On the morning of November 4th, 2020, my life took an unexpected turn. While driving to work, I experienced a seizure due to a previous head injury. This led to a catastrophic accident where I veered off the road, crashing into a large oak tree at 65 mph. I flatlined at the scene, and it took rescuers over two hours to cut me out of my truck. I sustained 20 broken bones, and the trauma didn’t end there. I was rushed home and later learned that I had kneed myself in the face so hard that it broke my jaw and tore my right carotid artery, which caused a stroke. I spent 15 days in a coma.
When I woke up in the hospital, my first thoughts were clear: This isn’t how my career ends. I knew the road to recovery would be long and arduous, but I saw it as a second chance at life. It took three years of relentless effort from my accident lawyer, who called my car insurance daily, to finally have my case deemed catastrophic, allowing me to begin the rehabilitation process.
Despite the grim circumstances, I found myself more positive than I had ever been before the accident. This time away from my bike gave me an opportunity to reflect, to grow in faith, and to work on my resilience. The challenges I faced and continue to face have built a strength in me that I never knew I had.
My faith in God was my anchor during those dark times. When I felt like I had nothing left, I leaned into my relationship with Him. I prayed for strength, for healing, and for the courage to keep going. And every time I did, I felt His presence guiding me, giving me the hope I needed to push through. I realized that God had a purpose for me, even in the midst of my suffering.
Now, with over 3.5 years of reflection behind me, I have new goals and aspirations that fuel my journey. My accident, though devastating, has given me a clarity and purpose I lacked before. I am now more determined than ever to push through and achieve my dreams, including a goal to compete in my first Olympics within the next 4.5 years.
There is hope, even in the darkest times. Falling down is inevitable, but the rewards of getting back up are immeasurable. My relationship with God has grown deeper through this experience, and I know that with His guidance, I can overcome any obstacle. Never give up. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about embracing the struggle, trusting in God’s plan, and finding strength in the journey.
