Mom, i’m movin’ out! Back 2 flight School

After five grueling months of building my home, it was finally time to head north to Montana and complete flight school. During my last Olympic campaign, I had temporarily stepped away from flight school while continuing my online education to feed my Olympic hunger. Meanwhile, my good friend Liam, who is also a pilot, became a flight instructor in Montana. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to finish flight school with a trusted friend and skilled pilot.

The journey from South Texas to Montana in my van was long—my van only has four gears and cruises at around 55 mph. Slow n steady wins the race! (Sometimes)

Liam and I fly anywhere from 3-5 times a week, depending on the weather. When I’m not flying, you’ll find me either studying, working out, or planning my 2028 campaign.

I’m currently working toward my instrument flight rating, which essentially means I’ll be qualified to fly in clouds and other challenging weather conditions. Mountain flying in Montana has been an entirely new experience compared to the flat terrain of Texas. The mountains create unique air currents that make flying... interesting, to say the least. Back home, it’s so flat that people joke you can watch your dog run away for five miles.

Completing my flight school is incredibly important to me. While my focus is on becoming the best athlete I can be, I believe it’s equally vital to pursue other goals in life, especially when it comes to building a professional career.

I expect to finish up here in Montana by mid-September, and in October, I’ll be back into full-time training. Stay tuned!