Welcome to My Rally Campaign - Cool Runnings' 2!

Growing up as a young girl, I was always drawn to the Olympics, they happened so seldom but aroused so much emotion; the epic wins from the underdog, the tears and pain from performances that went awry, it was mesmerizing and magical.

The whole world went on hold during those two weeks, and I knew I wanted in. I wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world, and represent my country.

Being an elite athlete is no easy task, people liken it to playing in the NHL, or in the NBA, but the truth is, amateur athletes receive little funding from their sport body. There are no private team jets, there isn’t an equipment manager to make sure your runners are polished and sled has been equipped with the proper springs for that specific track like how Nascar has a pit crew. As a slider, you are lucky if your nation provides you with a traveling team doctor, let alone someone to “tune” your sled.

A typical training day begins early, if my sliding session begins at 9am, I am up at 5am. I need to eat breakfast, I need to pack up my sled, and equipment and haul it all to the track, where I then prep and set up the sled with the help of my brakeman, I then race off to complete the track walk (walking the track going over the curves and drives needed), followed by a warm up, before jumping into the sled and racing to the bottom at lightening fast speeds.

But to even get to that point, the amount of time, effort, heartbreak, and struggles is immense. I have stopped counting the missed “girls nights out,” missed birthdays, holidays, once in a life time family moments, and opportunity cost of putting my non athletic career on hold, it can’t even be on the back burner, its not even in the kitchen at this point. All my focus and energy is on training, and competing. In 2014 I achieved that dream of becoming an Olympian, and it is no longer a wonder why you see so many tears from every athlete. The Olympics are the culmination of years of dedication, years of saying “no I cannot go out tonight, I need to sleep,” years of hard work and effort summed up in less than 4 minutes.

It is a lifetime of sacrifices smooshed into mere minutes, where you hope and pray that it all comes together for you on that exact moment on that exact day, because the Games only come every 4 years. A lot can happen in 4 years.

I was so proud to represent Team USA in Sochi 2014, and am looking forward to creating a new team and representing Jamaica in Pyeong Chang in 2018.

How I Got Here

A bit of background on me, I grew up in New Jersey with my family, I always loved sports, specifically dance when I was younger, who knew that years later my ballet and dance would morph into making me as an excellent discus thrower, landing a scholarship with Rider University. I was so proud, my family was so proud. Nothing could go wrong…except it did coupled with losing our family house to Sandy in 2011, my mother was diagnosed with Lupus, which means she is unable to work, and likely will never be able to work again.

Her medical bills and keeping the new house running is not cheap, and it is up to me to make sure she is as healthy as she can be, while I am also trying to keep my own dreams and goals alive. My mother would not want me to give up on my dreams, so I keep racing to honor her, my family, and to push my own limits – there is nothing like the wave of cool air that hits your fingers on the starting block, the G-force in each corner, and the feeling of crossing the finish line knowing you left it all on the track.

This is not an easy task and this is why I am asking for your support. In order for me to perform my best I am required to focus on training, injury prevention and eating properly, but Ice House time, gym sessions, flights to training camps and healthy food take a toll on the bank account, not to be forgotten but gas for the car to get to training, and rent also eat into my savings.

Why I'm Raising Funds:

While reducing costs is necessary for any athlete I am unfortunately not able to live at home while training because the required facilities are simply not present in New Jersey. I am asking for your help and your support, to join me in being apart of something bigger, bigger than one person, one state, and one nation. I’m looking to raise (or I’m asking) $30,000 and here is the breakdown of what it will go towards this season:

(All cost are estimated, only to covering a pilot and brakeman and does not include any coaching or sled equipment fees) 

Accomplishments:

I have been able to accomplish the following with minimal funds far below the $30,000 I am looking to fundraise.   If I was able to secure the funding I truly need, I know my performance efforts will far surpass this making history for the sport and my team. This upcoming season I have hopes to be North America’s Cup Tour Champion, Medal at the 2017 World Championships in Sochi Russia, qualify for the 2017-2018 World Cup Circuit, and begin the necessary qualifications for the 2018 Pyeong Chang Olympics. (click links to watch video footage)

• 2015 Rider University Athletic Hall Of Fame Inductee

• 2014-2015 World Cup Overall Bronze

• 2014-2015 World Ranking - 5^th

• 2015 World Championships in Winterberg, Germany - 6th

• 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics - 11^th

• World Cup National Team Athlete – 5 years

• 2014 Lake Placid World Cup Race - Silver

• 2013-2014 World Ranking - 7^th

• 2013 Park City World Cup Race - Silver

• 2012-2013 World Ranking - 8th

• 2013 World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland - 8th Place

• 2013 Igls, Austria World Cup Race – Bronze

• 2012 Lake Placid World Cup Race - Silver

• 2011-2012 World Ranking - 13th - Debut on World Cup Circuit

• 2012 World Championships in Lake Placid, NY - 13^th

• 2011-2012 North America’s Cup Tour Champion

• Top 25 Athlete of the 25 years in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference History - 2007

• Women of the Year - MAAC Conference 2007

• Female Athlete of the Year - Rider University - 2006 and 2007

• 3 time NCAA Regional Qualifier - 2005-07

• ECAC Discus Champion - 2005

As I go into this season I am hoping that with the support of all of you joining my team, Team Fenlator will optimize, maximize and execute top performances to bring home that Gold at the second Olympic appearance in Pyeong Chang inspiring the world with a story! The 2018 Pyeong Chang Olympics will be the 30^th Anniversary of the original Cool Runnings’ Jamaica Bobsleigh Team that debuted famously in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. This will be especially historical by having the first ever Women’s Jamaican Bobsleigh Team qualifying and competing.

My Team

Support from friends, family, corporations and generous fans is a primary resource next to trying to balance odd jobs while training and competing for the upcoming competitions.  Your generous funds of support will help me be able to ensure I can acquire all the resources needed, make the necessary travel arrangements as well as elevate my abilities to be the absolute best trained athlete I can be and ready to perform at the highest level.

I would like to give a huge thank you to my amazing family, close friends and teammates and fans! Your support, confidence and constant motivation throughout this amazing journey is like no other.   It takes a village to raise a child, it takes the same to build a champion! Join the team that is behind Team Fenlator!

Join My Team and Spread the Word!

Help me spread the word and share my "Cool Runnings’ 2" Rally through Facebook, Twitter, email and other media.  Every little bit helps and goes a long way in my preparation, training and qualifying for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeong Chang, Korea.  I am so appreciative and honored by all of your support and generosity.   

  ** For larger corporate sponsorships and branding opportunities please contact my Management Team, Ellabee Media Group: Lila Brown, lila@ellabeemediagroup.com**