Dealing with grief is so much more complicated than it seems. Even Mikaela Shiffrin can’t let her emotional letdowns affect her mental health. The Olympic gold medalist has more wins than any alpine skier in history and has won ESPY for the best athlete in women’s sports. But there were times when she also had to deal with mental health problems, especially after she lost a dear one very close to her. At this time, she spoke with a clinical psychologist rather than just her mom (who she thought was her best psychologist). 

The Olympian recently reflected on the mental health struggles she faced after losing her father. “The last couple of years, since my dad passed away [her father, Jeff, died unexpectedly in 2020], I felt like some of the challenges I faced mentally and emotionally existed outside of the field of sports. It was the first time that I started speaking with a clinical psychologist. It’s been tough to have consistent meetings, but I try my best to get sessions in when things are intense,” she said while talking to the media agency SELF.

Shiffrin was struggling with mental health issues since her father passed away unexpectedly from a fall. The issue reached the point where she even questioned whether she still wanted to ski in the future or not. However, she decided to get back to competing in the 2022 World Cup, six weeks into the season. She secured the overall World Cup title. But she quickly emphasized personal success didn’t instantly erase her grief. Shiffrin also has admitted that throughout her career, she often felt “alone in feeling nervous and anxious and fearing what the media would say” about her performances.

Shiffrin first realized the importance of prioritizing her mental health after experiencing severe performance anxiety following her victory at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Her gold medal win at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics intensified the pressure, forcing her to find ways to manage her emotions. Multiple athletes went through the same struggle. Simone Biles had an issue with ‘twisties’ which she later overcame in style in Paris. Like, even the aqua gladiator, Michael Phelps, went through moments of self-doubt.

She found comfort in small but meaningful activities—rewatching Friends, playing music, and using the piano and guitar as therapeutic outlets. Learning to play instruments over a decade ago became an essential tool for relaxation and stress relief. You can try it out, too!

Mikaela Shiffrin’s story is a reminder that even the strongest athletes are not immune to the emotional weight of grief and anxiety. Her willingness to speak openly about her struggles helps break the stigma around mental health in sports. While she continues to dominate the slopes, her journey proves that seeking help and prioritizing well-being is just as important as any gold medal.

She is finding her way forward through therapy, music, and simple joys—one race at a time. Despite her injury and mental health struggles, she has won her 100th World Cup now.

The never-ending struggles of Mikaela Shiffrin before the 100th World Cup win

Notably, Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a historic 100th Alpine skiing World Cup win on Sunday with victory in the slalom in the Italian resort of Sestriere. The American, who returned to action in January after two months out with injury, finished 0.61 seconds ahead of second-placed Croatian Zrinka Ljutic. With this achievement, the 29-year-old became the first skier (male or female) to reach triple digits in World Cup race victories.

Shiffrin, the world’s most successful alpine skier, has previously spoken about her mental health struggles in returning to competition after a freak race injury. She had been set for her 100th victory in December when leading the second leg of a giant slalom race in Killington, United States. However, she crashed out near the end of the run, somersaulting into the safety nets. The crash left her with a puncture wound and muscle damage to her stomach. It was a pretty scary thing to watch on TV. She spent two months recovering before making a grand return to racing at the end of January.

Ahead of her comeback, Shiffrin revealed she was also dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the crash and the injuries that followed. The physical recovery was one battle, but overcoming the mental barriers took just as much effort. She has openly acknowledged how the pressure and expectations in her career have compounded her struggles, making her journey to the 100th win all the more remarkable.

Despite these challenges, Shiffrin’s return to competition and ultimate triumph became a testament to her resilience. Her historic 100th World Cup win isn’t just about records—it’s about perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and proving that even the greatest athletes must fight battles on and off the slopes. Her journey continues to inspire athletes worldwide, proving that mental and physical strength go hand in hand in achieving greatness.