Lindsey Vonn’s Got Grit: Lessons From The World’s Most Decorated Female Ski Racer

What's it like to be the very best in the world at something?

Today I explore this question and so much more with a woman who truly needs no introduction.

Not only is Lindsey Vonn the most decorated female skier in history, she's the most decorated skier period – man or woman – in US history.

One of the few world-class, four-event ski racers, Lindsey is a 4-time Olympian, a 3-time Olympic medalist, the only American woman to win downhill gold, and the only American woman with 4 World Cup titles. All told, she has 82 World Cup wins in her career, the most of any female skier in history. Only 4 World Cup wins now separate Lindsey from the record set by Ingemar Stenmark in 1989.

Eclipsing this once thought untouchable achievement is the final goal propelling Lindsey into her final professional season.

Off the slopes, Lindsey is a media mogul. A regular on “Most Marketable” athlete lists, she has been profiled in every major media outlet across the globe and graced the cover of publications such as Fitness, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, TV Guide and many others.

Not enough? Lindsey sank a hole-in-one during one of her very first full 18 holes of golf. So there's that.

Lindsey's victories are self-evident. Less appreciated are the countless obstacles she has faced and overcome over the course of her legendary career. From potentially career-ending injuries to debilitating bouts with depression to weathering the haters and naysayers, Lindsey's trajectory skyward has been neither linear nor charmed. In point of fact, she has tenaciously fought for all everything she has achieved – falling and failing often.

Her motto? When you fall, get right back up. And never, ever quit.

It's Lindsay's fearlessness and relentless persistence that most impresses — qualities I explore as the focus of today's conversation.

So what drives this champion? And what can we learn from her mindset, process and experience?

Listen, learn and enjoy.

Note: the podcast is now available on Spotify and our conversation is viewable in full YouTube at bit.ly/lindseyvonn405

Peace + Plants,

Rich