Snowboarder Alex Deibold 'still fighting' after 'heartbreaking' Olympic experience

Alex Deibold's snowboarding career has been quite the ride.

The New England native says he was on skis by age two, snowboarding by age 4 and in competitions by age 8, all without much prodding from his parents. After seeing success early on in his athletic career, Deibold was recruited to attend the storied Stratton Mountain School in Vermont, which he graduated from in 2004.

"I'm still here, fighting, 14 years later," he says of the longevity of his career.

%InlineRelated-url="https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/01/02/the-2018-winter-olympics-in-pyeongchang-might-have-a-new-problem-its-too-cold-for-everyone/23321532/" CTA="SEE ALSO" title="The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang might have a cold problem"%

Upon his graduation, Deibold was named to the inaugural United States snowboard team for boardcross. It was an impressive feat, but his sights were set much higher.

When the time came for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Deibold attempted to qualify for Team USA -- and that's when his career really took a turn.

"I came up short," Diebold told AOL.com of his attempt to qualify for the 2010 Games, "but my coach gave me the opportunity to come up and be a technician."

The snowboarder compares the job he had as a wax technician to that of a batboy in baseball.

"It was really, in hindsight, a life-changing experience for me," he said. "It gave me the opportunity to go to the Games and experience it without having the pressure of having to compete, but at the same time, it also lit the fire."

Four years later, Deibold went out for Team USA again ahead of the Sochi Games -- and he made it, largely thanks to his experience in 2010.

"It was heartbreaking being in Vancouver," he said. "But more than anything, the fact that I got to go and be there was really what kept me motivated."

There was one moment in particular that really inspired Deibold while he was in Vancouver: his longtime friend, Seth Wescott, winning a gold medal. Wescott secured the gold in men's snowboard cross and shared a sweet moment with Deibold later that night as the two were celebrating his victory.

"I sheepishly went up to him and I said, 'Hey, Seth, can I see your medal?'" Deibold recalled. "He was like, 'Are you kidding me? Get over here!' He literally just took it off his neck, the night he got it, and put it on me."

It was the first medal Deibold ever saw in person and he was blown away by his friend's generosity. In 2014, Deibold finally won a medal of his own when he placed third in men's snowboard cross.

"I try to remember that experience from 2010 and whenever anybody asks, I share my medal with as many people as possible," he said.

The 31-year-old now hopes to qualify for the games in Pyeongchang and add another medal to his list of accolades.

To learn more, visit teamusa.org. The Winter Olympics will air live starting February 8.