In an Olympic year it's only fitting that Peggy Fleming is back in the news. Fleming won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating in 1968, and since then has been one of the most beloved icons in the sports world.

Fleming's also long been outspoken about the need for women to do breast self-exams after her breast cancer diagnosis in 1998. Now Fleming has teamed up with Healthsaver (www.healthsaver.com) to urge people to consider the health benefits of organic foods. It's part of how she lives her life, and she's living proof that you can still be fit and fabulous at age 60.

When Peggy Fleming won the Gold Medal at the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France, it represented more than just a personal career milestone for the 19-year-old skater. It was also the rebirth of competitive figure skating in the United States. In 1961, the entire U.S. Figure Skating Team was killed in a plane crash while en route to the World Figure Skating Championship. Fleming's coach was among the casualties. Fleming persevered through her grief, continuing her training and keeping her focus, and it paid off when she became the only American athlete to bring home the gold in 1968.

This was the first time the Winter Olympics had been broadcast in color, and the image of this poised, graceful young woman, seeming almost to dance on her skates, captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world. Within a few months, Fleming was a certified celebrity, appearing on TV specials and in commercials. Eventually, she branched out to more traditional television spots, guest-starring on shows like Diagnosis Murder and Newhart. She never gave up skating completely, but it eventually took a back burner to her other projects.

"I only skate occasionally for personal parties with the family or for commercials," Fleming says. "I did work for ABC Sports as a commentator for figure skating for 28 years and I still love the sport very much."

Two years after winning the gold medal, Fleming married Dr. Greg Jenkins, himself a former ice dancer, and they had two sons, Andy, now 31, and Todd, now 20. They also have three grandchildren. She and her husband own and operate Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery in Los Gatos on land they've owned for 30 years. Dr. Jenkins is the winemaker.

Although skating is no longer a major part of Fleming's life, she hasn't given up on exercise. She runs, lifts weights and practices yoga regularly. Fleming has stuck to a fairly strict diet and exercise regimen since she first became a serious athlete at age 9, and she has continued that philosophy throughout her life and with her own children and grandchildren.

"I've always believed in having a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits, vegetables and a variety of meats," Fleming says. "This was the same kind of diet I grew up on while I was skating and training for the Olympics back in the '60s."

She still feeds her family that way, enjoying fresh fish, chicken, pork and, occasionally, steaks, along with locally grown produce such as artichokes and brocollini. All are available to her at the farmers' market in downtown Los Gatos. The fact that Fleming is a farmer herself just reinforces the importance of fresh, high-quality foods.

When she can't find organic produce, Fleming says she washes what she does have as thoroughly as possible. She's also more careful about other products she purchases.

"One change I have made is that I'm much more aware of trans-fats and am careful about reading the labels on processed foods," Fleming says. "Knowing what goes into the making of the food you eat is much harder today because hardly anyone knows how to even pronounce the names of some of the 'ingredients' on the label. We need to get back to the basics of feeding our families truly healthy foods."

Fleming says that she feels good eating habits are essential to maintaining overall health and fitness. "If we could think of food as fuel for our bodies, we probably would all eat differently," she says. "A healthy lifestyle is something you practice every day. It's not a fad diet or structured program. It's your life and it's your choice. You have the power."

One of Fleming's favorite roles in life now is being a spokesperson for good health habits. She cites her bout with breast cancer as a warning that no one is immune, and that regular health checks can make a difference.

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, I was extremely healthy, never missed any doctor's appointment and even had a mammogram and checkup five months earlier," Fleming says. "I found the lump myself and two weeks later brought it to the attention of my doctor."

Fleming feels grateful for her good health and is happy that she can bring awareness to other women about all the health issues facing them today.