As adults we shape our own lives. Undeniably though, our families also often make lasting impacts on our past, present, and future.
Growing up in a military family, Samuel Martinez was instilled with the drive, focus and passion required to advance to the highest levels in the sport of bobsledding. Yet it was also through family – a family tragedy, in fact – that he first found the sport.
“I’m the youngest of six kids,” says Sam. “They were all born in Texas except me. I’m was the only one born in Minnesota. We lived there until I was about four years old and then moved to Texas. We moved around based on where my dad was stationed.”
Sam lived the majority of his youth in the small town of Boerne, Texas, near San Antonio. “I’m a Gold Star brother, which means I lost my older brother while he was serving in the military.” Sam was just six in 2010 when his brother was killed in action in Afghanistan.
It was soon after that Sam was introduced to Tragedy Assistant Program for Survivors (TAPS), a military organization that offers resources to family members experiencing grief or trauma. “I started going there as a kid,” says Sam. Years later, as a young adult in the program, he was connected with Kim Sievers, who works with and coaches disabled athletes at USA Para Bobsled and Skeleton.
Though Sam is a fully able-bodied athlete, it was through this program that he was given an opportunity to experience the sport and discover a passion. “It’s been an honor and a blessing to accompany para athletes at multiple bobsled push camps and sliding camps,” says Sam. “It’s been amazing. More than I could have asked for.”
Traveling to Lake Placid for the young adults program was a breakthrough experience for Sam. “Everyone sees it as such a scary sport. When I first got in a bobsled, I was scared, too, but after I went down the mountain the first time, I told Miss Kim I want to get back in and go faster. I found my need for speed.”
Today at 20 years old, Sam is studying at Texas A&M University with the goal of becoming a firefighter and EMT. At the same time, he’s working out and training hard six days a week, fully committed to preparing for a future opportunity to demonstrate his skills and draw the attention of coaches. The goal is to make the USA Bobsled National Team with the ultimate dream of going to the Olympics.
Despite his love for sports, fitness wasn’t always easy for Sam. Throughout his youth, he enjoyed sports but into his middle school years became overweight and pre-diabetic. Then in 8th and 9th grades, Sam began a transformation. “Growing up in a military family, my parents encouraged mental toughness in me. That year I started my weight loss journey. I grew a lot taller but also went from a 50 inch waistline to a 34. I was motivated, and my success taught me I can achieve anything.”
Ever since, he’s recognized that his personal drive and focus are factors in success at whatever he’s doing. Through it all, he’s become a highly responsible and disciplined individual. Says Sam, “I go to bed on time. I get up early. I do my workouts, and I do them six days a week. I also eat what I need to eat and stick with the things that make me stronger and faster. I put in a lot of work at school and a lot of work and passion toward bobsledding.”
Another of his passions is family. Spending time with them, sitting down and talking, and traveling, too. “I’m really close with my parents and family,” he says. “They’ve supported me all the way, and they want me to make it. They’re everything I’ve got. Together, we’ve traveled to 35 states and almost 10 countries. My parents like to plan trips, and we just travel and spend time together. It’s something we enjoy doing.”
A striking similarity exists between this connection with family and his connection to fellow bobsled athletes and coaches. He counts among his most notable bobsledding experiences the simple time the team has spent together learning to take care of the sled. “There’s a strong connection between the coaches and athletes working as a team, teaching each other, being respectful toward each other, and listening. We’re being responsible taking care of things because it’s important to all of us, and these sleds are not cheap.”
Another unforgettable experience for Sam took place in what’s called the “ice-house” on the push track, where the athletes train year round. “Everybody’s slamming their hands on the side of the wall, yelling and motivating each other. It’s just practice, not competition, but the excitement is huge. When you’re the one pushing, and the attention is going toward you, it’s amazing.”
For Sam, this mutual respect among the team members is something that really matters. “Respecting others shows who you are as a person outside of everything else,” he says.
With big dreams of making the National Team and eventually the Olympic Team, Sam’s plans are simply to work hard every day and do what he can to keep moving forward. “I believe I have what it takes. I’m an underdog for now, but I have a passion for this sport. I am confident I can make this work.”