I asked Winter Olympics athletes to send me pictures of their scars. I wanted to see the physical price they have paid for their dreams and the consequences of their pursuits of greatness.

I wanted to know more once I started receiving them. I responded with interview questions about which injuries were the worst, and how they viewed the scars those injuries left behind, either from the original mishap or subsequent surgeries. I wanted to know whether they saw the wounds as things to be ashamed of and, if possible, eventually erased.

My fascination with scars stems from my belief of the body as an integral part of the miracle of human beings. The body, to me, is not a shell a person is trapped in. I see the body and mind as inseparable and do not put the mind as the greater of the two. The body is neither inferior nor a limitation. It is necessary and equally glorious.

In Dante’s Inferno, those who commit suicide reside in the seventh circle of hell, the rationale being that the human body is divine, and suicides treat the body as something wholly material, something that can be discarded. These doomed souls take the form of trees that bleed, trapped now in a material shell, never to be reunited with their actual bodies again.

It’s not the suicides being punished that is important, rather the notion behind the punishment: The body is not to be looked down upon. The body is as vital to the human as the soul. A person is not complete without it.

The divinity of the body doesn’t mean it should be treated as a temple, sterilized from the world. The athletic life gives the body the respect and attention it deserves, while also using it as a tool, something pushed and molded for whatever work the athlete does.

Even with the best conditions, this constant pushing of limits puts the body in danger. It will twist, tear, and break. It will be destroyed and rebuilt and scars will stand as evidence of those athletic endeavors. They are stories on the body.

To learn more about all athletes, visit teamusa.org. The live Winter Olympics begin Feb 8.

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Devin Logan

Sport: Freestyle Skiing

Event(s): Halfpipe, slopestyle

Olympic Experience:

• Two-time Olympian (2014, 2018); Olympic medalist (silver)
• Sochi 2014, silver (slopestyle)

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

What was your first major sports injury?

My first major injury was a big one. It was the summer of 2011 going into the 2012 season I was in New Zealand training. I hit a jump and over-rotated a cork 720, a trick I do all the time. I ended up landing straight legged and felt an internal pop throughout my body. After flying back to America and getting an MRI I found out I had torn my ACL, meniscus, and had two micro fractures in my knee. Coming off the best season of my career, it was just like my life flashed before my eyes. I saw my season slip away from me. In our sport of free-skiing it is not if it happens, it is just when it happens.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I have had countless injuries throughout my whole life. Broken bones, sprains, and surgeries. I wouldn’t say the injuries get easier because it is always a hard time dealing with an injury that takes you out of something you love, but I would say injuries make you smarter. They make you smarter with how you train to come back and smarter with knowing what is best for you. You start to know yourself and body better and that’s the greatest thing to take away from injuries because things that work for you may not work for others.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

Of course! The amount of time you put in to rehab and the amount of pain you go through to get better really makes you think. When you are going all in to rehab and not seeing results as quickly as you would like — makes you wonder, Is it worth it? Also, the initial pain you go through after surgery not being able to walk without crutches makes you think, Do I really want to go through this again? You can’t think like that though, because once you get back to the sport you love all that pain goes away. You have to know there is always that risk of injuries, but if you only focus on that after coming back you will always have that fear.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been, or more of a triumphant thing?

I see my scars as a story. It’s a reminder for all the hard work I put in to come back and, most importantly, it is a reminder to continue to still work hard. I see my scar and know how much commitment I put into coming back to skiing and I don’t want to go through that again, so the scar reminds me to keep working my butt off in the gym when I am healthy so I can remain healthy throughout the season.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

Growing up I was that kid who picked their scabs and my mom would tell me it would scar, but I kind of like it because I think scars tell stories and it is always a reminder.

Are there big injuries you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

It always seem like the smallest injuries are the ones that linger the longest and, of course, no scars to prove it. I tend to roll my ankles more than I would like. Also taking falls on the slopes that leave the worst muscle soreness.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to a regular person?

I feel like an athlete knows more boundaries to their body than a regular person. As athletes we get back up and do the same things that originally put us out, where a non-athlete may just stop the activity that hurt them. Personally, my injuries from my sport scare the shit out of me, but the feeling of landing that run override all the pain that it has put me through.

