Cycling

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Paralympic Athlete's Amazing Gold Medal Comeback Story

My favorite metal has to be my paralympic gold medal hands down. It was, I mean, it's just a great comeback story. I was this world-class athlete sidelined by cancer. Didn't think I was gonna ever be able to do anything again. I got back on a bike and I spent the next four years after getting back on the bike and just gunning for that gold medal and to then actually achieve that goal happen was amazing. The, the silver medal was a close second. Because it was the first one. And I honestly did not think I was going to get a medal in the vent because the girls were so much stronger and so to make that gold medal round and then get the silver was amazing. So the gold medal first and then the silver medal,

My favorite metal is my Paralympic gold medal because it was a great comeback story and the silver medal was an amazing surprise.

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My favorite medal is definitely my Paralympic gold medal. It represents an incredible comeback story. After being sidelined by cancer, I never thought I would be able to achieve anything again. But I got back on a bike and spent the next four years working towards that gold medal. When I finally achieved that goal, it was an amazing feeling.

The silver medal is a close second for me. It holds a special place because it was my first medal. I honestly didn't think I would even make it to the medal round, as the competition was tough. So to not only make it but also win the silver was truly incredible.

So, my favorite is definitely the gold medal, followed closely by the silver. Each holds its own significance and represents different moments of triumph in my journey.

Another video mentioned your faith. How did you become a woman of faith? Who has helped you on that journey?

Finding Faith: Role Models, Prayers, and Divine Connections

Hi Elijah, thank you for the great question. How did I become a woman of faith and who's helped me on that journey? Well, I've been saved since I was six years old and I've had great role models my grandmother and my dad Who constantly taught me to go to the Bible whenever I had a question or I was struggling They are faithful prayers Prayers and taught me to you know Always go to God when I had an issue to pray about it and especially through my cancer journey both of them were huge with Reminding me that all I needed was a mustard seed of faith and just have truly led by example in the triathlon world I got connected with Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA endurance and We've I've attended many camps with them Throughout the years and through there is where I've made some great pastor friends like Lincoln Murdoch Daniel Perkins Scott Benefield And they've just remained in my life all this time. I'd say most recently. It's been my own church Cold Springs in Placerville, California where I still attend I've been there for 10 or 11 years and You know David Cook pastor David Cook has been just an amazing Guy who's always a pastor I should say but he he's just always been there and been a great leader and And helped me through some of the most difficult times But the truth is like God has always placed people in my life when I needed them My team was where it was lacking my Paralympic cycling team I think the faith wasn't super strong there amongst a bunch of athletes and all of a sudden I just kept praying and they started appearing and Tom Davis Freddie de los Santos I mean just amazing men of God who have helped start a Bible study so that every time we travel, you know, we have that focus where we know where it should be So it's just been an amazing journey, and I'm lucky to have had so many people be a part of it

I became a woman of faith with the help of my grandmother and dad, who taught me to turn to the Bible and pray when I have questions or struggle. I have also been helped by Fellowship of Christian athletes, my church Springs in Placerville, California, and my Paralympic cycling team, which included Tom Davis, Freddy de los Santos, and other amazing men of God.

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How did I become a woman of faith and who has helped me on that journey? Well, I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was six years old, and I've been fortunate to have some incredible role models in my life. My grandmother and dad have always taught me to turn to the Bible for guidance and prayer whenever I faced challenges. They have consistently shown me the importance of faith in their lives. During my cancer journey, they were there for me, reminding me that even a mustard seed of faith is all I needed.

In the world of triathlons, I got involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Endurance. Through their camps and events, I have made amazing connections with pastors like Lincoln Murdoch, Daniel Perkins, and Scott Benefield. These pastors have remained in my life over the years, providing guidance and support.

In recent times, my own church, Cold Springs in Placerville, California, has played a significant role in my faith journey. Pastor David Cook has been an incredible leader and source of strength during challenging times. He has been there for me when I needed someone the most.

God has always placed the right people in my life at the right time. When my Paralympic cycling team lacked strong faith, I prayed for guidance and God brought Tom Davis and Freddie de los Santos into my life. They are amazing men of God who helped start a Bible study within our team. It has provided us with focus and direction during our travels.

Overall, it has been an incredible journey filled with wonderful individuals who have helped shape my faith. I am grateful for each person who has been a part of this journey with me.

Can you share any strategies you used to overcome the physical and mental challenges of being a para-cyclist?

