Where to begin…It’s April2022 and I have managed to escape the worst winter in years back home in Toronto! For those of you that have followed the journey over the past few years, you know that I love snowbirding down in Tucson, Arizona!
Covid not only ruined the past couple years of everyone’s life but it stopped me from traveling down to get in some quality training. Not only training but it ruined the entire 2020 Paralympics.
Back in Canada there were no qualifications and who knows if I would’ve qualified but to not even have the chance was probably the worst part. Deep down it was probably a blessing in disguise. This sport is more expensive than one can believe and challenging on the easiest of days. Because of my hard work and “dedication” I was noticed/recruited a couple of years ago while racing down here in Arizona.
Initially I wanted nothing to do with school and more work than I was already doing but to have my story come full circle was a blessing and an opportunity that only a dumbass would pass up. After my entire first year online in my apartment, sitting at a desk staring at my computer, I am officially a U OF A WILDCAT! #BEARDOWN
I wish I could say it’s been an easy transition down here but it’s actually been the exact opposite. I won’t go into details yet because I think this could be a Netflix limited series but so far I have made 2 trips to Nogales (which is in Mexico), been in secondary at the US and Mexico borders, 2 trips to Phoenix (1.75hrs north of Tucson), 1 road race, 2 time trials and 2 crits. I have done more here in the past 3 months than in the past 2.5 years. It has been a crazy difficult transition down here this year but needless to say I am feeling truly blessed to be living my dream!
BTW what do you think of the new website?!!?!!? This was not an easy task. I am just very fortunate to continue to run into good people who are willing to help me out on my journey to…wherever I am going! Life is just one of those things that no matter how much you plan and prepare, inevitably something will go wrong and when it does then life will kick you in the teeth. That’s kind of what the transition down here has been like.
Nothing in life worth anything will ever come easy and if it does, count your blessings and move on quickly. lol Covid has made it that much worse because of the travel restrictions imposed. Leaving everyone and everything I know back home always sucks. Not being able to freely travel when I need to or want to is quite frustrating as I’m sure a lot of you have experienced. I am trying to keep my eye on the prize and remember how good I have it down here living the dream while everyone at home is learning to build igloos out of all the snow they have had this winter.. I do feel sorry for them but in my opinion everyone I know just needs to move down here lol
Besides that I do have good news! My numbers on the bike are all up! I have never been as strong as I am now. Leading up to the 2024 games in Paris things will be extremely tough. Being a realist and seeing where I am at now, everything needs to work perfectly for me to have a chance in making it to the games. It’s not only the money but the speed and performances that need to come together. Unfortunately I cannot do it on my own. I have been trying and if I were running a business I would be in the red and probably closed down by the end of the year. Cycling does not pay you, in Canada we still don’t get pay for winning a medal at the Paralympic games. I am not on the National team and receive no support for training, nutrition, strength and conditioning, coaching, travel, massage, thank God my Chiro is sponsored! Thanks Doctor Liberty! Unfortunately she’s back in Toronto and I have no access to her!
What I am saying here at the end of the day is that in order for me to even have a chance, I need your help! I’ve made the necessary moves and sacrifices to make sure that I am in the optimal environment to continue making gains and getting stronger but as they say, it takes a village! It’s time to put our heads down and get to work!
#livingthedream #training #grinding #sponsors needed
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