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Ashley Caldwell

Sport: Freestyle Skiing

Event(s): Aerials

Olympic Experience:

• Three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018)
• Sochi 2014, 10th (aerials)
• Vancouver 2010, 10th (aerials)

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

What was your first major sports injury?

My first major sports injury was an ACL tear to my right leg Dec. 22, 2011. I did it during a competition. I was really sick that day but wanted to push through being sick and show I was tough. I had surgery two weeks later. It was a challenging injury because I was disappointed in myself for not listening to my teammates and coaches about being smart with how you train and compete. It takes about six months to recover from ACL surgery and get back to skiing. As a professional athlete you know that injuries are a part of sport, but until you get injured you think its always just something that happens to other people, not you. One of the most helpful things I remembered throughout my recovery process was that I met Hannah Kearney during her ACL recovery period and I watched her win Team USA’s first gold medal in the Vancouver Olympics. I kept in mind that if she could come back strong and win gold, then there was no reason I shouldn’t expect the same.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I have torn both my left and right ACLs, my UCL in my left elbow, had a few concussions, and herniated a disc in my neck. The second ACL surgery I had was exactly 364 days after my first ACL injury. I had come back stronger than I ever was before, I was healthy, I was training smarter, but I took a weird fall and all the sudden was back in the exact same Groundhog Day year. I had to keep telling myself that I had gotten both of my ACL enhanced and I knew how to do rehab and could come back stronger once again. Injuries don’t get easier. You train your body and your mind to be the best it can be and when an injury presents itself you feel as though your body betrayed you. That all the hard work, dedication and care you took to be a professional athlete was wasted because your body didn’t quite want to do it or couldn’t handle it. It’s always devastating, but also gives you an opportunity to grow as a person and an athlete.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

There are definitely moments of doubt in almost all of my injuries. I do a pretty scary sport and when you get injured, that scariness increases. If you are scared, in pain, and unsuccessful, you are bound to have doubts about your career. “Why do I do this? This isn’t worth it.” That is the common response. But, if you can come out of those injuries you can affirm your passion and drive to be successful and dedicated.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

I do sometimes look at my knee scars and say “If only I hadn’t ...” or “What if I didn’t?” Ever since I started doing aerial skiing I wanted to be as good as the boys. At the time I made that commitment and goal I was actually better than most of the boys my age. And I stayed on that path for a few years, up until my first ACL tear. Then the boys started passing me by. Then another ACL tear came and went, and I was way behind the boys my age. It was difficult to see that, but it also fueled my rehab and my training. I’ve changed my mentality since those ACL surgeries; now I say I want to be MY best. It didn’t matter if I was a boy or a girl, I wanted to see how far I could push myself in this sport, without gender reins.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

Yup! Part of scar management and taking care of your injuries actually helps the scar fade. But I do have an embarrassing scar on my left hip from falling on the smallest jump on the water ramp jumps we train on in the summertime. I was already competing triple backflips at the time, so I was goofing off with my teammates and fell on the small jump. Super embarrassing so I used a lot of scar cream to try and get that to go away.

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

I herniated a disc in my neck a few years ago. It didn’t leave a scar because I chose to take six months off and not get surgery. It’s been one of the scariest and most difficult injuries I have dealt with. I still deal with this injury. It’s a hard injury to manage because the science of spinal injuries isn’t exact.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

I use my body as a means to do what I love and be the best at something. Kind of like a sports car, you have to fuel it right, have to fix it when you crash it, you like to test its limits, you can get it upgraded. and if you don’t treat it well you won’t get as much use out of it before you need to retire it. But also a couple scratches and dings don’t keep it from going fast and getting you where you want to go.

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Mike Schultz

Event(s): Snowboard-cross, Banked Slalom

Classification: SB-LL1

World Championship Experience:

• Most recent: 2017 – silver (banked slalom), 4th (snowboard-cross)

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

What was your first major sports injury?

