- D
In 2012, I was diagnosed with severe Iliac Artery Compression Syndrome in my right leg (blood flow to my right leg was reduced by about 90% due to the artery thickening, hardening and kinking). At the time, I was devasted and thought my potential athletic career was over. I had already put XTERRA triathlon on hold, after winning the amateur National Championship in 2010 and racing on the professional tour in 2011 because I could no longer run. I was getting by on the Pro USAC MTB Ultra Endurance Tour racing at my own pace with more mental determination than physical.
In May of 2012, an amazing vascular surgeon, Dr. Guzzetta, helped to diagnose my condition and in October 2012 repaired the artery by using a vein grafted from my leg. At the time, this was a relatively new procedure and the recovery was very conservative. The results changed my life. In early 2013, I began racing local road races to get fitness back and test my leg. The change was so huge I found myself excelling in the local road race scence at a fast pace, while simutaneously developing a new passion. Cascasde Cycling Classes was my first NRC stage race, just after I received my Cat 2 upgradem at the end of 2013. I finished 14th GC in a professional field andI wanted more.
2014 brought on new opportunites riding with SPY-Giant-Ride, a regional level club team. We focused on San Dimas and Redlands because they are stage races in our back yard that draw national level talent. I finished San Dimas with two podiums, shocking myslef and fueling my confidence for Redlands. I won the top amateur jersey throughout Redlands and finished 6th GC at my second NRC level stage race, the highest placing in history by an amateur. My mission was to obtain a coveted UCI contract with a professional team for the 2015 season.
One of the most challenging parts of the journey, was running my private chef and catering business, Fit Food by Jess back home, while also launching Harmony Bar. For example, the two rest days between San Dimas and Redlands I went home and squeaked out two 12 hour days of cooking so I could take the rest of the week off for Redlands. The season persisted like this. I had the opportunity to guest ride for a team (FCS) at another stage race and at the USAC Pro Road National Championship. I continued to train like a professional rider, but work like a regular chef to afford myself the luxury of living out this dream.
An unfortunate mechanical and crash at the Pro Road Nationals, stopped me quickly with a severe concussion, broken collar bone and separated shoulder. Due to the concussion, I couldn't return to the national level racing in 2014. Luckily, Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air recognized my potential early in the season, and offered me a contract. My dream could still be acheived.
Preparing for this transition in 2015 I really tuned in and focused over the off season. Putting in a massive base on the bike, working with a coach, documenting everything. I continued the private chef work and catering, as a neceassary means to pay medical bills looming from my crash, and to save for the 2015 season.
In January, I experienced another unlucky twist in the plot. With some pain that came on pretty quickly in my left leg during that month, I discovered my left iliac artery 52% closed, same endofibrosis I had experienced on the right leg. With plans to race the spring classics in Europe with Team USA, and my upcoming team camp, I knew I couldn't and refused to go into the season racing with one-and-a-half legs. I'm a 200% or nothing type of person, plus racing at this level without proper blood flow can be dangerous and damaging to my leg. I decided to get it fixed right away.
To be clear, I don't feel sorry for myslef, I feel lucky that I have a condition with a fixable solution. A solution, that changed my life the first time, and I'm convinced will do the same this time. I will get to be 100% healthy, train and race my bike to my fullest capabilities soon, some of the biggest blessings in this life. I have jumped right into the season and it has been one of them most mentally and physcially challenging experiences ever, but being on a supportive and patient team is helping me excel as we have been shocking the peloton with big results!
While I do have insurance, this series of surgeries, from the first arterial repair, to the crash, to this arterial repair has created quite a financial burden. Deductibles, testing not covered by insurance, missing private chef work, and missing opportunities to race and make prize money (a very important supplement to my income) have become overwhelming.
Anyone who knows me, trains with me, or races with me knows that I put my heart and soul into the sport. I have worked so hard both on and off the bike to make it to this point. Not just for personal goals and desired results, but because of the people and the the community, and the ability to help other people find what I've found in this sport; namely, confidence, focus, friends, respect, drive, and a lifestyle.
