Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser relies on Labrador, Koda, to stay grounded amid immense pressure

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Crouser talks to Fox News Digital about the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris and how he views the Games as the ultimate unifier.

Ryan Crouser’s name is synonymous with the sport of shot put. 

His presence at the Paris Olympics was almost expected after he defended his title successfully in Tokyo in 2021, but a series of injuries this year threatened that. 

Speaking to Fox News Digital, the American shot put star spoke about the challenges of overcoming injury to win gold at the U.S. Olympic trials in Oregon last month, which will give him the chance to make history in Paris – becoming the first man to ever win three gold medals in shot put. 

Ryan Crouser is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in both the indoor and outdoor shot put. (Nulo)

While nutrition and training play a significant role in his physical recovery, a surprising factor in Crouser’s ability to stay mentally focused is his dog, Koda. 

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"She's been a fantastic training partner," Crouser said. "I'm lucky enough to train at home, and so with every workout, I just try to capture the smallest percentage of her enthusiasm. It doesn't matter what we're doing. She's always up for it. It's always exciting, whether it's going out and returning, picking up the shot after my 30th throw, it's still exciting for her to go out there and get it. She's been a fantastic training partner and she's a member of the family, for sure."

Speaking to Fox News Digital on behalf of his partnership with pet nutrition brand Nulo, Crouser said the biggest role Koda plays is helping him separate his performance on the track field from his own "self-worth." 

Crouser, a