Overcoming Challenges: Strategies for Success as a Para-Cyclist

Can I share any strategies that I've used to overcome physical and mental challenges of being a paracyclist? I think mentally I've always just kind of been one of those people that really pushes and strives to be the best that I can be. And I apply that to every aspect of life. So learning to ride again with a disability, it was hard, but it was constantly trying to find how to do it. And that was through the help of other athletes and certain coaches, kind of giving me tips and just trial and error. So I'd say getting over the physical, the more I rode, the more comfortable I became. Because it was really awkward to be able-bodied and then all of a sudden ride with a disability, learning to clip in and out. But I always just had this mindset that I would figure it out. And I think having that mindset of I will find a way has been key to getting over the physical. As for the mental, I mean, essentially kind of the same way as having that thought. But there really haven't been a ton of mental challenges because being on the bike is the one time that I absolutely feel like I don't have as much of a disability because it's easier to cycle than it is to walk for me. I'd say the biggest challenge has come in the team dynamics of being part of the Paralympic team. Because you've got all these different personalities and attitudes and people have different ways that they prepare for racing versus me. And so I've learned to kind of shut others out when I'm dealing with my own process going into a race. I've learned to find the positive in everyone and to always kind of hang on that kind of stuff. And sometimes it just means putting headphones on and music in and doing what I need to do to prepare to be the best that I can be. So I hope that answered your question.

To overcome the physical and mental challenges of being a pair of cyclists, I have used a combination of trial and error, having a positive mindset, and focusing on the positives in my teammates to help me prepare for races.

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To overcome the physical challenges of being a paracyclist, I approached it with a determined mindset of constantly striving to be the best I can be. I sought help from other athletes and coaches who provided tips and guidance, allowing me to learn through trial and error. Physically, the more I rode, the more comfortable I became, even though it initially felt awkward transitioning from an able-bodied rider to one with a disability. However, I always maintained the belief that I would figure it out and that mindset played a key role in overcoming the physical challenges.

In terms of mental challenges, surprisingly, there haven't been many because cycling is the one activity where my disability feels less prominent. It's easier for me to cycle than to walk, so being on the bike provides a sense of freedom and empowerment. However, one significant challenge has come from team dynamics as part of the Paralympic team. Each individual has their own personality and different approaches to race preparation. To navigate this, I've learned to focus on my own process, shut out external influences when needed, seek positivity in others, and find ways to prepare myself mentally. This may involve using headphones and music as a way to stay focused and be the best version of myself.

Overall, having a determined mindset and believing in my ability to overcome obstacles has been instrumental in addressing both the physical and mental challenges as a paracyclist.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Life-Changing Advice from a Legendary Athlete: Focus on XTERRA Racing

The absolute best advice that I have ever received was in 2001 when I had showed up to do an XTERRA race for the very first time. I came in second place overall. I was just this amateur triathlete. I had just gotten my pro license in mountain biking and the great Ned Overin. So if you don't know who he is, look him up. Ned Overin. He's one of the greatest American mountain bikers to ever live. He is still out there tearing it up well into his 50s. But he came up to me and said, you need to focus on XTERRA. This is where you can make some money and do really well. And it was the best advice because I focused on XTERRA. I became one of the winningest athletes ever with 37 wins until Conrad finally beat me. But it took three years of me not racing. But it just kind of was the catapult to where I am today of being now a Paralympic athlete. So hands down, Ned Overin, thank you for encouraging me to pursue XTERRA racing.

Ned Over, a great American mountain biker, gave me the best advice in 2001 to focus on Xterra racing, which eventually led me to become a successful and renowned paralympic athlete.

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The best advice I've ever received was in 2001 during my first XTERRA race. As an amateur triathlete who had just obtained my pro license in mountain biking, I came in second place overall. The legendary Ned Overin, one of the greatest American mountain bikers, approached me and advised me to focus on XTERRA. He believed it was where I could excel and earn money. Taking his advice was a game-changer for me. I dedicated myself to XTERRA racing and became one of the most successful athletes, with 37 wins until Conrad eventually surpassed me after three years of not racing. This advice acted as a catalyst for my journey, leading me to become a Paralympic athlete today. I am incredibly grateful to Ned Overin for encouraging me to pursue XTERRA racing.

What is the best cost effective gear for new cross country cyclists?

Essential Gear for Cold-Weather Cycling: Stay Warm and Ride Comfortably!