I’ve had several broken bones and sprains throughout my career but the one that really changed things was when I wrecked in 2008 during a Pro Snocross competition. I was thrown from my machine and landed on my left leg and caused a 180 degree hyperextension of my knee joint. It caused a compound fracture and severed a major artery and nerve that supplied my lower leg. We tried to fix it but ran into several complications which made me extremely sick. It was apparent that basically in order for me to survive, we needed to amputate my left leg above the knee. It was a life changing injury that put an end to my professional Snocross racing career. I was living my dream as a professional athlete and then hearing from the doctors that my leg needed to be amputated was something I’ll never forget. For a while, I thought my competition days were over, but a few months later after healing up, learning to walk on a prosthetic leg, I was ready to start moving forward with riding and racing again. I just had to figure out how it would work ‘mechanically’. That following spring I started designing my new prosthetic leg called the Moto Knee to get me back on the motocross bike and started focusing on new goals, new goals in adaptive sports. I ended up winning a silver medal at the Summer X Games Adaptive Supercross seven months after my injury — on a leg that I built. There were obviously some extremely difficult days mentally and physically during that period (and even to this day) but when I have those, I always trying and focus forward on one of my many goals.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I don’t really keep track of the number since I really try not to think about it, but it’s well over a dozen significant injuries like broken bones and torn muscles/ligaments since my competitive career started. It is definitely easier to deal with injuries on the mental side after you’ve had a few of them, since you are aware of the recovery process. For the most part, if you’re willing to work hard enough you can recover from most injuries. Having that mentality really helps you keep moving forward.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

This thought has come through my mind after a couple major injuries like the injury that caused the amputation of my left leg and then a few years later when I crushed my right heel. That heel fracture was the toughest injury I’ve had to recover from mentally and physically since it caused so much pain and loss of motion in my only foot. There was about a year and half after that I questioned if I wanted to/could move forward toward my next goal of competing at the 2018 Paralympics (snowboarding-Boardercross). However, the thought of representing my country and competing with the best of the best in my sport/class outweighed the thought of not wanting to continue. I love to compete and love seeing how far I can go, my true motivation is the challenge of it all.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

I always say it’s our experiences that shape us into the people we are and scars are definitely part of those experiences. I’ve had a couple major injuries happen during competitions or at the beginning of a big season that are hard to think about ‘what could have been’. When I had my knee injury that caused my amputation, it was at the beginning of a new season. I was very motivated and was looking forward to having a great season that (in my mind) could have been a huge year for my career. Unfortunately, that was the last professional race I was able to compete in, it was the end of my ‘pro’ career. Dec. 13th, 2008. It sure is hard to think about what could have happened with the rest of my race career. Instead of letting it beat me down, I accepted that I’m physically unable to do some of the things I could before and focus on what I can do with what I have. I feel I have made the very most of my situation since that major injury happened.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

Scars are my life tattoos. I’m not interested in trying to erase those unless it causes a functional problem.

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

I’ve compressed some discs/vertebrae and tweaked a handful of other muscles and ligaments that will be felt for the rest of my days. But the majority of them have happened while I’m making the most of life and thinking about that, takes some of that pain away.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed the regular person?

A true athlete takes care of their body, physical and mentally, and they understand the mechanics of how their body works. They rest when they need to, put the right fuel in, exercise like they should and recover/rehab the way they should. Then see how far they can push themselves in the game they love. And do it all over again. It truly is a full-circle process. The general population doesn’t really understand how to take care of their body, and get the most out of it, or know what their true potential is and could be. A lot of people only see the end product or result, either the injuries or the wins. But there is so much more to it than the results, it’s the passion, the hard work and dedication to try and be the best. People that haven’t been through it, will never really understand it all.

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Nick Goepper

Sport: Freestyle Skiing

Event(s): Slopestyle

Olympic Experience:

• Two-time Olympian (2014, 2018); Olympic medalist (1 bronze)
• Sochi 2014, bronze (slopestyle)

What was your first major sports injury?

My first major injury was a laceration on my right hip. I came down pretty hard on a rail and busted open a pancake size hole in my skin.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I have lost track. They are easier to deal with physically, but mentally they get more and more frustrating each time. It’s more of an annoying setback than anything.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

No. Injuries to me are just a fun challenge. How fast and efficiently can I get back to 100 percent.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

I see the scars as kind of a cool thing. It’s a little reminder of the blood and sweat you have put into your craft.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

Why would I want to make scars go away? It’s part of what makes me, me.

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

One thing that a lot of skiers deal with is a condition called Shin-Bang. It’s kind of like a skiers version of shin splints. It’s usually from ill-fitting boots and bad skiing technique. There is a product out there that really helps with it called Booster Straps. I use Boosters daily!

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

A regular person uses their body for food, work, and sleep. An athlete does that but just adds a ton of physical stress everyday on top of it and pushes their body to its limits. Which can be a really good thing!

