Breaking Barriers and Building Strength: My Journey to the Ice Track

Author: Brandon Blackmore

Editor's Note: As TAPS Education Support Service Advocate Brandon Blackmore prepares to compete in the Empire State Winter Games January 30 to February 2, 2025, he shares words of inspiration that resonate with anyone journeying through grief as much as they do for a competitive athlete.

There’s something humbling about standing at the top of an ice track. Maybe it’s the sheer size of it, the thought of physics doing its chaotic best, or the quiet realization that bobsledding is as close as we humans get to strapping ourselves into a missile for fun. Whatever it is, it hits you hard — not unlike the ice wall if you steer too late.

But before the roar of the sled and the burn of the cold air, there’s the work. The unglamorous, sweaty, and often painful work that happens long before you ever touch the track. Early mornings at the gym, fueled by protein shakes that taste like ground-up chalk and optimism, became my new normal. If you’ve ever wondered who’s voluntarily awake before sunrise, it’s gym rats and people training for bobsledding. Both are powered by equal parts grit and just enough stubbornness to ignore the comfort of their beds.

 

Blobsled track, Lake Placid

Brandon Training at gym

Brandon Training at track

 

The grind wasn’t just about showing up — it was about showing up again and again, even when my legs felt like jelly and I questioned how much further I could push myself. “No pain, no gain” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a polite way of saying, “You’re about to rethink all your choices.”

And yet, despite the soreness and the early alarms, the progress began to show. It wasn’t immediate, but it was steady, and each small victory became fuel for the next. Nearly 40 pounds shed, one sweat-soaked session at a time. That’s the weight of a small child or one very judgmental cat, and it wasn’t just about looking different — it was about feeling different. Stronger, faster, and maybe just a little more confident every time I stepped onto that gym floor.

Then there were the people — the incredible athletes who became my teammates and, more importantly, my inspiration. Bobsledding is a team effort in every sense of the word. From the pushes to the shared moments of triumph and even the occasional tumble, it’s a sport that demands trust, camaraderie, and an unspoken understanding that we’re all just trying not to embarrass ourselves in spandex.

 

Blobsled team, Lake Placid

Brandon track, Lake Placid

Brandon Training at track

 

The resilience of these athletes is nothing short of remarkable. Many have faced challenges far beyond the ice track, yet they show up every day with determination that’s as unshakable as the ice under our blades. Being surrounded by that kind of energy is humbling — it’s a constant reminder of why we push ourselves, why we chase the thrill, and why we’re here in the first place.

Lake Placid, with its frosty beauty and legendary track, was the ultimate test. Walking that chute for the first time, I couldn’t decide if I was in awe or mildly terrified. Let’s call it both. The track is an unforgiving beast, but it’s also a thing of beauty. Every curve, every drop — it’s designed to challenge you, to make you question if you’ve got what it takes, and then to reward you with the kind of adrenaline rush you can’t find anywhere else.

Of course, bobsledding isn’t all glory and speed. There are bruises, ice burns, and the occasional moment where you question why you’re willingly hurtling down an ice chute at breakneck speeds. But those moments are fleeting, overshadowed by the thrill of the ride and the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all.

As the Empire State Winter Games approach, I can’t help but reflect on how far this journey has taken me. It’s not just about the weight lost or the strength gained — it’s about the lessons learned along the way. It’s about realizing that growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. It happens in the sweat-drenched mornings, the icy setbacks, and the moments when you’re so tired you’re considering making coffee an intravenous option.

 

Blobsled, Lake Placid

Brandon Training at Lake Placid

 

Bobsledding has taught me to embrace the grind, to value the team beside me, and to face the track — even when it’s intimidating — with everything I’ve got. It’s shown me that the barriers we think exist are often just in our minds and that the strength to overcome them is already within us.

So, as race day looms, I’m not thinking about winning or losing. I’m thinking about the journey, the people who’ve inspired me, and the thrill of knowing I’ve done something I never thought I could. And if I manage to not crash into a wall, well, that’s just icing on the cake.

Here’s to breaking barriers, building strength, and embracing every twist and turn on the track — because life, much like bobsledding, is all about the ride.

Keep pushing!


Brandon Blackmore, TAPS Education Support Service Advocate and Team USA Para Bobsled Athlete

Photos: Brandon Blackmore