Changing coaches

As my summer training begins, I have begun working with a new strength and conditioning coach.  I previously worked with Dan Pfaff and Stu McMillan, two great coaches who greatly attributed to my success the last two seasons- including winning my Olympic medal- a feat which I couldn't have done without them.  I greatly appreciated the time spent with these two coaches and can't say enough great things about them.

So why switch?  Unfortunately for me, Dan Pfaff was hired as a coach for the Great Britain National team for track and field team in preparation for London, and took Stu McMillan with him.  Last season I was able to continue working with Stu, however, it was difficult not being able to see a coach on a regular basis.  My form for many exercises, including running and lifting, is not very good and needs constant monitoring.  Without a coach by my side, my form breaks down which results in less power, speed, and strength at the end of the day.  Despite my best efforts, this season was difficult without having that coach available.  So, it is with great sadness that I had to discontinue working with Stu.

Although I knew I needed a change, I was unsure of what to do.  At the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, they had just hired Brad DeWeese, and I needed to make a decision of where I was going to train.  After just a week of speaking with Brad and working with him, I was hooked and decided I was going to commit to train with him this summer.  Brad DeWeese is extremely knowledgeable and has a very scientific approach to every aspect of training.  He breaks down every aspect of training and also works to train athletes not only to be better on the field, but also smarter- to be able to understand why they train the way they do.

I have switched coaches more than anyone possibly in the history of athletics.  Every season for summer travel softball growing up I played for a different team.  My high school basketball team had 3 different coaches in 4 years, softball had 2 different coaches, and track also had two different coaches.  My college softball team had 4 coaches in my 5 years of playing (why I had 5 years is because one of those coaches) and even my professional softball team had 2 coaches in one season!  I've already had a few coaches with bobsled, and with the recent job posting for a women's bobsled coach- it appears that I'll have one more!  Every time you get a new coach its a process to learn what the coach is like, what they coach like, and how it will affect performance and everything else.  It's a learning process on both sides.  Coaches are supposed to be people that you can trust to lead you in the right direction, to motivate you to do better- to be greater.  And all of this requires a mutual trust, but it's very difficult to trust when coaches constantly move in and out of your life...

So how do you trust someone you don't know...well- there is no simple answer to that.  For me, I don't have to trust a coach because I trust God- and that's enough.  I use that trust I have in God to help me through the transition in coaching- the constant transitioning as it seems.  Other than that, trusting a new coach is difficult- but at some point you have to believe they have your best interest.  Coaches don't receive all of your trust instantly, but once they show that they are really truly invested in the best interest of the team or yourself as an individual athlete, at some point you must take a leap of faith and trust them.  No one said it was easy though...

I have chosen to trust Brad DeWeese with my strength and conditioning.  I know that he will prepare me as best he is able for the upcoming season- and really that's all I can ask from any coach.  I've been working with him for less than a week now, but I know things are moving in the right direction.

Graduation!

After 5 long years of studying, I have finally graduated from the George Washington University with a Master's in Tourism Administration, with a concentration in sports management.  I started working on my graduate degree in January of 2006, right after I graduated from GW as an undergrad.  I was still on scholarship playing softball, and started working on a master's in clinical exercise physiology.  I loved studying exercise physiology, but at that time I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life (I'm still not- other than bobsled! lol).  I completed a year of studies and decided it wasn't for me, and then transfered into the GW School of Business to pursue the MTA.  I took one semester of courses and decided that too wasn't for me, and finished the semester and went on to focus on playing professional softball that summer.

Well- summer came and went and I was feeling burned out from softball so decided to start pursuing my dream of going to med school.  I enrolled at Georgia State University to complete a Master's in Exercise Science and also prepare for med school.  I had a graduate assistant position, and things were going well, but then I got the itch to compete again- which is exactly when I went up to Lake Placid for my first bobsled tryout.  Needless to say, I didn't stay at Georgia State.

After my first half of bobsled, I decided I needed a business background for my athletic career.  GW had a sports management concentration in the MTA program, so I decided to transfer back to the program and continue my studies online.  Ever since then, I have been working hard at completing this degree.

It's been a long road and I feel like I've been in school forever!  (Well- my whole life really!)  I feel a sense of relief that I am finally done, but I don't really feel like I even have it.  Maybe it will feel different when I get the sheet of paper that states my degree, maybe not.  All I know is that I have finally completed my goal of getting my master's degree.  What this means for the future?  Who knows, but I think I have some time to figure it out.  For now, I'm going to read because I want to- and not read a textbook!