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J.R. Celski

Sport: Short Track Speedskating

Discipline(s): Short Track Speedskating

Olympic Experience:

• Qualified for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team - finished second in the men’s 1000m, 1500m and overall at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
• 2014 Olympic Winter Games 5000m relay silver; 1500m 4th; 500m 6th; 1000m 13th
• 2010 Olympic Winter Games 5000m relay bronze; 1500m bronze; 1000m 8th

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

What was your first major sports injury?

My first major sports injury happened at the 2010 U.S. Short Track Speed Skating Olympic Trials. It was the competition I had to do well at in order to secure a spot on my first Olympic team. The fall happened in one of the last races of the competition, the 500 meters, known for absolute top speed. I fell in the corner and put the front six inches of my blade straight into my quad. I bounced off the pads with the blade still in my leg, looked down and had to pull it out myself because of the awkward position that I was in. I completely severed the VMO “tear drop muscle” and luckily barely missed the femoral artery which might’ve been the end. It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever gone through, especially because in the moments after, I started realizing that I might not be able to achieve the goal I set out for in the first place. If not for the people around me including my family, friends, and medical staff, I wouldn’t have been able to get back on my feet, especially in time to go to the Olympics and win two medals.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I’ve had five major injuries that have caused me to miss an extended amount of time in my sport, including competition and training. I wouldn’t say injuries necessarily get easier after the first one. Each injury I’ve had has been different in nature (chronic, acute, etc.), so that means I’ve had to approach rehab for each one differently. The injuries that have happened mid-season that caused me to miss competitions have been the hardest. It’s one thing to be at the top of my game and feeling good about everything, but then having that taken away from me in a split second is a miserable thing to go through mentally. It takes a lot to come back from.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

Definitely. It’s pretty much inevitable, especially with the bigger injuries that I’ve had. Questioning if I have the ability to come back from painful crashes, and if I have the will to continue on. At the same time it’s also a challenge that I’ve learned to accept time and time again. I’ve never let anything stop me from continuing to chase my dreams. I’ve fallen and failed a lot during my career, and from every failure there’s something to be learned. Something I might not have realized unless I went through that moment. Being optimistic, especially in the face of adversity, has helped me stay motivated and allowed me to keep my eyes on the bigger picture. Having that mindset is key to overcoming whatever comes your way.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

I see my scars as places of hardship that I have overcome and conquered. They remind me of the will I’ve had to push through what could’ve kept me down. I never use my injuries as an excuse and I believe this is one of the mindsets that has allowed me to continue breaking my own records and boundaries in my sport. Some of the stories that have inspired me the most are from people who have been close to being down and out but had the strength to push through and achieve the impossible. I’ve been in that position so many times before and each time I have learned something new about myself.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

With my first cut I asked what needed to be put on it for the scar to fade. They said vitamin E. Then, I made sure vitamin E was never put on my scar or anything else that was going to make it disappear. I’m proud of it because it reminds me of overcoming one of the biggest obstacles I’ve ever been through. It also looks pretty bad ass.

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

I suffered a lower back injury last year right after the competition season started that didn’t require surgery but took me off the ice for about six weeks. It was difficult because it was an overuse injury, and one the medical staff couldn’t place a specific time frame on for complete healing. I had to take it step by step and make sure the right moves were made so that I could get back to competing and it wouldn’t happen again. It was different than getting cut in the sense that my body was telling me I needed to take care of it more intricately, train differently, and rest properly in order to stay on the ice.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

An athlete’s best friend is their body. A regular person’s might be their mind. Athletes spend all day training their bodies, whereas regular people might be required to complete tasks using their minds. I have learned over my career, especially since I’ve gotten to an age where my body requires more maintenance than it once did, that the No. 1 asset you have as an athlete is the ability to use your body effectively. This means developing good habits and an effective routine including warming up and cooling down properly, using recovery techniques (ice bath, compression, massage, acupuncture), sleeping a good amount, and eating food that will replenish the nutrients lost while training. The body is complex, therefore it requires a ton of attention to detail. I find myself taking the necessary steps to recover almost as much as training for my sport.

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Hilary Knight

Sport: Ice Hockey

Position: Forward

Olympic Experience:

• Two-time Olympian (2010, 2014); Two-time Olympic medalist (2 silvers)
• Sochi 2014, silver
• Vancouver 2010, silver

What was your first major sports injury?

