A with Lindsey Vonn

DTell us about yourself, where did you grow up and what sparked an interest in competitive skiing?

LI was born in Minnesota and started skiing on Buck Hill, a staggering 260 vertical feet. Even before I could ski, I was on the slopes with my Dad in his backpack when he coached at Buck Hill while simultaneously attending law school. I actually started skiing at 2 1/2 and was racing by 7. My introduction to skiing was thanks to my Dad, but I immediately fell in love with the sport, even though I can’t stand the cold. I have always been competitive, so the combination of my love for the mountains and ski racing was perfect for me. By the time I turned 9 I was showing talent, and at the age of 12, my family made a significant move to Colorado to provide me with better skiing opportunities. My parents also wanted my siblings to have a shot in the sport, as I was the oldest of 5 kids, the youngest 3 being triplets.

DHow did you first become involved in skiing and what inspired you to pursue it at an Olympic level?

LI always loved skiing, but my perception of what I could do in the sport changed when I met my idol, Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street, at an autograph signing at a ski shop in Minnesota. That encounter left an indelible mark on me and ignited my dream to become an Olympian. I went home that day determined, and made a 10 year plan with my Dad on how I could make it. Even though I faced many obstacles and adversities along the way, my determination never wavered in my pursuit to become an Olympian.

DWhat kind of physical and mental preparation goes into competing at the highest level of skiing, and how did you maintain that level of focus and discipline?

LIt took dedicating my entire life to the sport to get to where I did in ski racing. To be the best at something is incredibly hard, but to stay there consistently is even harder. The world sees you when you win, but most don’t see the countless hours of training in the gym and on the slopes to get you to that point. I believe to be successful in any endeavor in life, on or off the slopes, requires grit, determination, and the willingness to make profound sacrifices.

LBefore my injuries, I was in the gym 2-3 times per day, at least 5-6 times per week. I never had a mental coach and instead built my competitive confidence in the gym, and was able to refine and perfect my routine by trial and error. I also learned from whomever I was around, and soaked up any exercises or techniques that might help me.

My approach to skiing, no matter how fast I became, was that I could always be better. No one is perfect and I will spend my whole life learning and evolving.

DAs an accomplished athlete, you have become an inspiration to many. How do you use your platform to encourage and support young aspiring skiers and athletes?

LI always come back to my perspective as a 9 year old girl meeting my idol, Picabo Street. Her kindness left a profound impact on me. She was not just an accomplished ski racer, to me, she was also a symbol of possibility. When I encounter any young person, I have the mentality that if I am kind and present to that person, I can have a positive impact in their life. If I’m lucky, I could even help them aspire to achieve their dreams, like Picabo did for me. This fundamental idea is the core of my foundation. The Lindsey Vonn Foundation wprovides scholarships and programs for underserved girls, with the aim of inspiring and empowering them with any endeavor in life. It is not focused on sports, but about inspiring young girls and giving them the tools they need to realize they “can”.

I’m committed to using my platform to make a meaningful impact. Whether it’s sports, business, or the boardroom, I want to empower people through example and encouragement that they can reach their goals.

DCan you share any plans or goals you have for the future in your skiing or personal career?

LI am thankful to have worked my way into a position where I am now in boardrooms, involved in making investments and pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. The relentless dedication and hard work that propelled me to become an Olympic champion has equipped me with valuable lessons and a platform to build upon since my retirement from skiing. I have my ski line with HEAD, my eyewear company YNIQ, and ongoing partnerships with Under Armour, Rolex, Redbull and Range Rover (to name a few). I am also the founder of my own production company, Apres Productions, as well as my foundation, the Lindsey Vonn Foundation. It’s safe to say that I have plenty to do in my post-racing career.

DTell us about your book, Rise: My Story

LI have experienced a lot in my life, both on and off the slopes, and I felt compelled to share these experiences with the hope of offering inspiration and guidance to others on their own journeys. RISE goes beyond skiing, it’s about life, and rising up from adversity and challenges, learning from those experiences and realizing who I am as a person. This is a far more complex question to answer than the simpler identity of who I am as an athlete. I also speak about mental health, which is a significant aspect of my personal journey. Ultimately, I hope it helps people, and I hope my children will be proud to read it one day.

DTell us about the HEAD Legacy Line & YNIQ Eyewear.

LI’ve been a HEAD ambassador since 2009, but it’s only within the past five years that we’ve worked on creating my very own ski line, the Legacy Line. It has been a labor of love and something I’m very proud of.

My aim is to bring improvements to the ski industry. My deep appreciation for fashion, coupled with needing high-performance clothing, has been the driving force behind the Legacy Line. I’ve strived to harmonize these two elements, fashion and function, to craft what I believe can become the ultimate ski line available. Similarly, with my goggle and eyewear company, YNIQ, we’ve pursued a parallel path of mixing extreme performance with incredible style. The result is unparalleled in the market, offering a unique blend of performance and style. My hope is that people will enjoy the quality and style that they bring on and off the slopes.

My HEAD Legacy Line is available to purchase at Saks Fifth Avenue and HEAD. com, and my goggles are available to purchase at Yniq-usa.com.