Olympian Allison Baver facing one of the biggest challenges of her life and career - part two - YAHOO!

"Your goals change over the years. You need to think with no limits." - Allison Baver

"I could either go for the gold and take the risk of losing, or I could settle for defeat before I got to the starting line."
Sean O'Brien

In Part 1 of my exclusive Yahoo Sports interview with United States Olympic Bronze Medalist Allison Baver, we learned how her speed skating career evolved through the 2009 World Cup games. Now, let's explore how she is facing one of the biggest challenges of her life and of her career.

Crash and recovery

"In February, 2009, I was contending for the World Cup title in the 1500 meter in Bulgaria. I was in position to win the overall World Cup title. I went to make a pass and someone pushed me."

The incident caused her right leg to shatter.

"I broke my leg in the middle of my tibia, broke my fibula and ankle joint, plus my cartilage was damaged."

Because of the level of medical care available in Bulgaria, Baver's injury was not handled in the best was possible. Her leg was not initially immobilized at the hospital and there were no available crutches for her to use. Surgery wasn't performed until she returned to the United States almost a week later.

Never skate again?

"A surgeon who I initially met with said that I was never going to be able to walk straight again. He also said that I might be able to skate recreationally within the next 3-5 years."

After recovering from the shock of that medical opinion, she checked herself out of the hospital. Shortly thereafter she met with Dr. Wen Chao, who was a foot and ankle specialist in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Chao also refused to accept the other Doctor's opinion of Baver's condition.

That was an interesting point in the conversation, because it revealed an element that I have seen within the minds and hearts of other uniquely positive individuals. People who achieve excellence in their lives naturally seek, or attract, others who would be considered peers on levels of talent and desire. Like Baver, Chao is also the best in her field at what she does.

Chao told her that she needed to achieve perfect alignment in her joints, otherwise her leg was always going to be unstable and she won't be able to fully recover.

Other Doctors had said that she didn't have a choice and had to get a rod for this type of injury, which would have made the joint permanently unstable.

"She told me that it was up to me. But, the only chance I had of ever skating, or walking normally, again was to try and fixate the bones with a plate and screws which caused the risk of malunion."

Baver felt that Chao shared her "no limits" mentality.

"I could either go for the gold and take the risk of losing, or I could settle for defeat before I got to the starting line."

Would an athlete, a champion who was among the best in the world, simply surrender? Hardly.

With less than a year to go before the next Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Baver chose to pursue the riskier surgical procedure.

As she was walking into the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, she made sure to send a text to Dr. Chao.

Two years later, Baver continues to rehabilitate from her injury and has set new goals for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

"Two years out from injury, I'm still rehabbing my ankle everyday. Despite my bronze medal, my focus is to comeback stronger. I am training short track, but decided to try long track and have considered skating both in 2014, if it's possible."

Based upon the depth of her experience, Baver is also using her place on the Athlete Advisory Council, with the United States Olympic Committee, to raise safety awareness concerns.

Off the Ice

In addition to her athletic career, Baver has created her own charitable foundation.

'Off the Ice' is an educational sport movement that uses skating as a catalyst for success to inspire character values, goal development, and healthy lifestyles in children. It also provides skates, related equipment and facilities to communities throughout the world.

"I was with my brother at Temple (University) and there was a guy rollerskating backwards and carrying a boom box. That inspired me to think about kids who are in poor conditions and need assistance.

"My grandmother had lung cancer at the time. It took a year of soul searching as I asked myself how I could really change lives? I have this ability and talent. I realized that it really wasn't about medals, it was about so many other things."

The connected theme of her organizations encourages young people to following their passions and to pursue their dreams.

"I tell them not to allow fear to prevent them from accomplishing the things that they want to do in life.

"For example, if you want to be a snowboarder you are going to have to buy a snowboard, go the mountain and try it. You can't just talk about a dream. You have to actually plan it and do it.

"I also tell them that I have a lot of faith in God and maintain a lot of trust."

Celebrity athlete

While Baver has risen to the top of the athletic world, she also has pursued a variety of other passions. Smartly diversifying her career interests, she has been forged business associations with Proctor and Gamble and Penske Truck Rental.

"People tell me that as a celebrity athlete I have the ability to be influential.

I'm very proud that my hard work has paid off in a big way. I hope that people can use my story and comeback to achieve their dreams and overcome their own obstacles."

Some people are born with and develop their athletic talents. Others are naturally photogenic. Because Baver embodies both qualities, she has also found her place in the field of modeling.

Her association with one of the top modeling agencies in the world, Wilhelmina Models and her recent campaigns with Cover Girl and Pantene have allowed Baver to express her talents in alternative ways.

"I had to ask myself what I wanted to do. The glam-fashion side of me is hard to show on the ice.

"Modeling allows me to be who I really am. The beauty and fashion component is huge to me."

Baver has appeared at many celebrity events around the world and recently appeared in a fashion show for Tommy Hilfiger in California.

Shaping the future

After having surgery last summer, Baver wasn't able to jump, or run, for sixth months. She spent that time reevaluating her goals.

"This rehabilitation from my leg surgeries has been a painful path back to the podium."

In addition to her fitness routine, she became a certified trainer a few years ago so that she could help others to reach their potential.

"I have a goal that I'm working on regarding fitness with a health component. I continue to pursue the modeling part of my career as well.

"This summer I'm starting a campaign that involves rollerblading and I'm also working hard on my foundation."

Interviewing people over the course of two decades, I have found it increasingly easy to recognize a common element of exceptionalism within the minds and hearts of certain individuals.

Through all of her efforts Allison Baver shows each of us to use our talents to the best of our ability. Role models are supposed to be inspiring.

"Your goals change over the years. You need to think with no limits," Baver concluded.

I became an Olympic fan in 1980, when the United States hockey team performed it's 'Miracle on Ice'. I have written professionally since 1990. Follow me on Twitter @ SeanyOB

More from Sean O'Brien and the Yahoo Contributor Network:

An interview with former NFL player Kevin Turner

An interview with former Philadelphia Eagle Vince Papale

An interview with former United States Gymnast Janet Cantwell-Papale

An interview with Blessed 2Play sports talk show host Ron Meyer

An interview with retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.


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