Former 'American Gladiator' Speaks Out as Member of Homeless Population

In 10 days, when volunteers across the nation begin to count the homeless population, those in San Diego may encounter a familiar face—and one they may be surprised to see.

Debbie Clark, known to most Americans as "Storm," is homeless in San Diego.

The former American Gladiator has been living shelter to shelter for months in the region and now has $13 to her name and a 10-year-old son to care for.

But, she’s not losing hope. In fact, she sees her setback as a time to speak out on behalf of the homeless population and for women who may be in the same position.

The reasons behind her homelessness dig back further that just the past few months though.

After seeing success as an American Gladiator from 1990-93, Clark continued her athletic career by participating in competitions ranging from basketball to triathlons to becoming a member of the Olympic European Handball team; in most competitions, she earned medals.

The University of Nebraska alum, who earned a degree in psychology, even went to Johnson & Wells University, where she earned a certificate in culinary arts.

And over the years, she’s ventured into various industries from working for DuPont Automotive in Florida to working with organizations focused on disadvantaged youth in South Carolina.

“I’ve worked 62 jobs in my lifetime,” she said. “It’s not something to brag about but it’s the case. And with each job, I’ve moved.”

During her professional career, Clark had in vitro fertilization and gave birth to her son, Crayton, in 2000.

Clark said her life took a turn in 2008 while living in South Carolina.

At the time, she began living with her “friend.” The man, who is an FBI agent, became distressed when Clark refused a sexual relationship, she said.

“He basically put a gun to my son’s head and said if he couldn’t have me, nobody could,” she said. “I diffused the whole situation and within 12 hours, my son and I were long gone.

“I didn’t report him. You don’t do anything like that to a 26-year-veteran of the FBI. You pick your battles and you don’t pick them with the people in the FBI.”

Clark hit the road with Crayton and drove to San Diego because she promised him they would live at the beach, just as they did in South Carolina.

“So we just got into our van and drove and drove and drove,” she said. “We ended up in Ocean Beach in about a week and a half.”

After two years of living in San Diego and working at Gold’s Gym, Clark is now homeless because a knee injury made her incapable of working and she has yet to qualify for any government assistance.

“I’ve been in a wheelchair, I’ve been in crutches,” she said. “I’m not supposed to be on my feet, and my doctor won’t give me a medical release.”

After transitioning from the YWCA of San Diego County to Becky’s House to St. Vincent de Paul, Clark is now staying at a hotel in San Diego and pawning items as she goes along.

Now, the woman who once made $1,500 a day as a “Gladiator” has $13 and few possessions of value.

Her son, who is attending Monarch School in San Diego, needs a home. Not only that, she said he has a number of allergies—including to dairy, nuts, wheat, oats and seafood—so she needs to be able to earn an income that can accommodate his needs. 

“He is so beautiful, and I’m so proud of him. He really is the reason I exist, and I just wish I could be the mother to him as he is the son to me,” she said. “I need to cook for my child. I need to get back to my routine.”

Her child, and the lessons she has learned about homelessness as she moves from shelter to shelter, is why she’s taking her past image to speak out now—not to get sympathy, she said, but to shine a light on the issue of homelessness and even empower other women, as she did before.

“There are certain degrees of homelessness, and it’s not an easy life,” she said. “It’s exhausting. I had insomnia for the last two weeks because you always have to be on your guard, and I need to protect my son.”

And it’s more than just speaking on behalf of the homeless population or speaking as a member of the homeless population.

“The thing I want people to take away from this story is, it’s not easy but it’s not impossible to get back on your feet. I just need to get over this obstacle and help other people do the same.

“There’s empathy and there’s sympathy,” she said. “I am empathetic now. I look at them the way they look at me.”

According to the Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH), an estimated 8,574 individuals are homeless in San Diego County in 2010. Also in the region, 10,040 people "spent at least one night in a San Diego emergency shelter or transitional housing program," the task force reports.

The report also states that "homeless mothers have three times the rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" and they "have ulcers at four times the rate of other women."

RTFH will be conducting the county’s annual Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 28 with the help of volunteers. To volunteer, visit rtfhsd.org/events.html

Check back with Poway Patch Wednesday for a story on Point-in-Time Count.