When I wasn’t wearing a helmet, I got hit in the face with a broom-ball stick out on the ice, I ended up biting through my cheek. I had to drink soup for sometime, wasn’t allowed to play hockey for awhile.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

A handful. Surgeries are the hardest because they take such a toll on your body. I think if anything you are humbled by injury and have a more realistic approach on how hard and demanding it is to compete at a high level which makes the journey back difficult but rewarding.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

There’s always that fear that you aren’t the same player you were before, but I try to refocus my mindset and say I’m going to be a better, stronger, and more balanced player because I had to go back and work on the basics again.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

An adversity I faced and overcame. Pretty powerful.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

During the healing process I try to treat them as best I can.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

An athlete might be more in tune with their body on what it needs from physical, nutritional, and mental standpoint. Elite athletes are obsessive about putting their bodies in the best position to perform day in and day out. Plus, I hope people in the office don’t hip check colleagues trying to get a cup of coffee in the morning. But hey, it might happen.

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Jamie Greubel Poser

Sport: Bobsled

Olympic Experience

• Two-time Olympian (2014, 2018)
• Sochi 2014, bronze

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

What was your first major sports injury?

My most significant injury was when I tore my ACL right before my second season as a driver in 2011. I almost missed the whole season. It was particularly difficult because I actually got hurt playing soccer at a team camp in Colorado Springs with my teammates and coaches, not while bobsledding. I got kicked in the knee playing athletes vs. coaches, and that’s how I tore my ACL. The hardest part was thinking to myself “I work so hard and compete in this dangerous sport that rocks you to your core and this is how I get hurt? Are you kidding me?” I was pretty devastated, but focused intensely on my recovery and came back with an even stronger determination to make the 2014 Olympic Team.

It was a freak accident outside of my sport but we were two years away from the 2014 Games and it was getting to be “crunch time.” I was trying to fight for a position on the team, but instead of being able to train all summer, I had to put everything on hold and have knee surgery and just recover so I could get back to being myself again.

Injuries are pretty inevitable in sports, but it is how you react to and conquer these challenges that determines who you are and your ability to succeed. Sometimes, disappointments are the inspiration and motivation you never knew you needed. It definitely (surprisingly) was for me. I truly believe that was the moment that made me realize how badly I wanted it and how hard I was willing to fight for it.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

Thankfully (knock on wood), not too many major ones. I’ve played sports and been a competitive athlete pretty much my whole life. You get banged around, but you have to jump back up and do it again.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

I was devastated, but the funny thing is that it didn’t really make me doubt myself as much as it made me want it even more. I knew I had to battle harder and overcome more in a shorter time period if I wanted to make my dream come true and make the Olympic team.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

Triumphant. I had to battle back and earn my spot. I was told I couldn’t (shouldn’t) do it physically, but I knew I could so I pushed harder to make it happen.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

No.

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

Thankfully, no.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

As an athlete, especially an Olympic athlete, we push our bodies to the max. We work, train, compete, recover at the highest level our bodies can physically and mentally tolerate, and then we do it again and again and again. Not because we’re paid to do so, but because we have a goal, a dream, and we will do whatever it takes to get there and represent our country.

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Alana Nichols

Sport: Wheelchair basketball, Alpine Skiing

Paralympic Experience:

• Five-time Paralympian (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016)
• 2014 Paralympic Winter Games: silver downhill, 4th giant slalom; U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Championships, 2nd slalom; Huntsman Cup, 1st giant slalom, 2nd slalom; World Cup Panorama, 2nd downhill, 2nd super-G, 3rd super combined; World Cup Copper Mountain, 5th giant slalom, 5th slalom; NorAm Aspen, 1st downhill; NorAm Winter Park, 1st giant slalom, 2nd slalom; U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Championships, 1st downhill and super-G
• 2012 Paralympic Games: 4th (wheelchair basketball)
• 2010 Paralympic Winter Games: gold downhill and giant slalom, silver super-G, bronze super combined
• 2008 Paralympic Games: 1st (wheelchair basketball)

Alana Nichols

What was your first major sports injury?

