HOUSTON -- Sean Golden's road to the Beijing Olympics took a detour through Houston, where he trains full time. The New Jersey native's story is one of courage and perseverance.

Golden had a desire to be a national champion at a young age. But unlike many American boys, Golden did not dream of playing baseball, football or basketball.

Gymnastics came naturally and easily to him.

"I love adventure. I love being as close to danger as I could," he said.

However, the opportunity did not come easily.

Sean's hometown of Camden, N.J., holds the dubious distinction as the most dangerous city in America.

The inner city is not exactly a gymnastics hotbed, but Golden was fortunate to have supportive parents.

"There was a financial struggle for us, but they saw that it made me happy. And to tell you the truth, a lot of parents in this situation, being put in the situation that mine were in, completely would have given up on that dream because I wasn't very good. Dad always joked around with it. 'This is really expensive and you're happy when you get 30th place. Why don't you try something free or less expensive?' But my mom, she just knew how passionate I was about it and found a way to make it work. And I’m so grateful that they did," Golden said.

What Golden lacked in performance, he made up for with determination and desire.

His goal of becoming a national champion seemed preposterous at the time, but one encounter with an encouraging coach changed everything.

"He said, 'I’m going to need you to come into the gym in the summer from 9 to 3. You're only going to get a half-hour break and you're going to see how good you're going to get.' And that's when we finally saw maybe I could do something with this sport, other than be happy I'm doing it," Golden said.

Golden said he also had to endure ridicule from his peers about being a gymnast.

"Gymnastics was looked at as a sport that was done by girls most of the time. So, if you did it, you weren't male or masculine something like that. But, in high school, that's when the muscles and everything else came, so the idea changed behind it," Golden said.

He said even though his path to gymnastics glory was paved with all sorts of challenges, he would not have it any other way.

"I really feel if I wasn't grounded in the beginning of this sport, I wouldn't have the same attitude I do now. I lost so many times that winning is just another feeling," he said.

The twists and turns of life prepared Golden for gymnastics competition and taught him how to land on his feet every time.