What does it take to be a world-class athlete in one of the most grueling winter sports out there? This week, we meet Stephen Schumann, a Nordic Combined skier in his ninth season with the U.S. National Team. Currently competing on the World Cup Circuit, Stephen is training hard and aiming high as he works toward his second Olympic Games appearance at Milano Cortina 2026.

In this episode, Stephen shares the inside scoop on life as an elite athlete, including:

• What it's really like to compete in Nordic Combined—the only Olympic sport that blends ski jumping and cross-country skiing
• How he manages the mental and physical toll of year-round training and global travel
• What keeps him motivated through setbacks, injuries, and near-misses
• How chasing your second Olympics is a different kind of challenge than the first

Whether you're a winter sports fan, a fellow athlete, or someone chasing your own big goal, Stephen’s story will inspire you to stay focused, dig deep, and keep showing up, even when the conditions aren’t perfect.

You can follow Stephen at https://www.instagram.com/stephen_schumann/.

Learn more about how to support US Nordic Combined at: https://www.usskiandsnowboard.org/teams/nordic-combined