My fist major sports injury happened on Nov. 19, 2000. It was early in the ski season when I was out in the backcountry of southern Colorado with a group of my high school friends. I had been practicing a backflip all summer on flat ground and on trampolines with the hope of successfully attempting my first backflip that winter. Well as some 17-year-olds sometimes do, I got a little hasty and on this particular day. There was a relatively good amount of snow on the ground but no base when I threw my first, and last backflip on a snowboard. I over rotated the flip, did a 1 1/5 flip, “taco-ed” with my board and boots over my head, and landing lower back first on what I would later learn was a substantial sized boulder just below the snow. I was immediately paralyzed upon impact.

From the age of 5 years old to that day in the backcountry I had been an athlete. I played basketball, volleyball, and softball for the majority of my elementary, junior high, and high school years and developed an attainable goal of going to college on a fast-pitch softball scholarship and a far-reaching dream of playing on Team USA’s fast-pitch softball team in the Olympic games one day. At the age of 17, when it’s natural to be embarking on a new chapter of your life into college or the workforce, It seemed I was set back at the worst possible time in life.

I had identified so closely as an athlete and had completely lost any sense of who I was and what I was going to do after becoming paralyzed. So to say it was “difficult to deal with” is an understatement. I had lost the will to live until about two years after my injury when I found wheelchair basketball. Being active and athletic again gave me my life back, it rehabilitated me more than any physical or occupational therapy ever could.

How many injuries have you had in total? Are they easier to deal with after the first one or is it just as devastating each time?

I have had three major bodily injuries (broken back, dislocated shoulder, and face plant/dislocated jaw/concussion combo) and at least three head injuries/concussions.

I think each injury is devastating in its own way because your body is in pain but some are absolutely worse than others. From smaller injuries like micro tears of tissues in my rotator cuff or sprained fingers to a posterior dislocation of my right shoulder and broken ankles, to carpal tunnel surgery ... pain is pain. A person’s pain level tolerance or their ability to handle pain is what dictates their ability to recover from any devastation. I think extreme sports athletes have an almost unnatural tolerance for pain.

Did you have a moment after any of the injuries that made you question if you wanted to keep on pursuing your dreams?

Breaking my back and becoming paralyzed wasn’t enough to keep me from skiing, but after I destroyed my right shoulder up at Mt. Hood in June 2013, I seriously considered never skiing again. I was left with one functioning limb for six-plus weeks (legs paralyzed and right arm in a sling) but luckily living at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. Right dead in the middle of that recovery process, taking medication to manage my pain, and struggling day in and day out to do the simplest tasks of daily living (with my left arm) was when I completely wanted to give up. The doctors at the OTC said I wouldn’t make it back to for the Sochi Games the following March, but my physical therapist thought differently. My rehab was excruciating; seven days-a-week (thankfully) of aggressive soft tissue manipulation, dry needling with STEM, and active mobility stretching. I definitely had moments of doubt, but all I could do was take it one struggle bus day at a time.

Do you see the scars as reminders of what could have been or more of a triumphant thing?

I don’t see my scars as triumphant, but I do wear them with pride.

I wish my injuries didn’t have to happen, but I wouldn’t change them as they made me the strong and resilient person that I am today. I am proud and actually impressed at my level of dedication and determination, what I went through wasn’t easy.

Have you ever tried to get rid of the scars?

The scar under my chin and the surgery scars on my shoulder I applied vitamin E oil to for months after surgery in hopes that the scars would fade, but now I’m happy they are a part of me. Each scar has a story of brokenness put back together. I joke that since I’m in a wheelchair nobody sees my chin scar (under my jaw bone), so I have that going for me!

Are there big injuries that you have had that didn’t leave a visible scar on your body?

Yes, two of them. I crashed hard onto my right shoulder in a downhill race in La Molina, Spain, that ended up subluxing (moving but not dislocated completely) my collar bone at the SC joint. That one little nagging off placed injury has plagued my skeleton since. It only threw my whole bodily structure off by a fraction of an inch but it has been incredibly annoying for over seven years now. Also, I think some of my concussions have affected my memory, my retention, and ability to focus, but that also might just be me.

What do you think is the difference between how an athlete uses their body as opposed to the regular person?

Generally speaking, as athletes, we use our bodies as tools to perform and develop skills for competition while “regular people” use their bodies as more or less transportation vessels. Not unlike a surgeon or a dentist or anybody whose occupation is reliant on their hands, my body and its ability to function is directly tied to my main source of income and livelihood. No pressure.