At nineteen years old, Jami was returning from a ski trip with a friend by car when they were trapped in a snowstorm for 11 days. Jami suffered severe frost bite on her toes, ears, fingers and nose, and while the girls were eventually rescued, Jami had to have both legs amputated below the knee. Like many people who lose a limb, Goldman refused to give up on herself. Self-pity is not in her character. She learned to use artificial legs, and while she was adjusting, she earned a BA in child development in 1996 from California State at Long Beach.

Today, twenty-two years later, Jami has competed in the U.S., Germany, Australia, and England and is the world's fastest double amputee, below the knee, among women track runners. She holds the world records in her class of 16.88 seconds for the 100 meters and 38.46 seconds for the 200 meters.

Human Designs fit Jami with her "Cheetah" prosthetic limbs specifically designed for running, with J-design feet to give her a spring. Jami's heels are carbon-fiber so that she has a smooth fluid motion in her gait. She seems to almost glide as she gracefully walks.