenge myself. She was my inspiration as a child because she's an incredibly talented musician. When she sang or got involved in amateur dramatics I wanted to copy her.
I plant my own fruit and vegetables and try to experiment with my recipes, but sometimes nothing beats a curry with onion bhajis.
I find it hard to be frivolous with money. My parents weren't particularly wealthy and Mum liked a bargain so I have always been a saver myself. However, I do like buying shoes – it feels really wrong, but you only live once.
My secret skill is DIY. When we moved into our new home in Oxfordshire last year my husband, Scott, was amazed to discover I had a toolbox, saws and a spirit level. He said: "Oh my God, you've even got a power drill."
Retirement has given me freedom. As a professional cyclist I wasn't even allowed to run. Now I love running off-road near my house and I've tried climbing and skiing. I also tried cricket, but that didn't go well.
You can't teach a lesson to someone who is not willing to learn. I'm someone who seeks revenge on people who have upset me, but I'd like to be more Buddhist in attitude. I'm starting to realise it's better to forgive.
I am vulnerable, I am emotional and I have weaknesses. But I don't beat myself up about them any more. You can say sorry, fix it and move on.
Victoria Pendleton is an ambassador for Macmillan Cycletta, a series of women-only cycle sportives (humanrace.co.uk/cycletta)