I can't express enough gratitude to my family, friends, cycling peers, and supporters for reading my story , believing in, and providing any financial support you can offer. This is only the beginning.
In May of 2012, an amazing vascular surgeon, Dr. Guzzetta, helped to diagnose my condition and in October 2012 repaired the artery by using a vein grafted from my leg. At the time, this was a relatively new procedure and the recovery was very conservative. The results changed my life. In early 2013, I began racing local road races to get fitness back and test my leg. The change was so huge I found myself excelling in the local road race scence at a fast pace, while simutaneously developing a new passion. Cascasde Cycling Classes was my first NRC stage race, just after I received my Cat 2 upgradem at the end of 2013. I finished 14th GC in a professional field andI wanted more.
2014 brought on new opportunites riding with SPY-Giant-Ride, a regional level club team. We focused on San Dimas and Redlands because they are stage races in our back yard that draw national level talent. I finished San Dimas with two podiums, shocking myslef and fueling my confidence for Redlands. I won the top amateur jersey throughout Redlands and finished 6th GC at my second NRC level stage race, the highest placing in history by an amateur. My mission was to obtain a coveted UCI contract with a professional team for the 2015 season.
One of the most challenging parts of the journey, was running my private chef and catering business, Fit Food by Jess back home, while also launching Harmony Bar. For example, the two rest days between San Dimas and Redlands I went home and squeaked out two 12 hour days of cooking so I could take the rest of the week off for Redlands. The season persisted like this. I had the opportunity to guest ride for a team (FCS) at another stage race and at the USAC Pro Road National Championship. I continued to train like a professional rider, but work like a regular chef to afford myself the luxury of living out this dream.
An unfortunate mechanical and crash at the Pro Road Nationals, stopped me quickly with a severe concussion, broken collar bone and separated shoulder. Due to the concussion, I couldn't return to the national level racing in 2014. Luckily, Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air recognized my potential early in the season, and offered me a contract. My dream could still be acheived.
Preparing for this transition in 2015 I really tuned in and focused over the off season. Putting in a massive base on the bike, working with a coach, documenting everything. I continued the private chef work and catering, as a neceassary means to pay medical bills looming from my crash, and to save for the 2015 season.
In January, I experienced another unlucky twist in the plot. With some pain that came on pretty quickly in my left leg during that month, I discovered my left iliac artery 52% closed, same endofibrosis I had experienced on the right leg. With plans to race the spring classics in Europe with Team USA, and my upcoming team camp, I knew I couldn't and refused to go into the season racing with one-and-a-half legs. I'm a 200% or nothing type of person, plus racing at this level without proper blood flow can be dangerous and damaging to my leg. I decided to get it fixed right away.
To be clear, I don't feel sorry for myslef, I feel lucky that I have a condition with a fixable solution. A solution, that changed my life the first time, and I'm convinced will do the same this time. I will get to be 100% healthy, train and race my bike to my fullest capabilities soon, some of the biggest blessings in this life. I have jumped right into the season and it has been one of them most mentally and physcially challenging experiences ever, but being on a supportive and patient team is helping me excel as we have been shocking the peloton with big results!
While I do have insurance, this series of surgeries, from the first arterial repair, to the crash, to this arterial repair has created quite a financial burden. Deductibles, testing not covered by insurance, missing private chef work, and missing opportunities to race and make prize money (a very important supplement to my income) have become overwhelming.
Anyone who knows me, trains with me, or races with me knows that I put my heart and soul into the sport. I have worked so hard both on and off the bike to make it to this point. Not just for personal goals and desired results, but because of the people and the the community, and the ability to help other people find what I've found in this sport; namely, confidence, focus, friends, respect, drive, and a lifestyle.
I can't express enough gratitude to my family, friends, cycling peers, and supporters for reading my story , believing in, and providing any financial support you can offer. This is only the beginning.