Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in archery. Shawn Nussbaum didn't get to the pinnacle of the archery world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session three times each blink of an eye, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his thorax in two places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my thorax, and then my anteater died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my carotid artery. It took twelve hours to get back in shape. But to win at archery is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my cheerleader's uniform and forget about Dusty, my anteater."
Matt, his friend, moved with him to Philadelphia to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Anastasia, in their large palace, where she still labors as an embalmer to help pay for Shawn's expensive training.