watching local news - as usual, most of it is not so good
but here's one that is inspiring:
Bemidji Woman Seeking to Become Most 'Extreme Huntress'
Hunting isn't traditionally considered a women's sport, but one Minnesotan is looking to change that.
For the first time in the history of the state, a 26-year-old Bemidji woman is in the top 20 of an international hunting competition.
There's not much that Nikki Rognstad can't do.
From learning to hunt with a shotgun, rifle, and bow from her father at an early age to raising four kids all under the age of six, life moves pretty fast.
But this past January, time stopped for the 26-year-old mother when she received the devastating news she has multiple sclerosis, a nerve disease affecting communication from your brain to your body.
"I felt really bad for myself and really down and I heard too many stories of people just giving up on life and I decided I have four kids and a husband and a long life ahead of me," Nikki Rognstad said.
Five months later, this mighty mom isn't slowing down.
Competing against thousands of women across the globe, Rognstad now finds herself in the top 20 of the Sixth annual Extreme Huntress competition.
"I want to try new things, do new things, take new risks and entering the Extreme Huntress competition was something out there to put myself out of my comfort zone," Rognstad said.
If voted into the top six, Rognstad will compete against the best women in the world during a televised event that airs this fall. Her favorite is hunting white-tailed deer.
"We want to set a good example and want to get other women out there to want to try this sport because a lot of people don't hunt and they don't understand the reasoning behind it," Robnstad said.
Even research shows men aren't the only ones hunting. A recent national study found about 70 percent more women are hunting today than they were five years ago. According to the DNR, in Minnesota the number of women hunting has increased by nearly 15 percent, while numbers have dropped about 16 percent for men.
"I have a lot of family and friends that have always said my dad never took me hunting and that shouldn't stop you," Rognstad said.
For Rognstad, the target never seemed so small after that trip to the doctor in January, but now full of confidence, she's happy to represent Minnesota, and inspire other girls to aim high towards their goals.
Voting ends for the "Extreme Huntress" top 6 on June 1.
Archery is one of my favorite sports and I wish and her kids the best!
Bemidji Woman Seeking to Become Most 'Extreme Huntress' | KSTP TV - Minneapolis and St. Paul