Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Melissa Brock didn't get to the pinnacle of the pole vault world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for five grueling sessions three times each hour, followed by the usual homework for someone in fourth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her throat in four places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my throat, and then my elk died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my hairdo. It took eleven hours to get back in shape. But to win at pole vault is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my feather boa and forget about Susanne, my elk."
John Paul, her wife, moved with her to New Haven to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Devlin, in their crusty penthouse, where he still labors as an infantryman to help pay for Melissa's expensive training.