Got Milk: A humbling experience

This week I was invited to the Refuel America Launch by Got Milk, an event to launch NBA player and USA Basketball player Chris Bosh and Apolo Anton Ohno's Got Milk Ads, and to promote the use of low-fat chocolate milk as a post-workout recovery beverage.  Not only is it truly a great post-workout beverage- the event was a lot of fun!  My teammate Jazmine Fenlator and I, drove to her mother's house where we parked my car and then traveled into the city.  Gotta admit- the experience was pretty terrifying!  I went to school in Washington DC and I've traveled all over the world- but the amount of people in New York City at rush house was a little more than I could handle.  Thank goodness Jazmine was there- she knows the city and was a great tour guide.

Anyway, we went down there, did the event, and then had a chance to tour the city.  We had cupcakes at Eleni's and also at Billy's Bakery, hot chocolate at Jaques Torres, and cheesecake at Junior's- obviously I was not on my diet for those few days.  We toured Times Square- and that's when I really began to enjoy the city.

Reflecting on the experience, I realize how humbling it truly was.  Yes, I have achieved much, as an Olympian and as a medalist, but standing next to Apolo Ohno, the most successful Winter Olympian in history, was a truly humbling experience.  In order to win the amount of medals that Apolo has won (8), I would have to continue bobsledding for the next 28 years, make each Olympic team, and win a medal in all of them!  Additionally, Shawn Johnson and Chris Bosh are no slouches either- both have accomplished so much- including Olympic gold medals!  I was not star-struck by any means, I have met many stars, but being around such accomplished athletes makes me realize that I have so much more to accomplish- so much more I want to do as an athlete!  I can't wait to get back on the track and back to work- so I can go after all my goals!  Thanks Apolo, Shawn, and Chris for inspiring me- Push Championships is less than a month away!

It was never about the money

One of the questions I often get asked is how much money do I make bobsledding?  The answer is- not very much- if any at all!  We can win a very small amount in prize money every year, but even that doesn't cover what we spend to compete in the sport.  Even gold medalist Steven Holcomb, who is quickly becoming the face of our sport in the U.S., has said he still has over $40,000 in debt from bobsledding alone!  So why if the financial rewards are so great and the return is very little, do we compete?

Well, when I was 7 years old I made a decision that would alter the rest of my life.  At 7, I decided to become an Olympian.  At the age of 7, I had no concept of money, but I made that decision and I have worked my entire life to get to where I am today.  To me, representing my country means more than the amount of money it takes to get there- it's a once (hopefully more than once in my case) in a lifetime opportunity, to go to the Olympics and fulfill a lifelong dream.  No amount of money can take away from that accomplishment.  No amount of money could be offered to me to take back that memory.  Some things are priceless, and competing for your country on the world's biggest stage is one of those things.  Every moment was priceless and I cherish every bit of it.

So these days I'm working at a burrito shop and trying to be as creative as possible to raise funds for the upcoming season.  Yes, money is tight, and I am still far off my goal, but I know that the ultimate goal of all this cannot be measured in dollar signs.  Although I hope to walk away from bobsled one day fully satisfied and with as little debt as possible, even if I leave with debt, I'll know it was all worth it...

After saying all that- feel free to donate! lol  Paypal button is on the right!  :)

Blog and You Shall Receive!

I blogged about it yesterday, so today when I was doing my multiple throws exercises and actually talking to my teammate Jamie Greubel- I looked down and I found one!  I found a four leaf clover- just looked down and saw it!  Who knew all I would need to do was to blog about finding one and I would!  Something so small but definitely made my week- God works in mysterious ways and uses the smallest things to make you smile- which in turn makes Him smile.  All the things a four leaf clover represents- good luck, good fortune, and hope- God has shown me once again that they are around us all the time!  I'm so happy I can't even put it into words- great day!

Four leaf clovers

Everyday when I'm training (I run every day mind you), I walk by patches and patches of clovers.  Maybe it's just my distraction from the toughness of the workout, but I can't help but look for a four leaf clover.  I like to think I do this because I always want to find the goodness out there- what the four leaf clover stands for- the luck and hope that is carried in a plant that has four leaves instead of three.  The four leaf clover does stand for luck though, and although I am blessed, I still get super excited when I find them.  So I guess for me a four leaf clover not only represents luck and hope, but also happiness- items that we all search for in life.  So what four leaf clovers are you searching for?  What do they represent to you?

Dieting- the new training

Happy August everyone!  Can't believe it's August already- the season is only 2 months away and I'm so excited!  Of course, everyone is busy getting ready for the season, but one part of training you can't forget about is dieting.  Now- dieting doesn't necessarily mean losing weight- dieting as this sense is crucial to training- and as a matter of fact- IS TRAINING!  Whether you have to lose weight (like in my case) or gain weight or just maintain your weight, watching what you eat and making good dietary decision will greatly enhance your performance.  Think of it like a car- every day we're working on the engine- making it stronger and more powerful, but if at the end of the day you put gunk in the gas tank- you're not going to go anywhere!  Dieting is the exact same way!  I struggle greatly with dieting- I love food and I love brownies in particular- but I know that watching what I eat will allow me to reach my goals.  Daily- I have to make my choices very wisely and sometimes its pretty difficult- especially when those around you are eating anything and everything- and when you work in a burrito shop- but I know I'll be at my best when I fuel my body the best, so I'm going to give it premium fuel!  Happy Dieting everyone!

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

I just recently finished reading Mitch Albom's book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven.  I actually picked the book up yesterday at the airport, and finished it earlier today- and for those of you who know how slow of a reader I am- that is quite the accomplishment and should be an indicator about how much I enjoyed this book.  The book was basically about life, how every person on this earth is related- through all the love, sacrifice, pain, and anger.  The book described a different view of heaven, where your life is explained to you by five people.  I enjoyed this view of heaven, as it made you think who would your 5 people be and what would they tell you that would explain why you were here.  I guess the point is you really wouldn't know who your 5 people will be, as you have know way of knowing how many people are affected by your life.  I'd like to believe I have had the opportunity to positively affect many people's life, but truth be told, I have no way of knowing how, who, or even whether it was positive or negative.  The book also offered the main character a calming peace, and I must say I received one after completing this book.  The book reinforces the idea that every life on this earth is precious and no matter how mundane the day-to-day tasks may seem, you never know who's life you're changing.  So go out there and live- but live knowing that your actions affect many others, and that no life on this earth is without purpose.

Empress Magazine

I recently was interviewed for Empress Magazine!  The photograph is by Michael Toles Photography, located in Douglasville, GA.  He did a great job- and so did Empress Magazine!  Here is the link to the article: http://www.empressmag.com/interviews/getting-to-know-elana-myers-2010-olympic-bronze-medalist-of-the-us-bobsled-team

Enjoy!  Thanks for all the support!