Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated female alpine skier in history with over 100 World Cup victories, has long credited her remarkable mental toughness and sustained excellence to foundational lessons instilled by her parents, Jeff and Eileen Shiffrin.
In recent reflections, the 30-year-old American star shared one of the biggest teachings that has shaped her career: “One of the biggest lessons my parents taught me was it’s not over until it’s over… Through it all, my parents were like, ‘Focus on your techniques there’s long way to go’.”
This mantra of perseverance—echoing the classic “it’s not over until it’s over”—has been a guiding principle for Shiffrin, helping her navigate setbacks, intense pressure, and the grind of elite competition. Her parents, both former competitive skiers themselves, emphasized process over outcome from an early age, prioritizing consistent technical improvement and long-term development rather than short-term wins.
Jeff and Eileen Shiffrin nurtured Mikaela’s passion by encouraging quality training, selective racing, and a fun-first approach, even as she emerged as a prodigy. They instilled values like enjoying the process, staying grounded after successes, and viewing challenges as part of a bigger journey. This mindset proved invaluable during tough moments, including grief after her father’s passing in 2020, recovery from injuries, and high-stakes Olympic performances.
Shiffrin’s family philosophy has paid dividends: she’s claimed multiple Olympic golds, World Championship titles, and Crystal Globes while maintaining an unmatched consistency. Her head coach Karin Harjo recently called her “the Michael Jordan of Alpine skiing” for breaking every major record, but Shiffrin points back to her roots—her parents’ reminder that resilience and technique endure when results fluctuate.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach (opening February 6), Shiffrin’s words serve as inspiration for athletes everywhere: stay focused, trust the process, and remember—the journey is far from finished.
With her blend of talent, work ethic, and inherited wisdom, Shiffrin continues to redefine what’s possible in alpine skiing.
