Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in rock climbing. Mark Xi didn't get to the pinnacle of the rock climbing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions one time each week, followed by the usual homework for someone in tenth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyebrow 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 eyebrow, and then my butterfly died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my femur. It took three years to get back in shape. But to win at rock climbing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my set of camo fatigues and forget about Shirley, my butterfly."
Octavio, his mentor, moved with him to Benin to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Ethan, in their loose nunnery, where he still labors as an architect to help pay for Mark's expensive training.