In November 2024 alpine skier Shannon Abeda was three days away from the start of his season in hopes of qualifying for his third Olympic games. He asked his company for any support they could give. Instead, he was laid off. In this episode, Shannon opens up about his skiing journey, from discovering it as a three year-old in Alberta, Canada, to missing out on the 2014 Winter Olympic Games by 0.01 seconds, to carrying the flag for Eritrea at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics, to his journey to the 2024 Olympic Games in Milan. He reflects on the toll of injuries, burnout, post-Olympic depression, and rebuilding after disappointment. You'll hear how he turned setbacks into fuel for growth, and what it takes to keep showing up when no one’s watching. This episode is an inspirational reminder that sometimes our hardest moments are the ones that shape us the most, and that the path to success is rarely a straight line.

Shannon Abeda is a three-time Eritrean-Canadian Olympic alpine skier. Born in Fort McMurray, Alberta to Eritrean parents, Shannon discovered skiing when he was three years old and went on to represent Eritrea at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics after narrowly missing qualification for Sochi in 2014 by just 0.01 seconds. Off the slopes, he holds two bachelor's degrees and a master's, balancing full-time work with elite training. Shannon is passionate about mental health, creative expression through photography and videography, and creating opportunities for the next generation of underrepresented athletes.

Follow Shannon on Instagram and Facebook, and watch him as he competes in his third Winter Olympic Games at Milan 2026 this February.

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