Throughout Charlie’s journey he has found himself repeatedly asking himself one question- WHY NOT? With each challenge he faces, he’s pushed himself forward despite the fear he may have felt or the discouragement of others around him.
Charlie has had many ‘why nots’ but here are a few of the most significant:
*Defecting from Cuba in 2003 after the World Championships in Anaheim would leave him practically alone in a strange country with a significant language barrier and the knowledge he might never see his family again. But for the opportunity to provide a better future for him and his family, Charlie asked himself, WHY NOT?
*After a 6 year hiatus from gymnastics, Charlie made the decision to begin training again in 2009. His body, not the same at almost 30 verses age 22, the work would be harder and recovery slower. Despite the odds and the raised eyebrows, Charlie thought, well WHY NOT?
*Most recently, Charlie faced his largest why not after the birth of his twins, Anthony and Maryanne. It was hard enough to leave his wife and home the first time, moving from San Diego to Texas to train with Olympian Jonathan Horton. Heading back to Houston seemed impossible with those tiny faces staring back at him. But with his family behind him and in the final stretch of a 20+ year road to his Olympic dream, he asked- WHY NOT?
*After a 6 year hiatus from gymnastics, Charlie made the decision to begin training again in 2009. His body, not the same at almost 30 verses age 22, the work would be harder and recovery slower. Despite the odds and the raised eyebrows, Charlie thought, well WHY NOT?
*Most recently, Charlie faced his largest why not after the birth of his twins, Anthony and Maryanne. It was hard enough to leave his wife and home the first time, moving from San Diego to Texas to train with Olympian Jonathan Horton. Heading back to Houston seemed impossible with those tiny faces staring back at him. But with his family behind him and in the final stretch of a 20+ year road to his Olympic dream, he asked- WHY NOT?We have all faced challenges and obstacles in our lives and many of us have pushed forward despite the odds and we want to hear your story. Share your "WHY NOT?" by commenting below.
What's your why not?
I'm sure there were a few raised eyebrows when I decided to leave my job and work on my jewelry business full time. But staying in a job day in and day out that I didn't enjoy and being raised with the encouragement to make money doing something we love to do, I thought- well, WHY NOT?
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