Cheryl Ziegler lives on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota in one of the nation’s poorest counties. At 17, both of her parents were in prison for drug offenses and her life was coming unraveled. She did time in juvenile detention and while in treatment for alcohol abuse, found out she was pregnant.

Now Cheryl is determined to move away from the bad influences of the reservation. She has taken up boxing and hopes to go pro to make a better life for herself and her 1-year old daughter.

This New York Times video follows Cheryl as she travels to an amateur boxing match with her trainer. Her story unfolds through interviews and scenes from her life set against the backdrop of the roadtrip. The video includes interviews with Cheryl, her mother and her trainer, Ray Hawk, who formed a professional boxing network to help Native Americans rise above lives of hardship.

Before stepping in the ring to box a woman older and heavier than she is, Cheryl says she is inspired by her baby daughter and plans to work hard to make their lives better.

CHANNEL: New York Times

Length: 7:40

By Brent McDonald and Jere Longman
Photos by Damon Winter

Click to View

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