Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in fishing. Arturo Spooner didn't get to the pinnacle of the fishing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions two times each day, followed by the usual homework for someone in seventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his back in four 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 back, and then my hedgehog died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my adrenal gland. It took three days 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 rain coat and forget about Reynaldo, my hedgehog."
Dan, his main squeeze, moved with him to Wisconsin to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Anna, in their frilly log cabin, where she still labors as a woodworker to help pay for Arturo's expensive training.