What It’s Really Like to Watch the Olympics as a Retired Olympian

What It’s Really Like to Watch the Olympics as a Retired Olympian

Shannon’s February (Olympic month!) Update

OMG… haven’t these Milan Cortina Winter Olympics been absolutely stunning!!!

There have been heartbreaking moments. Unfinished journeys. Unfathomable disappointments.

And then… there are the moments that stop time.

The underdogs.

The teammates who share a podium.

The performances so brave, so raw, so fearless that you can feel the entire journey behind them.

These Games have held it all. And honestly, that’s what I love most.

Watching Now Feels Different

As I sit on an airplane headed to Italy to cheer on Team USA in person, I’ve been reflecting on what it’s actually like for me to watch the Olympics now.

You might think it’s simple.

Turn on the TV. Soak in the energy. Cheer wildly. Feel proud.

And I want it to be that simple.

Sixteen years after retiring, this is the closest it has ever been.

Because here’s the honest part.

Until the day I retired, my entire existence revolved around being the best I could possibly be. Every day. Every hour. Every ounce of effort. Gym. Mogul hill. Sports psych office. I poured everything into trying to beat everyone. That was my world. That was my purpose.

So for a long time, watching the Olympics came with a complicated cocktail of emotions.

Longing… and a desire to still belong.

Because those athletes were living the life I once gave everything for, and a part of me still wanted to feel seen and valued for the Olympic journey I had and the tireless amount of work, love, and grit I poured into my sport.

Sadness.

For the teammates, the friends, the closeness, the shared hotel rooms, the shared dreams. Twelve years of living inside a traveling family… gone in an instant.

And the “what ifs.”

Even with two Olympic medals, the questions still whisper about the GOLD.

What if I had worked on more mental skills?

What if I had sacrificed differently?

What if I had trained smarter?

What if… what if… what if…

And maybe the hardest truth of all:

No matter what I do in this life, I will never feel that exact thump in my heart again as I push out of an Olympic start gate.

I will never hear my name announced as an Olympian in that way.

I will never walk into Opening Ceremonies shoulder to shoulder with heroes I once only watched on TV.

I will never feel “Olympic ready” again.

That reality took a long time to make peace with.

The Beautiful Shift

But here’s the beautiful shift.

This year, those heavy feelings feel quieter.

In their place: Gratitude. Awe. Love. Deep understanding.

I see moms still chasing dreams, and it gives my daughter permission to believe she can do anything at any age.

I feel the mountains and thank them for shaping my life.

I feel the fire of the underdogs daring to rewrite their stories.

I see favorites rise to the moment and show kids that preparation plus belief can create magic.

I see the world pause its chaos, even briefly, to gather around hope, courage, and fair competition.

I feel immense respect for the sacrifices these athletes make.

And overwhelming gratitude that I once lived inside this world… and in many ways, still do.

I feel Olympic.

This is the first Olympics where the negative emotions are no longer driving the bus. They’re in the back seat, whispering softly, while gratitude, pride, and peace sit up front.

Maybe it’s age.

Maybe it’s time.

Maybe it’s healing.

Whatever it is, it feels real. And it feels like a deep breath I’ve waited years to take.

My mom used to cry at every Olympic commercial, every story, every race.

Now… I get it.

I cry because I know what it costs.
I cry because I know what it means.
I cry because I’ve been there.

I’m part of it.

I’ve always been part of it.

And now I get to cheer with a full heart.

I’m so proud of the athletes in my own sport of mogul skiing and also of the debut of the new Olympic event, dual moguls. The women taking two of three podium spots in both events. The men fighting hard and making America proud. Such a strong and dominant team!!!

So proud of Team USA and so grateful to be heading back to the Games in-person for the first time since retiring in 2010.

Let’s go, Team. I believe in you. You’ve got this.

Quote of the Month

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well.”

P.S. Super proud of what we are building at Champions Advantage. With over 500 youth athletes in our program, we truly are building a world where young athletes are equipped with the mental skills I wish I had at their age. If you want to know more about our programs and how we inspire kids, please reach out here!!

My 3 Favorite Milan Cortina Moments Thus Far

American mogul skiers Jaelin Kauf and Elizabeth Lemley sharing the podium…..TWICE!!!
Italy’s Federica Brignone coming back from a career-ending injury to win gold in Super-G AND GS. AMAZING!!
Just the sheer dominance of Team Norway in the cross-country events. They are making it look like so much fun!!!

See you in the next blog,