My daughter is so over the top with joy right now. I'm hearing her down the hallway in the room having a phone conversation with her best friend repeatedly squealing, "I just interviewed Matt FREAKIN' Stutzman!"

She has a class assignment to do a PowerPoint presentation on a famous person or athlete. She chose Matt Stutzman known as the Armless Archer. For those who don't know Matt was born without arms and competes as an archer. The man has numerous accomplishments making the US Paralympic Team multiple times, winning the silver medal in the paralympics, world's record for the longest aimed shot with a bow and now competes as an able bodied archer. Competes is an understatement, he took 1st in this year's US Open.

One of my daughter's questions was, "What would you say to those who suffer from a low self esteem that struggle with their mental game?" His response, "I've got no arms, what's your excuse?"

One of the reasons I'm happy my daughter's involved in archery. I know of no other sport where the top athletes make themselves so available. I'm thankful to Matt for taking the time to do this and thankful to him for being an inspiration.

12 minute HBO Real Sports piece on Matt Stutzman. It's also very cool in that it shows the Vegas Shoot which my daughter competes in every year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFMxzyuYoZw

quote:

"I've got no arms, what's your excuse?"

Thank-you!

So cool to read this. I always look forward to reading your posts about her progress and growth in the sport.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
One of the reasons I'm happy my daughter's involved in archery. I know of no other sport where the top athletes make themselves so available. I'm thankful to Matt for taking the time to do this and thankful to him for being an inspiration.

Excellent!!
This guy is an inspiration no matter what hobby or line of work you are involved in.

Very cool, inspirational story.

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