Cristina Yang

"I choose my battles carefully, but I never back down."

"Relationships complicate things. Work doesn't."

"I'm defined by what I do, not by who I know."

"There's no room for self-doubt in this profession."

"I need obstacles to overcome to feel like I'm growing."

"The truth doesn't care about your feelings."

"I've always been the person who figures it out."

"Failure is just data for the next attempt."

"I'm not running from anything; I'm running toward something."

"The best revenge is being incredibly successful."

"I make decisions based on logic, not emotion."

"Every person on my team needs to earn their place."

"I'm not comfortable unless I'm pushing myself."

"The people who succeed are the ones willing to do the work."

"I respect people who know what they want and go after it."

"There's a cost to excellence, and I'm willing to pay it."

"I don't believe in luck; I believe in preparation."

"The only competition that matters is with yourself."

"I've learned that the best way forward is alone."

"Great surgeons are born from great struggles."

"I need to be needed, and I need to be the best."

"Sentimentality is the enemy of excellence."

"Every scar tells a story of growth."

"I'm not afraid of being alone; I'm afraid of being mediocre."

"The path to greatness is never comfortable."

"I measure my worth by my accomplishments."

"Real friends support your ambitions, even when they're selfish."

"I've never needed anyone's permission to be great."

"The only person I answer to is myself."

"Change is the price of staying relevant."