5 Things You May Not Know About Paralympic Athlete and Commentator Scout Bassett

While being a world medalist and Paralympian looks impressive on her résumé, Bassett told Self that she feels best when she's "enjoying the process" and not "focusing so much on the outcome or the results." Everyone's process looks a little differently, but for Bassett — who competes as a sprinter and long jumper — it includes practice five to six days a week, physical therapy, fueling her body, nightly Epsom salt baths, and facials.

"People love the rewards of what the outcome is, but they don't always enjoy the process," she said. "I know it sounds so superficial, but for me, when I take care of my body, my skin, my health, physically, mentally, emotionally — that's when I feel like I'm at my best."

During her senior year of high school, Bassett knew she needed to pick up a sport or active hobby if she wanted to stay fit and healthy at college. Little did she know, that she — a young woman who didn't know how to swim or ride a bike at the time — would be competing in her very first triathlon just a few months later. It only seems kismet that her first race was the UCLA Iron Bruin Triathlon, hosted by the college she'd be attending that fall. Bassett went on to compete as a triathlete at the international level from 2007 to 2011.

In her American Girl Doll promo video, Bassett revealed she prefers to spend her off-days at the beach — we would, too, if we lived in sunny southern California! — and her favourite emoji is the crying laughing face. "I use it all the time," she laughed while sporting a big smile.