Shaun White may be pulling in upwards of $15 million a year, but not every Olympian has that luxury. For example, members of the American Speed Skating team get a $500 a month stipend. U.S. slopestyle skier Keri Herman may not even get that much cash. Instead, the 30-year-old Olympian works two jobs and squeezes in her training, in order to make ends meet.

Surely, you must think that athletes can get a sponsor or two. After all, the Olympics are big business and companies are chomping at the bit, waiting to sign these athletes. Plus the American companies can also spout off about how patriotic they are while doing so.

Despite her mad skills on snow and solid international skiing career, Herman has had no suck luck. 

"I can't get a sponsor. I can't get an agent. I've been told -- over and over -- I'm too old. Everyone says they don't care about the Olympics and they want to base their team around younger athletes," said the 30-year-old, declining to name the uninterested sponsors. "It's so frustrating for me because I can win. I can do everything that I should be doing as a pro and I'm struggling. It's so hurtful and it's so hard. I need to find another job."

Without sponsors such as Burton Snowboards providing her with gear, Herman has had to rely on her teammates. She rides with broken ski boots, mismatched pants and jackets, and a lot of heart. She doesn't harbor any ill will against her wealthier teammates either.

Her tenth-place finish in the slopestyle competition won't exactly help her case going forward. But money problems aside, Herman is living her Olympic dream.

"This isn't about sponsors though," she said. "I'm here because I absolutely love skiing. Every day I think to myself, 'Wow, this is so great. I am so lucky.' Sure I need a second job to support myself but I'm here because I love skiing and I could not think of any other way to be happier."

Would you continue to pursue your dreams if you had to work as hard as Keri Herman does? Let me know in the comments section below.