Alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin is known around the world for her grace, precision, and unshakable focus on the slopes. But in a recent and deeply personal revelation, the Olympic gold medalist has opened up about a different kind of challenge—one that doesn’t take place on the snow, but inside her own mind. Shiffrin is now speaking candidly about her ongoing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following a traumatic crash that shook her both physically and emotionally.
The crash occurred during the 2024 season, when Shiffrin suffered a violent fall during a World Cup downhill race. Though she avoided severe long-term physical injury, the psychological aftermath has been far more complex and lingering. In interviews and social media posts, Shiffrin has begun to share what she’s experiencing behind the scenes—nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, and a renewed sense of vulnerability whenever she steps into competition.
“For a long time, I didn’t even know how to explain what I was feeling,” Shiffrin said. “Physically, I was cleared. But mentally, it felt like I was still falling.”
This kind of transparency from one of skiing’s most successful and respected athletes is as rare as it is brave. PTSD is a condition most commonly associated with military combat or extreme trauma, but Shiffrin’s openness sheds light on how it can also affect elite athletes. The mental demands of high-stakes sports, combined with the very real dangers of competition, make mental health an unavoidable aspect of an athlete’s well-being.
What makes Shiffrin’s story so powerful is her willingness to speak up—not just for herself, but for others who may be suffering in silence. In doing so, she’s helping to break down the stigma around mental health in professional sports, especially in disciplines like skiing where physical toughness is often expected to translate into emotional invincibility.
Despite her struggles, Shiffrin is determined to continue her career with purpose and resilience. She’s working closely with mental health professionals, relying on her support system, and taking her return to form one day at a time. Her honesty and vulnerability may end up being just as impactful as her countless victories on the slopes.
In sharing her journey, Mikaela Shiffrin is not only reclaiming control over her own story—she’s inspiring others to confront their pain with courage, and reminding the world that even the strongest athletes are still human.