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Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin is entering the pivotal Olympic season armed not just with talent, but with a refined mental strategy for managing the intense pressure that accompanies her status. In recent interviews, she highlighted a newfound emphasis on open, in-the-moment communication with her coaching staff, viewing it as the key to unlocking a new level of performance and mental fortitude.
Fostering a Culture of Unfiltered Feedback
Shiffrin, the all-time World Cup wins leader, recognized that her resume and reputation could inadvertently create a barrier for her coaches, including head coach Karin Harjo and her mother, Eileen Shiffrin, to offer tough love. This realization prompted the star to proactively break down that wall, explaining that her team is now operating with a mandate for unfiltered honesty.
“It’s probably even harder for them to come to me, because I have this resume in the sport,” Shiffrin acknowledged. Her solution was simple but profound: “You don’t need to be scared to tell me what you’re thinking.”
This open dialogue is crucial, especially when facing a non-productive training day. Shiffrin noted that being able to say, in real-time, “I don’t feel that this is productive,” or receiving that critique from a coach, has been an “incredible moment, almost like a flower blossoming.” This level of candidness has allowed the team to access a “world of creativity” they were previously missing, ensuring every session is focused on meaningful improvement.
Normalizing the Doubt and Handling Expectations
Regarding the pervasive pressure of the Olympics, Shiffrin has learned to accept and even utilize the inherent stress. She openly discusses the “doubt and negativity” that can creep in, particularly before a high-stakes race, admitting that the feeling of being “scared” or feeling like a “joke” is simply part of being a high-achieving human under enormous scrutiny.
Her advice to herself and others is to shift the focus away from external outcomes (like winning a medal) and back toward the process. Shiffrin’s core mantra remains: Success is a product of consistent small steps, learning from mistakes, and having the courage to try again.
By actively fostering an environment where she can be vulnerable and receive direct, constructive feedback, Shiffrin is demonstrating that even the most accomplished athletes must continually work on their mental game. Her process-oriented mindset and commitment to team honesty are setting the standard for how athletes can navigate high expectations while striving for longevity in elite sports.