“Honestly, as negative as it was, it was a really positive thing,” Lindsey Vonn told LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky. While this statement may sound like an oxymoron, Vonn explained why something negative gave her the motivation she needed to succeed in skiing. Vonn ranks #3 among the women who have won the most World Cup races. Yet, things didn’t start this way.

Although Olympian loved skiing and worked hard, the 16-year-old failed to win the faith of her coaches. In 2002, ahead of the Winter Olympics, Vonn overheard one of her coaches discussing her possibilities. Unfortunately, she didn’t like what she heard. “Maybe you didn’t have what it would take to make it to the Olympics,” Roslansky revealed the coaches’ statement.

It was a rejection the four-time overall World Cup winner wasn’t ready for. “It was really hard to hear that. I cried for a long time… You hear someone essentially telling you, you’re not good enough at 16 years old,” Lindsey Vonn told the LinkedIn CEO. However, the alpine skier changed her perspective of the situation, vowing to change her coaches’ opinion.

“It was devastating. But at the same time, I kind of gritted my teeth,” said the 39-year-old. Although she had limited time, the athlete set out to prove herself and earn her spot on the Olympic team. “I said, That’s not true, that’s not the case. I’m gonna change their opinion. I know what I’m capable of.” Vonn thought to herself as she ramped up training.

Through sheer will and hard work, Lindsey Vonn secured her spot on the 2022 Olympic team. The former World Champion earned a place on four U.S. Winter Olympic teams, starting in 2002. By the end of her Olympic career, Vonn had claimed three medals, including a gold at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. It all began with that fateful day in 2002.

“I think that drove me for a long time, not just in that season,” the eight-time World Champion wrote to explained during her conversation with Ryan Roslansky. While the Olympian had to push herself beyond her limits at 16, it instilled a work ethic that helped her set unforgettable records.

Lindsey Vonn went from inadequate to making alpine skiing history

Since making her first Olympic team in 2002, Lindsey Vonn embarked on a record-setting career. With four Overall World Cup titles and 82 World Cup race wins, Vonn dominated the alpine skiing world during her prime. While fellow Team USA icon Mikaela Shiffrin has surpassed many of Vonn’s records, there’s one record Vonn holds that remains untouchable.

In January 2024, Lindsey Vonn became the first female alpine skier to tackle one of the world’s most challenging courses. While men have been racing down the infamous Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria, since the 1940s, the 39-year-old made history as the first woman to do so. Even more impressive, Vonn took on the daunting slopes at night, four years after retiring from competitive skiing.

“Thank you, @redbull, for making my dreams come true,” the 39-year-old exclaimed after the historic feat. It also became an example of Vonn’s resilience. The athlete suffered numerous injuries throughout her career but continued to race until she couldn’t anymore. Just months after conquering the Streif, Vonn had to undergo knee replacement surgery.

Just as her coaches’ rejection didn’t stop Lindsey Vonn at 16, physical challenges didn’t prevent her from making history. It’s no surprise that the Olympic gold medalist now says what once felt negative in 2002 turned out to be a blessing in disguise.