Mikaela Shiffrin, the undisputed queen of alpine skiing and the all-time leader in World Cup victories, is trading her skis for a microphone—at least temporarily. The 30-year-old Colorado native and two-time Olympic gold medalist announced the launch of her debut podcast, “What’s the Point with Mikaela Shiffrin,” set to debut later this week as she gears up for the 2025-26 World Cup season.
The bi-weekly series, presented by Stifel—the title sponsor of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team—promises an intimate look into the mental and emotional engines powering elite athletes, and potentially celebrities, toward peak performance. Episodes will delve into the “twists and turns” of competitive skiing, Shiffrin’s personal triumphs and setbacks, and broader conversations about resilience, motivation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.e133d2 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, with ambitions to expand to in-flight entertainment systems like United Airlines, the podcast marks a significant pivot for Shiffrin, who has long been the subject of interviews rather than the one asking the questions.
“I’ve got big, big dreams with the podcast, but at the same time, this is in the infancy stage,” Shiffrin shared in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of her season-opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, on Saturday.2db885 “It’s a daunting venture to slide into the interviewer’s seat after years of being the one interviewed. But I want to share stories about what drives people—athletes, maybe even celebrities—toward success.”
The podcast’s cheeky title stems directly from a question Shiffrin fields more often than she’d like: “Why are you still doing this? You’ve won everything. Why do you care?”04e31b With 100 World Cup wins under her belt—including a historic 100th victory in Sestriere, Italy, earlier this year—Shiffrin has shattered records across all six alpine disciplines. Yet, her drive remains unyielding, fueled by a philosophy of continuous growth that she hopes to unpack with guests.
Shiffrin drew inspiration from the wildly popular “New Heights” podcast, hosted by NFL stars Travis Kelce and his brother Jason. “I wish I had a sister, because the way they play off of each other is so incredible,” she admitted, lamenting the lack of a sibling co-host but vowing to bring her signature authenticity to solo episodes and future collaborations.13cb90 Fans can expect 8 to 10 episodes in the inaugural season, evolving from Shiffrin’s existing “Moving Right Along” web series, which has chronicled her off-slope reflections over the past three years. One teased highlight: a segment featuring longtime rival Petra Vlhová of Slovakia, whose competitive banter has pushed Shiffrin to new heights.
This venture is more than a side project; it’s the cornerstone of a broader brand evolution for the skier, who recently unveiled her first-ever personal logo in collaboration with design agency Wunder Werkz and Skylark.1951d4 As Shiffrin contemplates life beyond the gates—post-skiing options that could include coaching, broadcasting, or philanthropy—the podcast serves as a platform to demystify the high-stakes world of professional athletics. It’s a space to celebrate not just the podium finishes, but the grit required to keep showing up.
Shiffrin’s foray into podcasting arrives at a pivotal moment. Fresh off her 100th World Cup win and amid a resurgent season, she’s not just dominating slopes but redefining her legacy off them. For listeners tuning in, the message is clear: Success isn’t about the endpoint—it’s about the point of it all.
