In this installment of Tracy Otto’s spotlight, she shares her favorite line from Lia Coryell, discusses what her daily practice routine is like, gives advice for beginner archers and contemplates what she thinks got her to the Olympic level. The full interview will be released in three parts. Check out Part 2 below!
A360: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
TO: You’re going to have to bleep this out, but the best advice that I’ve ever received was from Lia Coryell. She said KFG, keep f—— going. That stuck with me. That’s so true. You just have to keep going.
A360: Do you compete in other disciplines, like NFAA or 3D tournaments?
TO: No, I haven’t really. I’ve tried indoor. I haven’t really explored very many things just because I haven’t been shooting for very long. It’s only been about three years now, so I haven’t really had the opportunity to just dive in and it’s really expensive. So, the lack of funding is there, and the fact that I just haven’t really had the time or the opportunity. I want to, I really want to. I want to explore and see what else is out there and get respect for what other people do. I just haven’t really had the time or the ability because I’ve been so focused on what I’ve been trying to do.
A360: What is your practice routine like during a normal week?
TO: My body, because of my spinal cord injury, varies day-to-day. I’m a relatively new spinal cord injury in the grand scheme of things. I’m only four years in, so my body is still kind of levelling out. So, it’s really hard for me to predict from day-to-day if I’m going to feel strong enough or if I’m going to feel well enough to be able to shoot the way that I need to. I try to aim for three to five days a week. Again, it really all depends on my body and how it’s feeling and if I’m really up for it. I guess you could say, because I don’t like to pick up bad habits, I don’t want to train if I’m not feeling well or things aren’t going right. I want to make sure that I’m at my peak so that I’m making muscle memory to be at that peak all the time.
A360: What would you say is an ideal practice regimen for a beginner archer?
TO: I’m so new. That’s so hard for me to answer. People ask me, “How do you do this?” or “How do you do that?” I think I really need to start being more introspective, I guess, to learn really what that means and what a beginner archer would have to do so that I could even better explain to people and better educate people.But honestly, I’m really not sure. I can’t give any super expert advice because I shoot so differently. I’ve never picked up a bow able-bodied either, so I don’t know necessarily what proper form would be for them. I just know what proper form is for me and what works for my body.
A360: What steps, do you think, got you to the Olympic level?
TO: Not necessarily steps, but just lots of patience and working through things and learning and really just having fun. I always say this, but I’m always just having a really good time when I shoot my bow, even if I am shooting and I don’t feel very well. The fact that I’m doing it and I’m there, I just have so much fun. You’ve got to start with a dream and you’ve got to start with a big idea that scares the crap out of you and something that just makes you so happy and so excited and can open opportunities for you in so many ways. It is unbelievable. Start with a scary thought or a really fun idea, scary big, and then work hard at it and enjoy it and just keep doing it and just keep going and enjoy your time doing it and spread the love and eventually it all comes around full circle.
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned for Part 3, where Otto will discuss how she improves her form, how she’s preparing physically and mentally for the Games, and what she’s looking forward to seeing in Paris and the Games. Hint: she’s mostly just excited for the opportunity!
Watch Tracy Otto and the rest of Team USA go for gold at the Paralympics starting Aug. 29.
Missed Part 1? Check it out: here.