I'll never stop learning, but I can't say I'm sad to take a break from taking tests and writing essays lol

To all my fellow 2011 grads- Congrats!  We did it!

Off Season Craziness

So my off-season runs a total of about 5 weeks- from the last race in April until the middle of May.  I have been home for the entire off-season, and so far it's been crazy!  I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off- not too much down time.  I haven't been making as many appearances as normal, but I've been trying to do more volunteer activities.  I've had the great fortune to increase my work with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a great organization operated by some great folks.  I've volunteered at the hospital to create Easter decorations with the children, as well as become more involved with Transplant services.  I will work more with Transplant services in the future, and I'm very excited about the opportunity.  I will also be running the Fiesta 5k (que) race this weekend at Centennial Olympic Park, which is beyond my athletic ability (I have no cardio), but I'm still excited about it anyway.  Join me and register online here: http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens/Events/Fiesta-Atlanta-5-Que   

Other than increasing my volunteer activities, I've had the opportunity to try some different activities myself.  I learned how to rock climb at Atlanta Rocks- I learned how to belay and tie knots and everything, and even support other climbers.  Rock climbing is very physically demanding- and a great workout and a lot of fun!  

I also have tried kickboxing, another great workout and a lot of fun!  The workout was quite physically demanding- and I was over the cardio side of it, but I enjoyed kicking and punching the bag.  I definitely could see myself doing more of this post-bobsled.  If you haven't tried it- I highly recommend it.  

I also dusted off my basketball shoes and hit the court again.  I try to shoot every once in a while, and forgot how relaxing it is.  My shot came back- which only made me want to shoot even more.  

What else have I done?  Taken advantage of this opportunity to spend as much time with my sisters and family as possible!  I truly love them and I don't get to spend much time with them, so I've tried to do as much with them as possible.  We've been to a Georgia Force game (courtesy of Sam Crenshaw- thank you!), Old School Saturday, and other events- it's been great!

So I've got a week and a half left of the off-season...can't wait to see what happens!

Dancing

God did not bless me with the ability to dance!  I like to think I have some rhythm, but all my life I've been told I'm stiff- I need to loosen up.  I even competed in a dance group when I was younger, but it took me the longest to learn all the dance steps and I was always positioned behind the better dancers, and I'm pretty sure I still made a complete fool of myself.  Despite the fact that I will never be on So You Think You Can Dance, I love dancing!  Funny statement for someone to make right?  I'm awful yet I enjoy it tremendously.  When I was younger I was super self-conscious about my dancing.  I dreaded school dances and I didn't want to dance with any of the boys for fear of making a complete fool of myself.  It's one of the few areas of my life that I have completely no confidence.  I still get self-conscious sometimes about dancing and I get anxious when too many people get around me on the dance floor, which makes my already horrible moves worse.  Yet, I still dance!  Why?  Because dancing for me isn't about being the best, it's about overcoming my anxiety and yes- my awkwardness (although if you know me, you know that I will always be awkward- it's unavoidable).  Dancing for me is about stepping outside my comfort zone, and having a good time despite not being the best.  Hard lesson for athletes and competitive people to learn- you don't always have to be the best.  Especially hard for me to learn- and I'm super competitive and all of my friends are great dancers (my great friend and bobsled teammate Jazmine even tried out for Broadway!)- and these are the people I'm surrounded by on the dance floor!

Another part of dancing for me is overcoming my fear of looking foolish.  Often in life we are put in situations where doing the right thing seems foolish.  When faced with these choices, it's this fear that can prevent us from doing the right thing.  Facing this fear though, often reaps more reward than ever imaginable.  For me, dancing provides me with the opportunity to face the fear of looking foolish every time I step on the dance floor.  I won't lie, there are times were I am completely petrified to step on the floor, knowing there are great dancers and that some of them will inevitably judge me and my lack of dancing ability.  However, I step out on the floor anyways.  If I can face my fear of looking foolish on the dance floor, then I can face my fear of looking foolish in other areas of my life.  Most of the time, when I face this fear I have more fun dancing with my friends that I could have ever imagined- which sure beats sitting on the sideline looking cute!

