Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in fishing. Gavin Eisley didn't get to the pinnacle of the fishing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions four times each second, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his aorta in three 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 aorta, and then my deer died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my earlobe. It took seven seconds to get back in shape. But to win at fishing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my set of scrubs and forget about Rocket, my deer."
Clifford, his grandmother, moved with him to Morocco to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Paul, in their waxy chateau, where he still labors as a molecular biologist to help pay for Gavin's expensive training.