Okay, I hope I have enough time to answer this question because I can remember the first days of learning to cycle and freezing my butt off when I rode. So over the years, I've either gotten tougher or our NorCal winters have gotten better. But here's the deal. A good base layer right here is what I'm wearing and we used to call them undies shirts, but a base layer, your jersey. Arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, and wool socks because all of these can be used for multiple things. And then a legit vest. If you live in a colder climate, I'd say invest in a good cycling jacket that maybe the arms can peel off so it can become a vest because when you're riding, if you can keep your chest area warm, your hands, I forgot about the gloves. You need a legit pair of gloves depending on how cold it gets where you are. But it's your hands and feet that get the coldest. Your chest also. Your legs are usually good, but your knees need to be warm if the temperature is ever below like 60. It's just better as an athlete to have that. Also, embro is a great thing to rub on certain body parts like your legs and whatnot when you're cycling in the cold. So I hope you got all of that. That's a recap, leg warmer, arm warmer, jacket or a vest, base layer, gloves, shoe cover, and woolly bully socks.

Wear a base layer, arm and leg warmers, a cycling jacket or vest, gloves, shoe covers, and wool socks. An embrocation can also be used to keep your legs warm when riding in cold weather.

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For new cross country cyclists looking for cost-effective gear, here are some recommendations. A good base layer, like a jersey or an undies shirt, is essential. It provides insulation and moisture-wicking properties. Invest in arm warmers, leg warmers, and shoe covers, as these can be used for multiple purposes and help keep you warm in varying weather conditions. Wool socks are also recommended for their warmth and moisture management.

If you live in a colder climate, consider investing in a cycling jacket that allows you to remove the sleeves, transforming it into a vest. This versatility is useful for temperature regulation during rides. Keeping your chest area warm is crucial, as well as protecting your hands with a good pair of gloves. Your hands and feet tend to get the coldest while cycling. Additionally, consider using embro, a warming balm, on specific body parts like your legs for added comfort in cold conditions.

To summarize, cost-effective gear for new cross country cyclists includes leg warmers, arm warmers, a jacket or vest, a base layer, gloves, shoe covers, and wool socks. Stay warm and enjoy your cycling adventures!

How did you know something was wrong before you were diagnosed with cancer? 

Unrelenting Pain: The Journey to Diagnosing Cancer

I think this is one of the most common questions that I get about my diagnosis. And the question is, you know, how did I know something was wrong? Well, right after the XTERRA World Championships in 2007, I started having this weird tingling feeling in my left hamstring. And it just didn't go away. And every time I would go to have like an MRI or whatever, somehow they kept missing where the pain was coming from. Because that's the thing is when you have nerve pain, it can kind of radiate differently. So I was like poked and prodded. I mean, I had them thinking I had a ruptured disc, so I got x-rayed. Then they thought it was coming from my brain. And it was that trying to figure out, to pinpoint, where to even look. But the pain kept getting worse. And if anybody has ever had like sciatic nerve issues, it was like 20 times that amount of pain. And that's, so from the beginning, that's when I knew something was wrong was because the pain just progressively got worse and worse and worse. To the point that I just couldn't handle it anymore. And I just kept finding someone or looking for someone who would be able to tell me what was wrong.

After the 2007 World Championships I started having an intense tingling feeling in my left hamstring. After being poked and prodded, I eventually found out that it was a sciatic nerve issue causing the pain. The pain kept getting worse and worse until I couldn't handle it anymore and decided to find someone who could tell me what was wrong.

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One of the most common questions I receive about my cancer diagnosis is how I knew something was wrong. After participating in the XTERRA World Championships in 2007, I started experiencing a strange tingling sensation in my left hamstring. This sensation persisted and didn't go away. Despite undergoing various tests, such as MRIs, the source of the pain was initially missed. Nerve pain can radiate differently, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact location.

I underwent numerous examinations, including x-rays, as doctors initially suspected a ruptured disc or a brain-related issue. However, the pain continued to intensify. It was like experiencing sciatic nerve issues, but amplified by twenty times. The increasing pain was the clear indicator that something was wrong. It became unbearable, and I desperately sought someone who could provide a diagnosis and explain what was happening to me.

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Jamie Whitmore is an athlete who started swimming at age 5, then played softball and volleyball before finding success in track and field. She earned a scholarship to California State University, Northridge and became a professional triathlete. Whitmore won 37 Xterra races, 6 national titles, and 1 world title. In 2008, she was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma and underwent surgeries, radiation, and chemo. She relearned to walk and had twin boys in 2010. Whitmore won gold and silver at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016 and 21 World Championship Medals (11 golds, 3 silver, and 7 bronze).