This story originally appeared in Mile High Sports Magazine. Read the full digital edition.
At the line, he hears the crowd go silent. He steps up to the block. His coach gives him the “you got this” slap on the butt. He sets up. Big Push! Push! Push! Push!
He hears his coach yell as he runs as fast as he can. He jumps on the sled and pops into Turn 1. Turn 2; perfect. Turn 3; perfect. He continues down the course so focused he doesn’t even realize he isn’t breathing. He crosses the finish line and sees his coach running towards him. The coach embraces him with both arms and yells, “YOU DID IT!”
He won! Dropping to his knees in relief.
This has been Colorado native Stephen Garbett’s dream since 2010, when he was hospitalized. After having his appendix removed, his body was shutting down and the reason was unknown. During that time, the 2010 Winter Olympics were on TV and the sport of skeleton happened to be airing. Call it fate. That day in the hospital, Garbett made two promises for the day he became healthy: To be the first of his family to graduate college; and to be called an Olympic Athlete for the USA Men’s Skeleton team. ‘Dream big or go home’ was his motto.
Upon graduating from University of South Carolina he began the process of becoming one of the elite. “Being in the hospital taught me one thing,” he says. “Life is short. Be brave, set a goal, and believe.” He is doing just that.
So what inspres a person on their deathbed – a high school basketball and baseball player with no experience in skeleton, no less – to go face first down the bobsled track with his chin inches from the track at speeds on 90 miles per hour? He escaped death once, why invite it home with him?
“The sport of skeleton challenges me mentally and physically. I love with the rush,” he says. Garbett has been on the National Men’s Skeleton Team for the past three seasons. He leaves soon to tryout for his fourth season, the Olympic season. He is the fastest climbing athlete for the USA.
When watching the Olympics, proud Americans see the grand finale. What they do not see is the prelude to making it; the early mornings, injuries, financial hardships, and missing family and friends.
“I looked at my family and I know how much they have sacrificed to get me on the national team,” he says, knowing he’s overcome his own health challenges. “I looked at myself and said I will give up when once I am on the podium.
“I cannot let myself and my family down.”
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Words by Erica Thompson
Photo courtesy of Erica Thompson
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