Unconventional (Winter) Olympic hero, and all around athlete (-Bode-)

 Bode Miller: Two time silver medalist, two time World Cup Champion, one of Americas greatest Skiers these are the things we all know. But did you know that Bode will again train by himself and not with the American team coaches. Even the name Bode is unconventional, his work-outs are not what normal athletes would find on their training schedule either. Running in river beds, rock hopping and pushing wheal-barrows up hills sounds like a day on the farm, and that is what it is for Bode.

The Organic Farm Bode purchased and his sister runs is in Franconia New Hampshire, not too far from the family home in Easton NH is the site of much of the summer work-outs. The media has played up the growing up roughing it angle and rightfully so, Bode had only an out-house for most of his youth and that makes for an interesting story for a future Olympic Athlete.

 Bode & Steffi Graf: The Miller family owns a summer tennis camp also in Franconia, and had a chance to show off his athleticism as a very young boy. In fact those of us that know Bode, understand you will have your pride smashed playing almost any sport against Bode. He is as you may have guessed a natural at all things athletic, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, golf and the list goes on.

 Playing for the Nashua Pride  Practice with the U.S. Hockey Team

 Bode & I, Have played The Profile club in Franconia NH, The Jack O'Lantern resort in Woodstock NH, and The Famous Mount Washington Hotel Course in Bretton Woods NH, where Bode has a slope side ski house as the official Ski ambassador to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I can personally say not training with the U.S. Ski team hasn't hurt Bode's all-round "great at every sport- status" he has. When we've played golf together, I have watched him hit golf balls that few pros could match.

So in this summer Olympic season, that is my take on Naturally talented athletes, no matter the sport they choose to play today or the season they play it in the good ones make it look easy. Go U.S. Team, we are proud of you and in this case proud to know you.