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 Images

• Monica 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,...