Mikaela Shiffrin, a renowned alpine skier, adopted innovative mental strategies to clinch a gold medal in slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Facing a demanding season, previous injuries, and intense public scrutiny, Shiffrin meticulously prepared herself, focusing on affirmations and self-trust. Her journey highlights the profound impact of mental fortitude in elite sports, demonstrating how conscious psychological work can transform challenges into triumphs, ultimately leading to an Olympic victory and reinforcing her legacy in the sport.
Mikaela Shiffrin's Path to Olympic Gold in Cortina d'Ampezzo
In the vibrant Italian city of Cortina d'Ampezzo, leading up to the highly anticipated 2026 Winter Olympics, alpine skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin embarked on a distinctive mental conditioning regimen. Taped to her bathroom mirror were an array of sticky notes, each bearing powerful affirmations such as, "You have the ability. Go and EARN what you want," and "I am loved, and this is going to be a great day. It's going to be so FUN to try!" This practice, a first in her illustrious 15-year World Cup career, was a deliberate shift for her fourth Olympic appearance. Speaking from Austria, where she was with her fiancé during a break from training, Shiffrin revealed to Women's Health her desire for a "clean slate" at the Milano Cortina Games.
The Olympics have always evoked complex emotions for Shiffrin, a blend of positive anticipation and lingering anxieties. Having secured three Olympic medals previously—a gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games, and both a gold and a silver in Pyeongchang in 2018—her journey wasn't without setbacks. A medal-less performance at the challenging 2022 Beijing Games, followed by a series of injuries including a severe abdominal puncture and muscle trauma in a 2024 crash, made her return to the 2026 Games a quest for redemption. She successfully achieved this, earning a gold medal in slalom and setting a new record for the longest interval between individual gold medals in the same event.
Her triumph was largely attributed to extensive psychological preparation. Throughout the previous summer, Shiffrin collaborated closely with her psychologist, engaging in both individual and group sessions with her team. Conscious of her usually chaotic schedule during the World Cup season, she prioritized energy conservation for the Olympics. However, upon arriving in Cortina, the planned downtime presented an unexpected challenge, forcing her to confront her thoughts and anxieties. This period led to frequent, candid discussions with her psychologist and her mother, who also serves as a key emotional support, where she vocalized her fears of public criticism regarding her performance. It was during this introspection that the sticky notes emerged as a crucial tool to articulate and visualize her desired mindset for the start gate.
Shiffrin candidly acknowledged the profound impact of public opinion, stating that negative comments, including threats, could be overwhelming. She emphasized the importance for young athletes to view doubt as a potential superpower and to cultivate an inner voice stronger than external criticisms. During the Olympics, she strategically curated her Instagram feed to display only calming content like DIY and home organization, providing a mental sanctuary. By the conclusion of the Games, Shiffrin had developed a stronger sense of self-trust, recognizing that criticism is an inevitable part of staying true to her values. Despite her Olympic victory, her competitive spirit endures, with her sights set on the World Cup slalom title. The "work doesn't stop" remains her guiding mantra, reflecting an unwavering commitment to continuous effort and improvement in her skiing career.
Mikaela Shiffrin's journey at the 2026 Winter Olympics offers a powerful lesson in resilience, mental preparation, and self-belief. Her reliance on personal affirmations and strategic management of external pressures underscores that even elite athletes must constantly nurture their mental well-being to achieve peak performance. This experience serves as an inspiring testament to the fact that true success is not merely about physical prowess but also about the profound strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity and external critiques.