Mets veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon took a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.

Q: What is the secret of your success at age 42?

A: I take the game seriously, I love the game, I work hard in the offseason, and I want to win as badly now as when I was 20.

Q: Where does your confidence come from?

A: Just experience, I don’t stress. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I know every outing is not perfect, but I always put it out of my mind after it’s happened.

Q: How is it different playing in New York and why do you like it?

A: I love the energy, the people, I enjoy pitching in front of big crowds.

Q: Do you wish you could throw in the high 90s like you did when you were young?

A: I have more experience now. I know more now than I did back then, so I feel good about where I am now.

Q: Why have you performed well in big games?

A: I stay relaxed. I enjoy myself, and I don’t let the pressure make me nervous. I always give 100 percent, that’s all anybody can do.

Q: What are your personal goals for this season? All-Star Game?

A: My main goal is helping the Mets to win. That’s what they brought me here for, and I just focus on doing that job.

Q: What impresses you about Matt Harvey? How would you describe his mentality on the mound?

A: When I see Matt Harvey, I see someone who never wants to give up a hit. He is focused and aggressive on the mound. When a guy from the opposing team is in scoring position, you can see the look in his eye, like he’s going to make sure that guy doesn’t score.

Q: What impresses you about Jacob deGrom? How is he different than Harvey?

A: He’s more quiet than Matt, but he is just as competitive and wants to win just as badly. He is a bulldog just like Matt is, and he has a great personality.

Q: What impresses you about Noah Syndergaard?

A: Just his physical talents. He could play football! It’s exciting for me to be on a staff with these young talented pitchers.

Q: Juan Lagares playing center field …

A: One of the best at that position.

Q: Before your 2011 stem-cell procedure for an elbow problem, how scared were you that your career might be over?

A: I was afraid that it was over. I went into the surgery without knowing what to expect, but I was willing to try anything.

Q: What postseason performance are you most proud of?

A: In my second year in the big leagues, I pitched a complete game, four-hitter against the Yankees. That was a pretty cool experience. [beating the Yankees, 6-1, in Game 3 of the 1998 ALCS] .

Q: What was your life like while you were suspended for 50 games while with the A’s in 2012 after testing positive for testosterone?

A: It was embarrassing and I didn’t like disappointing my family and teammates. I spent a lot of time with my family.

Q: Your teammates say you’re fun to watch. Why do you think you’re fun to watch?

A: Because I compete as hard as I can but I enjoy what I’m doing, I have fun. I also like to joke around with my teammates.

Q: What do you do to loosen teammates up and to have fun with them?

A: We enjoy the time we spend together, and we laugh a lot. We have a great young pitching staff, and I’m always glad to talk with them and share from my experiences and what I have learned in my time.

Q: The foam roller, why do you use that?

A: My teammates get a kick out of it. It’s just my way to have a little fun before my start. It’s funny sneaking up on people when they’re not looking.

Q: Did any team or manager ever ask you to lose weight? Did you ever think you needed to lose weight or have you always been comfortable at your current weight?

A: I’ve always worked hard to do my job well, and everyone has always let me be myself.

Q: What are the two toughest losses you experienced?

A: I don’t like to dwell on losses, bad innings. When I come in the next day, I’ve made sure to forget all about the previous day because you can’t change it.

Q: Best baseball moment?

A: Winning the Cy Young in 2005 [while with the Angels].

Q: What did that mean to you?

A: That’s the highest award as a pitcher, and I worked really hard for that.

Q: Why do they call you El Gato, which means “the cat”?

A: Because I’m fast and quick on the mound, and I field everything.

Q: How hungry are you to win a championship? Do you feel emptiness because you haven’t won one?

A: I think this is a great team. We can do great things. I’m happy just doing something I enjoy so much.

Q: How good can this Mets team be?

A: This team can do great things. It is an excellent group of guys.

Q: You played with Alex Rodriguez with the Yankees in 2011. How was he as a teammate?

A: Hands down, that is the best guy. That’s all I can say. The best.

Q: A story about Mariano Rivera.

A: Mariano, I can’t even tell you how much I learned from him. He just taught me so many little things that I’ve kept with me throughout my career.

Q: A story about Derek Jeter.

A: Just another great guy that I enjoyed playing with. Another teammate who I just learned from.

Q: What influence did Pedro Martinez have on you?

A: Pedro is just great. He’s someone who I really admire. He’s someone who I learned a lot from.

Q: How much longer do you want to pitch?

A: For as long as possible if I’m enjoying myself and still doing a good job. I love to compete and I love going out on the field and being around my teammates.

Q: What do you want to do when your baseball career is over?

A: Spend time with my family and spend time back in the Dominican Republic and help kids there try and make it to the Major Leagues one day.

Q: Growing up, were there things you wanted for Christmas but couldn’t have?

A: We had a big family, and I helped my dad out on the coffee fields to help support our family, so I was always very aware. I was happy with all my siblings.

Q: What did you use for a glove and bases growing up, and what were the fields like?

A: We used to play on an abandoned, private lot in my hometown of Copey de Altamira. Those were fun times. That lot is now home to a stadium I built for my community. It makes me happy to see a new generation of kids playing there.

Q: Favorite childhood memories?

A: Spending time with my parents and all of my siblings. I have a lot of sisters.

Q: Why did you used to climb trees?

A: I climbed them for a good reason. I was great at climbing up them and getting food like avocados.

Q: Boyhood idol?

A: Nolan Ryan, for his powerful fastballs, and Juan Marichal, for his durability.

Q: Pregame meal?

A: Peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Q: Superstition?

A: Four pieces of bubble gum.

Q: First All-Star Game memory?

A: Barry Bonds’ home run [in 1998].

Q: Why doesn’t Mets manager Terry Collins bat you eighth? Is hitting fun?

A: I love to hit and that’s his decision.

Q: How did baseball begin for you?

A: With my dad [Miguel Balerio Colon] always backing me up. He taught me to respect and respect the game.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: Hipolito Mejia, Leonel Fernandez [both former Dominican presidents], my teammates.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Any comedy. “Cantinflas.”

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Ace Ventura [Jim Carrey].

Q: Favorite actress?

A: Kate del Castillo.

Q: What drives you?

A: My family and my kids and wife.

Q: What would you want Mets fans and teammates to say about you?

A: That I’m giving them everything I have as a teammate, a winner, a positive, happy guy who believes in them like I believe in me.