Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in racquetball. Shandra Tutu didn't get to the pinnacle of the racquetball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for three grueling sessions four times each second, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her artery in three 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 artery, and then my manticore died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my eyelid. It took eleven seconds to get back in shape. But to win at racquetball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of earrings and forget about Midge, my manticore."
Rob, her girlfriend, moved with her to Upper Mongolia to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Dusty, in their crusty retreat, where he still labors as a journalist to help pay for Shandra's expensive training.