Playing softball since age 8, Lisa Fernandez was repeatedly told that she would never make it as a pitcher because her arms were too short and she was too slow. Fernandez proved her critics wrong as she pitched her way into history. A collegiate All-American, Fernandez was a key member of the U.S. women’s soft-ball team that captured the gold at the 1996 summer Olympics game. Her success landed her major endorsements from Reebok, Baush & Lomb and Louisville Slugger and her numerous awards including being named NCAA Woman of the Year. Though Fernandez was 28 in the year 2000, she planned to make the Olympic team and made it in addition to playing for the team again in 2004 and an alternate in 2008. Fernandez says, “There are times when the size of your heart is more important than your talent.”