“Trying to stay positive.” It sounds simple, but for an athlete who has spent a career under the microscope, it’s anything but. Lindsey Vonn has never been a stranger to criticism, whether it’s doubts about her comebacks or questions about her performances. But through it all, the 40-year-old has remained one of the inspiring figures in skiing history. After all, when she retired in 2019 under the weight of multiple injuries that her body had endured, nobody could have predicted what was to follow.

With a passion for skiing and a determination so intense that there is nothing comparable, the Minnesota native announced her comeback in November 2024, this time with a titanium knee. Lindsey Vonn was thrilled at the prospect of teaming up with Mikaela Shiffrin for the 2025 Alpine World Championships. However, the 29-year-old decided to race in the combined event, partnering with downhill world champion Breezy Johnson. And the two won the Championships! And now with fans criticizing Vonn for her failed comeback, the Olympic champion has a response.

In a recent Instagram post, Vonn opened up about the mental battles that go hand-in-hand with chasing greatness. “Life is short and we only have one shot…we cant give up! Sometimes it’s easy to let negative thoughts get in the way of chasing our dreams,” she wrote, alongside a video capturing her journey so far. All victories, her setbacks, and the relentless drive in one frame! The post wasn’t just a reflection on her past; it was a statement about the present.

With the World Cup event in Kvitfjell and Hafjell on the horizon, Vonn is channeling her ‘won’t give up’ mindset into action. “I’ve been trying to stay positive and be ready for the upcoming races this weekend,” she continued, making it clear that despite the doubts, the criticisms, and the physical toll of a lifetime on the slopes, she isn’t backing down.  “I can’t tell you how many times people told me that I wouldn’t come back. I had two ACL surgeries, MCL meniscus,” she said in 2020. And that by that time she had had nine surgeries!

But despite all this at 40, she isn’t just looking to prove a point—she’s chasing future goals. What a commitment!

Defying doubts and breaking barriers, Lindsey Vonn stays unshaken

Lindsey Vonn is preparing for her comeback and looking towards the 2026 Winter Olympics. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, she dismisses naysayers who ignore the Olympic champion’s potential due to her age, “Been a little frustrating because that’s a close-minded way to think. This is 2025—a lot of things have changed. The conversation is not in the same universe as it was 25 years ago.” She is on a personal mission to break athletic boundaries for all athletes who refuse age limitations.

The decision of Lindsey Vonn to return to downhill ski racing proved to be the result of decades-long strategic planning. “I know people think that I’m insane. But I am actually kind of smart,” she said. She decided to end a career impacted by endless injuries in 2019 yet opted for knee replacement surgery in 2024 which brought her faith in making a comeback.

But with all these challenges and criticism, one question is can Lindsey Vonn truly defy the odds and make history once again?