MONTICELLO, Minnesota — We all know Team USA for women's soccer is awesome. Turns out, America is also top notch when it comes to power soccer.
Power soccer is a soccer game designed for those who use a power wheelchair. Six wheels on the hardwood are all it takes for Nathan Mayer to get fired up.
"I'm my hardest critic but I always look to my dad for more criticism and to push me harder," Nathan said on Monday before his training session with his father. "Between the two of us, I know we can push each other pretty hard."
Pushing limits is Nathan's M.O. When he trains, he trains until fatigue. Always asking for one more kick before calling it quits.
Several years ago, when Nathan set a goal for himself to end up on Team USA for power soccer, he knew 'no' wasn't going to be an answer.
"I threw doubt at him when he tried out for the last time because most of that team was returning," Nathan's father Tracy Mayer said. "'You have a big hill to climb, don't get your hopes up too high if you get cut,' he was in the gym 70 out of 100 days leading up to it."
That kind of intensity and tenacity has always been a part of Nathan. He's outgoing, friendly and has a bubbly personality. However, when he's talking competition or personal growth, he's all business. Perhaps that kind of drive comes from hearing a lifetime of 'no's.'
"Did many people tell you that you can't do a lot of things?"
"Oh, a lot of people did, I took that as motivation," Nathan replied. "Most people said I wouldn't live. People said I couldn't go to school. People said I couldn't play sports."
Doctors told the Mayers that Nathan's prognosis with type two Spinal Muscular Atrophy didn't look good when he was born.
"He was eight months old, it was pretty much...I was in shock," Tracy said. "They said go home and love him, he's not going to live at the age of two. In my mind it was like when is he going to get the first shot to fix it?"
Now, at 21 years old, the only shot Nathan thinks about is the next one he's going to block as a goalie.
"If somebody comes in and says we can't do it, I'm going to say I'll prove you wrong, I'm going to do it," Nathan said.
Of course, in true Nathan fashion, he never rests on his laurels. Outside of Team USA and soccer, he goes hard at life too.
"I'm a full time student at the University of Minnesota," Nathan said. "Studying product design."
This summer, he's spending his time at Best Buy as an intern. He said he loves corporate life.
"My manager-- he's telling me he saw what I can do and didn't see my chair," Nathan explained. "Which meant a lot, that he can look beyond that and actually see me and not be afraid of what I can't do and see what I can do."
As Team USA makes its way to Brazil for the America's Cup on Sunday, it will be all about seeing what they can achieve.
The America's Cup is a qualifier for the 2021 World Cup in Australia.