Success Formulas For Everyone: Olympic Gold Medalist Picabo Street

Ever heard of a “gold medal mindset?” This week, we learn all about endurance, determination, and goal-setting for all of us from an Olympic gold medalist. Champion skier Picabo Street shares her journey from the slopes to a life beyond competitive skiing. Picabo offers valuable insights into building resilience, embracing new phases of life, and how to set and recalibrate goals. We are not all Olympians, but we can learn from her just how important support and community are, especially when one is at the top. She discusses the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of sports and how she managed the physical and emotional toll of her career. Listen in to gain actionable advice on how to achieve your own “gold medal” in life, no matter your field.

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Key Moments

“You need to put together a support group for yourself — whether it’s an entourage or just a few people — so you can stay grounded and maintain that intensity.”

“Focus on all the stuff that’s going to make success happen. Make sure there’s no room for the stuff that won’t.”

“Everyone has a second mountain to climb. For me, it was stepping away from skiing and into the next phase of my life.”

Connect With Picabo Street

• Picabo Street Academy http://www.picabostreetacademy.com
• Instagram @picabostreet
• Email: Picabo@picabostreet.info
• The Documentary Picabo
• Picabo Street of Dreams Foundation

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When we think of Olympic champions, we often focus on their moments of glory: their triumphs on the world stage, the medals they’ve earned. But what happens after the cheering stops? In this episode of SuperAge, Picabo Street, an Olympic gold medalist in alpine skiing, offered a rare glimpse into the challenges athletes face after their competitive careers end.

The Reality of Transition

For Street, the decision to retire wasn’t made in a single moment. Instead, it was a gradual process of recognizing that her body could no longer give 100%, and that life beyond the slopes held new opportunities. “There’s more to life than sport,” Street remarked, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the transition. Many athletes, she noted, are unprepared for the emotional and psychological shift that comes with retirement, often because they haven’t fully considered what comes next.

Building a New Identity

One of the key points Street discussed was the need to build a new identity after stepping away from a sport. She likened this to climbing a second mountain — something that many athletes don’t even realize exists until they face it. Street’s advice is to start building the foundation for this new phase while still competing, making the eventual transition less daunting.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Street has faced her share of challenges, including significant injuries that still affect her today. Yet, she views these setbacks as part of her journey. “I think, for what I have done to myself physically, I think I’m lucky,” she said, highlighting the importance of resilience and self-care. She encourages others to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity.

Setting Goals and Adjusting Course

Goal-setting is crucial, according to Street, but so is the ability to adjust those goals as circumstances change. Whether you’re an athlete or a business leader, Street’s advice is to focus on what you can control and be willing to recalibrate when necessary. “If the love of what you do exceeds the effort of doing, success is inevitable,” she said, offering a powerful reminder that passion and perseverance go hand in hand.

Conclusion

Picabo Street’s insights extend far beyond the world of competitive sports. Her experiences offer valuable lessons in resilience, transition, and the pursuit of new goals — lessons that apply to anyone facing a significant life change. Whether you’re stepping away from a career, overcoming a personal challenge, or simply looking to the future, Street’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing life’s next chapter.