The Hidden Cost of Winning Too Much | Mikaela Shiffrin

The podcast explores the mindset and experiences of Mikaela Shiffrin, a highly accomplished ski racer. Shiffrin reflects on the challenges of managing expectations and pressure from the media, particularly after a season where she consistently won by large margins, leading to performance anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process of skiing well, turn by turn, rather than fixating on winning. Shiffrin also discusses the crucial role of coaching, especially her mother's influence, and the value of sports psychology in navigating stress and anxiety. She shares her evolving perspective on the "GOAT" label and her fear of how people will react if she doesn't win medals at the upcoming Olympics, highlighting her commitment to the sport and its future.