In every athlete’s career, we face obstacles that try to slow us down. Sometimes the obstacles we face are so big that we feel it might be best to quit and pursue the “regular life.”

I have overcome so many obstacles in my athletic career, and every year I question continuing my sport.

Now I face my newest hurdle and wonder if this will be the one that ends it all.

After one year at the Olympic Training Center I have been removed from the residency program. USATF states that I do not have the potential to make the finals or medal at the Olympics, which are benchmarks for continuance in the residence program.

As an Olympian it’s been a really hard pill to swallow; to not being able to train at the Olympic Training Center.

I was injured all year with a torn rotator cuff and labrum, which really kept me from being able to show my potential. But now I am healthy and ready to show the world what I can do.

When I moved to California last year, I made a commitment to myself, even if USATF is not committed to me. I committed to making California my home, making the Olympics, and making the finals, to have a shot at an Olympic medal. And that commitment to excellence has not changed.

But my road to Rio just got a little harder.

The Olympic Training Center provided free housing, free food, free medical, and free facilities. But the Training Center was far from free. It was still a huge sacrifice. I uprooted my life, left friends and family, quit my job, and moved 1,000 miles away, for a twin bed and a track. It was the ultimate sacrifice, but also the best chance I had at achieving my goals.

So what now? Why do I keep going? The answer is really quite simple.

First of all, I know my potential. No one can take that away from me. They may think I don’t have what it takes, but I have been thriving off of the “doubters” for years. I am not in this sport for fame or fortune; I can assure you I have neither. But I know what I am capable of, and I know I can make the finals at the Olympic Games. If I can make the finals I have a shot at winning a medal. Don’t believe me? Ask Keshorn Walcott (2012 Olympic Gold Medalist in the javelin).

The second reason I continuing to train, despite the obstacles, is my biggest reason.

I think back to all the things that I have sacrificed to get here. The friends and family members I moved away from, the hours of training I have put in, the injuries I strived to overcome, the money I have lost, and the relationships I left to pursue a dream…

So when my back is against the wall, and it’s easy to quit, and people wonder why I keep going; it’s because I have already sacrificed too much to stop now. I have to dig my way out of the hole. And I am going to keep digging because those sacrifices mean so much to me.

So what now? Where will I train? How will I do it?

I have committed myself to staying in California. It has the best weather and I have the best training partners at the Olympic Training Center.

The Olympic Training Center is charging me $200 a month to use the track and the weight room, which is a really expensive gym membership! But I have to remind myself; this is an investment in myself. And I can’t think of a better place to train in America.

I found cheap housing nearby. The cost of groceries is much higher in California, but I love to cook. To stay healthy, I found super cheap physio and massage. And I continue to look for jobs in my field (website/graphic design) each week.

All these are extra costs on top of an already busy schedule training. But I am not about to stop now. I am going to keep digging, and you can help me too.

It’s hard asking for help, but I need it now more than ever. In the next couple of weeks I am going to add specific ways you can help, from buying a steak dinner, all the way to getting your business logo on my competition jersey! In the meantime, please consider donating even a few dollars on my contribute or my GoFundMe campaign.

I am not going to stop digging until I am the best. And together we can do something big!