I may never win a dance contest or be on Broadway, but that won't keep me from dancing!  Facing the fear makes the reward so much sweeter, and for that- I'll just keep on dancing!

So on that note, take a look at the dance Jazmine and I are going to attempt to learn this summer (she'll probably have it down pact, and I'll probably dance behind her lol):

I'll be sure to post videos after we learn it!  Happy Dancing!

2nd Place

Here's what Versus has to say about second place, and I agree!  Striving every day for the GOLD!

Spirit of Panama

The nation of Panama is in the process of creating a bobsled team.  My family comes from the city of Colón, Panama, so I was super excited to meet these gentlemen in Lake Placid.  They are dedicated and determined to bring bobsledding to their home nation and to make 2014.  For me, it's exciting to see the sport expand and even more so to the country of my family.  Cheer them on as the go for Sochi 2014!

Season Wrap-Up

So the season has officially ended and it was quite the interesting season!  Driving is so much fun and I am so happy that I made the switch!  Although I am still a new driver and it is early, I'm hoping the switch is permanent and I never again have to return to the back of the sled.  The season was full of some successes, some struggles, and a lot of lessons.  One of the best things about driving is that now I'm the captain of my team- each brakeman I've slid with is now a part of Team Meyers!  With the creation of Team Meyers comes the added pressure for good results and added expenses for purchasing equipment, but I'm more than willing to deal with those issues in order to drive a bobsled.  The feeling of controlling a sled while going 70-85mph down an icy hill is amazing and I'm in love with it!

This season really made me appreciate brakeman.  I have raced with many brakeman, and I greatly appreciate all the brakeman I have raced with.  Thank you to Katie Stoever, Katelyn Kelly, JennaBree Brown, Kristi Koplin, Emily Azevedo, Jamie Greubel, and Hillary Werth- it was a pleasure to race with you!  Also, thank you to all the other brakeman who took trips with me, so that I may be able to hone my driving skills and become a better pilot; so thank you Brittany Reinbolt, Tara Stephenson, Valerie Smith, Kelli Ehardt, Meighan Stevens, Lauren Spiers, Sineaid Corely, Jack Malleo, Jackie Higgins, Shea Robinson, Ketty Cornemann, Jessica Penta, Emily Weinberg, and Maggie Decell.  I look forward to sliding with those who return to bobsled, and wish those who are not the best of luck.

The season was a whirlwind- I went back and forth to Europe three times!  I learned so much about the sport and had a great time meeting new people and getting closer to people I've known for years.  I'm saddened about the retirement of Erin Pac, Shauna Rohbock, and Valerie Fleming, but I'm hopeful for the future and the team we will re-build with their departure- although they will be difficult to replace!

The season was highlighted by our 9th place finish in World Championships- a huge accomplishment to finish in the top 10 in my first World Championships as a pilot, especially on a new German track.  It was made greater after I had crashed the first run of my training, and the fact that I was beat some great pilots and even some Olympians.  Other highlights including a SILVER medal at the Jr. World Championships- a close race that was deservedly won by Paula Walker of Great Britain, racing 3 World Cup races and finishing top 12 in all of them- including a 6th place finish in Lake Placid, finishing 2nd overall in the America's Cup circuit with GOLD at the Calgary America's Cup and SILVER at the Lake Placid America's Cup, and finishing the season with a world ranking of #13!  Like I said, it's been quite a year!

I'm happy to have the opportunity to return home and take some time off, but I can't afford to take much!  Next season will be very competitive to even make the US squad- we've got 4 great pilots returning- and the competition is always fierce!  Internationally, everyone is prepping for Sochi 2014, so each year will get more and more competitive so it will be a great challenge to increase my world ranking.  We host World Championships in 2012 in Lake Placid- so the goal will be to medal there, and with a great brakeman and if I continue to improve my driving skills- I know it's possible!

In the meantime, we're always looking for new brakeman- both men and women and will be holding recruitment camps throughout the year.  If you're interested, please visit http://www.bobsled.teamusa.org/recruitment for more information and http://www.bobsled.teamusa.org/events for all the camp listings.

Thanks to everyone who made this season amazing!  Each and everyone of you- fans, friends, family, medical staff, coaches, staff, etc made this season great.  I am blessed to be surrounded by great people- and you are truly what makes going for an Olympic dream worth all the sacrifices.  I love you all.

Here's to the 2010-2011 season!  Onto the next one!