Two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin describes herself as inherently cautious in everyday life—adhering to speed limits and avoiding unnecessary risks—yet the 30-year-old alpine skiing phenom routinely launches down icy mountains at speeds exceeding 70 mph with sharpened edges strapped to her boots.
“I can throw myself down a mountain with razor blades on my feet,” Shiffrin said in a recent interview with Bustle. “It’s a pretty special feeling when you can harness that energy and sort of turn it into a gas pedal.”
Raised by two former ski racers, Shiffrin was skiing by age 3, but her ascent to becoming the most decorated alpine skier in history—with 101 World Cup victories since 2012—was never guaranteed. “It was never a given that I would become a World Cup racer, win World Cups, or win Olympic medals,” she reflected. “That was never something I really expected or even anticipated.”
Now aiming to qualify for her fourth Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina 2026, Shiffrin has joined Comcast’s Xfinity athlete roster. As the official communications provider for Team USA, Xfinity will help ensure athletes stay connected with loved ones during the Games—a critical factor for Shiffrin.
“The truth is that one of the most challenging things about being in the Games is how isolating it can be if you don’t have the people you love there,” she said. “Knowing family and friends back home can watch with the best coverage, no matter the broadcaster, makes a real difference.”
Despite the physical toll of global travel and high-speed racing, Shiffrin maintains a disciplined wellness routine. For long-haul flights, she opts for elevated loungewear—“glorified pajamas that look put together but allow sleep on a dime”—and favors coordinated sweat suits.
Her non-negotiables for training and recovery remain foundational: “Sleep and nutrition are key,” she emphasized. “Staying as hydrated as possible is critical, especially when crossing multiple time zones or on flights longer than two hours.”
As the 2025-26 World Cup season unfolds, Shiffrin continues to balance extreme athletic demands with a grounded, holistic approach—proving that even the world’s fastest skiers rely on rest, connection, and smart recovery to perform at the pinnacle of their sport.
