Giovana Machado dislikes the cold.

A lot.

Yet, the journey for this Spartan Track and Field athlete majoring in exercise science might end up on a track that weighs more than a million pounds of ice and has to remain below 15 degrees to maximize speed.

The temperature of "Gio's" journey from the warmth of Brazil to the icy tracks of bobsledding is filled with many sharp twists and turns.

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, until she was 17, Giovana's quest for athletic success brought her to Melrose, Massachusetts, where she faced the harsh reality of New England winters and a new country to navigate.

"Outside of the language and the food, the weather was by far the toughest transition," said Gio. "I wanted to pursue a dream in the United States, and I was focused on that goal."

She often told herself, "Vai na fé," which means go forward with faith, and it will all work out—but just keep going.

During the recruiting process, she narrowed down her school choices to "warm weather states." Although a bigger school didn't offer her immediately, she found a home at Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina. There, she excelled in multiple track events and eventually transferred to USC Upstate.

Gio has been a regular contributor to multiple Spartan track events and has etched her name in the record books in the 300m (44.08m) and 600m (1:45.15).

When a local radio station in Boston, a city with a thriving Portuguese community, did a story on her and her success as a Spartan, Gio's journey began to take on a potential new track.  It started with a phone call.

On the other line was Emilio Strapasson, head coach of the Brazilian Bobsled team, who would introduce Gioto a new challenge and an unexpected opportunity.

"What's a bobsled?" Gio recalls asking him.

Gio was getting recruited again, this time for a new type of track--an ice track.

Within months, she was flown to Lake Placid, New York, for a tryout, but Gio admitted there was a lot more "learning and instruction" than trying out to make a team.

"My dad was all about it, and I was still trying to figure out a lot. I watched many YouTube videos, enough to know that when they asked me to do compete in skeleton--it was a quick no."

Drawing inspiration from the iconic film "Cool Runnings," Gio embarked on a journey into the bobsledding world, driven by curiosity and apprehension about the cold.

"Admittedly, I was a little traumatized after that first run," Gio admits. "I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into. I was just glad I didn't flip the car. They are extremely heavy.

"It's always an honor to represent your country," Gio reflects. "It's very humbling. I am blessed to be part of it. I look forward to dedicating more time to it. I hope to also compete for my country in the Summer Olympics."

Despite their vastly different climates, Gio also emphasizes the striking parallels between the two sports, noting that both require "fast starts and explosiveness."

As she balances her commitments to track and field and bobsledding, Gio finds herself navigating the irony of her situation—a warm-hearted athlete thriving in a sport dominated by icy conditions.

"It's funny," Gio admits with a chuckle. "I hate the cold, but here I am, hurtling down frozen tracks in a confined piece of steel."

"Gio has been an integral part of our 400m and hurdle group," remarks Carson Blackwelder, USC Upstate's head track coach. "I'm really interested to see how her sprint skills will translate to bobsled."

USC Upstate Athletic Director Matt Martin recognizes Gio's remarkable journey and the significance of her achievements as an international student-athlete.

"Giovana Machado is not only another successful international student-athlete at USC Upstate but also another one of our Olympic hopefuls," says Martin. "Her journey highlights the caliber of world-class athletes our coaches can attract to Spartanburg, and we're hopeful for many more."

As Giovana Machado continues to race towards her potential Olympic glory, her story serves as a reminder that with perseverance, passion, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, anything is possible—even for a warm-hearted athlete in a cold-weather sport.