ATHENS, Ga. — Erev King lives for the competition.
The world-class archer is revered for her precision and commitment to the sport.
She is now on her way to compete at the world championship and for a place on the 2024 Paralympic team. For King, archery is much more than just a way to compete - it's her anchor point.
"There's a moment of peacefulness that sets, that nothing else matters," she said. "It's as if there's no time. You're lost. You don't hear anything. You don't know anything that exists other than that moment that you let that arrow go."
That moment means everything to King.
"You have to shoot from your heart. You can't shoot with your mind," she said.
The release of her arrow, letting go of what could have been.
"I take each day, each part of each day, as it is. I don't want to focus on the worst part of where I am," she said.
For the world champion archer, hitting her mark isn't the hard part.
"Learning how to be in a chair, learning how to get around in a world that isn't designed for people in chairs - that is challenging; that's really hard," King said.
Diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2019, she took aim at her disease.
"Shooting is a way for me to find peace with where my body is each day. Yes, I have tremors; I still have to shoot the gold," she said.
The new goal is gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
"It changes the moment you put a U.S. jersey on," King explained. "It changes the moment you hear the announcer say your name."
Ranked 19th in the world, she also coaches archery at UGA and takes time to help the next generation of athletes learn how to handle a bow.
"I don't allow my disease to dictate my life. I don't see MS as creating limits on my life; I see it as creating challenges in my life," she said. "That's not who I am. I refuse to be defined based upon that. I still get up on a horse. I still ride."
Like her arrow, she doesn't quiver. Her aim is true: to enjoy life to the fullest is her bull's eye.
"Back when I was able-bodied, it was incredibly freeing; riding still is to me; it's my love," she said.
So dressage, mounted horse archery, is another way for King to take the lead.
"I would love to go for both archery and dressage; there are very few athletes that compete in two sports," she said.
Hitting that mark would be rare and difficult -- but she is ready to meet that moment.
"There are so many people who I think go through life I think not being aware of the blessing that they have, and many times, I am one of those, because I go at warp speed," she explained. "You get to sit and reflect on how blessed you really are. Being able to share your life in a way that brings meaning and intention is incredible."
The Paralympic Games will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8. King aims to be there.