Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated female alpine skier in history and a multi-time Olympic gold medalist, has never shied away from the spotlight. But in recent candid interviews and reflections ahead of and following the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the American superstar has opened up like never before about the immense mental toll of her sport, her journey through therapy, and how she’s learning to find peace beyond podiums and records.
At 30 years old, Shiffrin continues to dominate, but her path has been marked by profound challenges—including the 2024 death of her father, multiple injuries, and a frightening crash in Killington that led to a PTSD diagnosis.
Shiffrin has spoken openly about the crushing pressure that comes with being the face of women’s skiing for over a decade. With more World Cup wins than any other skier—male or female—the expectations can feel suffocating. “Pressure is a privilege,” she has said, while acknowledging its heavy side. “But I’m a little bit of a ball of stress most days.” Shiffrin describes learning to let external noise “flow through” rather than fighting it, a mindset shift that has helped her stay grounded.
She has emphasized focusing on process over outcomes—a lesson that became vital after personal and professional setbacks. In her debut podcast What’s the Point, Shiffrin explores the deeper “why” behind competing, interviewing fellow athletes including her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
Following a significant crash in 2024, Shiffrin faced something many athletes quietly battle: post-traumatic stress. She detailed how training sessions would suddenly trigger fear responses she didn’t initially understand. “I realized that I needed to give attention to my mental health,” Shiffrin wrote in a powerful Players’ Tribune essay. Working with a psychologist helped her recognize the symptoms as PTSD and approach recovery with understanding rather than frustration. She described “exposure therapy” through repeated runs on the mountain as a way to rebuild confidence.
Therapy, she says, taught her that it’s okay to not be okay. By digging into her fears and understanding them, she found breathing room again. “PTSD comes in all different varieties,” Shiffrin noted, encouraging others to seek help without stigma.
Despite the intensity of competition, Shiffrin says true peace often comes when she’s fully present on the snow. “When I ski my very, very best, you’re 1,000% at peace with your body on the mountain,” she shared. “It’s beautiful, it’s serene, it’s passionate, it’s powerful.”
Off the slopes, balance has become essential. Her relationship with Kilde, himself a top skier recovering from a life-threatening crash, provides mutual understanding and support. The couple often describe being “a rock for each other,” leaning on one another through injuries, doubt, and the long road back.
Shiffrin has also found purpose in vulnerability. Launching her podcast and sharing her mental health journey has helped her connect more deeply with fans and fellow athletes, turning personal struggles into shared strength.
As she continues competing at the highest level, Shiffrin’s message is clear: excellence doesn’t mean invincibility. It means showing up, doing the work—both physical and mental—and finding joy in the journey. Her story resonates far beyond skiing. In an era where athletes are increasingly prioritizing mental wellness, Shiffrin stands as a powerful example that seeking therapy, embracing vulnerability, and pursuing peace are not signs of weakness—they are the foundation of true resilience.
Whether she adds more medals to her historic tally or not, Mikaela Shiffrin’s greatest legacy may be showing the world that champions are human too—and that’s exactly what makes their victories so inspiring.
