Soccer great David Beckham, at age 13 was told: "You'll never play for England, because you're too small and not strong enough." This from another young player who obviously had no idea just how big and strong Becks would become.

Now, all these years later, the superstar says the soccer field is one of his favorite places. It's where he escapes it all.

"There is this madness around me, around my family," says Beckham. "Without a doubt, out on the field is where I'm most comfortable, where I'm happiest, because I know what I'm doing, and I know I can do it."

I know how he feels, in my own small-world kind of way. Whenever madness of any sort descends on me, I run. How about you? Does your sport help you wind down?