Three-time Olympic gold medallist Mikaela Shiffrin has revealed the extensive psychological work required to manage the intense pressure of competing at the Olympic Games. The 30-year-old American skier, considered the greatest alpine racer of all time, described a process of deliberately "desensitising" herself to the event's aura in the years between competitions.
Speaking on the "Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce" podcast, Shiffrin explained that her four Olympic experiences have been "wildly different." She stated that significant effort, much of it away from public view, was dedicated not just to winning medals, but to arriving on race day with the correct mentality.
A Deliberate Mental Strategy
Shiffrin disclosed that she held numerous conversations with her psychologist this past summer, specifically addressing "all the different feelings surrounding the Olympics." The goal was to "desensitise to the word" and mentally rehearse the atmosphere, including visualising the iconic Olympic colours and vibe.
To further this process, she visited Paris two summers ago to physically immerse herself in a future Olympic host city and acclimatise to the environment. This structured approach extends to her entire lifestyle, which she admits is "all geared towards the sport."
Lifestyle Sacrifices for Peak Performance
In a commitment to maintaining constant physical readiness, Shiffrin revealed she has abstained from alcohol for two years. "I can't afford to be sick, literally ever," she told the podcast, opting instead for electrolytes. She highlighted the surreal contrast between years of training and the fleeting nature of competition, where a lifetime's work is decided "in the blink of an eye," often within a 47-second run.
Her methods for maintaining focus are consistent. During the recent Winter Olympics, she deliberately avoided social media before her races, fearing external content would disrupt her mental state. She also chose not to "set expectations" for the Milan Cortina Games, a mindset she credits for enabling her best performance.
Context of a Record-Breaking Career
Mikaela Shiffrin's career provides context for this intense preparation. With 108 World Cup wins, she holds the record for the most victories in alpine skiing history. She made her Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Games at age 18, winning gold in slalom to become the youngest champion in that event's history.
Her most recent Olympic gold, won in slalom on Wednesday, marked her first victory at the Games since 2018. Looking ahead, Shiffrin's detailed psychological regimen underscores the immense, often unseen, pressure elite athletes face on the world's biggest sporting stage and the professional lengths required to manage it.