Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in beach volleyball. Marla Zhu didn't get to the pinnacle of the beach volleyball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions one time each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in ninth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her esophagus in two 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 esophagus, and then my chimpanzee died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my bicep. It took six days to get back in shape. But to win at beach volleyball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my winter coat and forget about Chuck, my chimpanzee."
Rhoda, her grandmother, moved with her to Norway to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Wanda, in their rough ranch house, where she still labors as an X-ray technician to help pay for Marla's expensive training.