On this reflective Boxing Day, Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin has gifted the world something far more precious than medals: a profound reminder to pause, breathe, and truly appreciate the miracle of being alive.
The 30-year-old American skiing superstar, who is absolutely dominating the 2025-26 World Cup season with a flawless record in slalom, shared an emotional holiday message that’s resonating deeply with fans everywhere.
“The greatest gift I could possibly ask for is to see the health, resilience, and happiness of those around me,” Shiffrin wrote. “Over the past few years, I have seen more and more how rare it is for all those we love to be truly healthy…and how important it is to cherish those moments.”
She went on to celebrate the raw beauty of human emotions: “A single smile is worth more than words can say. A deep-belly laugh is one of the most contagious sounds in the world. Tears can tell a greater story than we might ever imagine.”
In a gentle call to mindfulness, Shiffrin urged: “When each of these moments inevitably arrive—I wish for each of you to hold them with care, to breathe them in deeply, and to remind yourself ‘You are’.”
“You are here. You are alive. You are trying. You are loved. You are likely in disagreement with someone (for some amount of time). You feel things. You know things. You have much to learn. And you are here. You are.
I am.❤️
Happy Holidays!
Coming from an athlete who has battled back from serious injuries and is now unstoppable on the slopes – eyeing even more glory at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics – these words hit different. Shiffrin’s vulnerability and gratitude shine through, turning a simple holiday greeting into a powerful life lesson.
In a season where she’s reminding the world why she’s the GOAT of alpine skiing, Mikaela is also reminding us what’s truly important off the snow.
This is the post-Christmas feels we didn’t know we needed. 😢❤️ Who’s tearing up and hugging their loved ones a little tighter today? Tag someone who needs this beautiful reminder – let’s spread the love!
