June 18, 2025

#79 From Olympian to Freeskiing Pioneer to DJ: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Identity—and What It Reveals About Inner Strength, Transformation, and Living with Wonder

1 hour 45 minutes

Wendy Fisher was once one of the fastest women on skis. A U.S. Ski Team racer and 1992 Olympian, she seemed destined for a long career in elite competition. But by her early 20s, she was burned out, struggling with identity and disordered eating, and quietly unraveling inside a system that prized performance over well-being.

This could’ve been the end of her story. Instead, it became the beginning of a much more human one.

In this episode, Wendy shares how she walked away from ski racing and found her way into big-mountain freeskiing—becoming one of the sport’s pioneering women and starring in iconic ski films like Ski Movie and Global Storming by Matchstick Productions. We talk about her second act in life, how she stayed connected to movement and self-expression, and what she’s learned about letting go, showing up, and staying curious in her 50s.

Whether you’re a lifelong athlete or just trying to stay grounded and active as you age, this episode offers perspective, honesty, and a few good powder-day metaphors.

🧩 Topics We Cover

The mental toll of elite sport and perfectionism
Why Wendy left ski racing at her peak
Disordered eating, burnout, and identity loss in early adulthood
How one freeskiing contest changed everything
Becoming one of the first women featured in major ski films
From athlete to coach, DJ, and community builder
What movement looks like now — and how it feels different in midlife
Letting go of guilt, chasing joy, and embracing new chapters
Parenting young athletes with honesty and humility
What it means to be ageless in a results-obsessed culture

Want to see Wendy ski? Start with Skiing For Myself

More on Wendy: https://www.wendyfisher.me

---

🎯 Support this podcast and try Nutrisense

Personalized health data can help us age better and feel stronger. Track your glucose 24/7 and work 1:1 with a certified dietitian to build habits that last. 👉 Get 33% off your first month at Nutrisense!

Love the show? Here’s how to support it. 🚀

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show.

👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter — 2× a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩

Support the show

...more

View all episodes

By Kush Khandelwal