I won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. I had to fund my dream myself, and started a GoFundMe to pay my debt.

I won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. I had to fund my dream myself, and started a GoFundMe to pay my debt.

David Ramos/Getty ImagesMonica Aksamit is a 35-year-old Olympian who won bronze for fencing in 2016.Her mom, her coaches, and her prize funded her passion at the start.When she made the USA Olympic team in 2016, she was paid $300 a month and fell into credit card debt.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Monica Aksamit. It has been edited for length and clarity.When I ask people how much they thought I earned as a US Olympian, t…