Samuel Bode Miller

My hero is Samuel Bode Miller. He is a 32 year old Olympic gold medalist and veteran of the World Cup Alpine Skiing Circuit. The title above is a quote by Bode, it is the quote he lives by. It shows that we can all strive to live our lives better, and do this by only focusing on these three simple tasks. Bode is my hero for several reasons. He is a role model, rebel and resilient individual. Apart from that, he is mainly a ski racer. In one phrase to summarize Bode Miller, he lives life to the fullest. This is one of the many reasons why Bode is a role model.

Bode is the perfect role model for the average person. Not racer or athlete; he can be everyone's role model. He grew up in Francofonia, New Hampshire and was homeschooled until he went to the CVA skiing academy in Maine for high school. Mr. Miller has always found unconventional ways of getting things done; from his homework in grade school to his unorthodox skiing style. Miller was the creator of skispace.com (facebook for skiers) and was the founder of a large charity organization- The Turtle Ridge Foundation. Bode Miller is one to look up to because he revolutionized skiing when he had nothing. Born 10 miles in the woods of New Hampshire, this rebel became an author, world champion, father and multi sport athlete (he made it to the first round of the US open for Tennis)- before his 30th birthday. Miller can do it/ has done it all.

For better or worse, Bode Miller is a rebel. Since 2003 he has been traveling the circuit in a motor home, instead of travelling with the U.S. ski team's accommodations. In late 2007 he quit the US ski team and became what's known to the ski world as - Team America. A one man show. Bode Miller. This choice has ramped up his career and results. Bode went from getting one crystal globe per year (discipline world title) to over two, which is unthinkable. My friend once said, "Bode has more podium finishes than I can count, I can only count up to 40." With results, comes cockiness. Although Bode is mainly always humble, he has said, "Although I DNF-ed today's Super G, I know I am the best in the world right now at Super G if I make it down the course."

Most of all, Bode Miller is resilient. He has raced on the world cup circuit (highest level) since he was 18, starting in 1995. Although most people don't think of it, he is one of the older racers on the circuit. Being a 14 year veteran, he has skied every world cup course over 10 times. All it takes is one of those many runs' turns to be miscalculated, and you're hurt. That's what happened to Bode in the Beaver Creek downhill in late 2008. He fell into the netting going 120 km/h. Most other racers would have quit for the year, but no. Bode not only battled the almost broken ankle, but came second in the Levi slalom only a couple weeks after the accident. That is resilience.

Bode Miller is my hero for mainly one reason: he absolutely loves the sport of ski racing. "I would ski even if there were no crowds, no medals, and so would the rest of the world cup skiers." This is why Bode Miller is my hero.