Star Actress Shiffrin Discusses a Striking Lapse in Command
Skiing phenom Mikaela Shiffrin recounts her battle with PTSD following a series of traumatic incidents
Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in alpine skiing, has spoken candidly about her struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following several accidents in her career.
Last November, while aiming for her 100th World Cup victory, Shiffrin suffered a severe crash at Killington that left her with a dangerous abdominal injury. This incident, coupled with a previous crash in January 2024 in Cortina, contributed to her PTSD diagnosis.
In the aftermath, Shiffrin felt physically healed but described feeling disconnected during her training regimen. Intrusive thoughts of past accidents and injuries plagued her, leading her therapist to diagnose her with PTSD.
However, the road to recovery began with continued training. "Most of the time, things are okay," Shiffrin stated. Over time, her body responded positively, eventually leading to her 100th and 101st World Cup wins and a gold medal in the team event at the World Championships in Saalbach.
Shiffrin intentionally opted against defending her giant slalom title at the 2025 World Alpine Ski Championships, focusing instead on overcoming her mental challenges and returning to competition with renewed vigor. The experience of racing again proved liberating, enabling her to experience the full range of emotions that her sport offers.
Shiffrin's struggle with PTSD sheds light on the complex interplay between athletic performance and mental health. Traumatic incidents, including serious accidents, continue to affect her approach to the sport and recovery process. Her courage in speaking candidly about her mental health serves as an example for others in her field.
I'm not going to be able to do this, Mikaela Shiffrin admitted, as she grappled with the challenges of balancing her commitment to science-backed health-and-wellness practices, such as therapies-and-treatments for her mental-health issues, alongside her passion for sports after her struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The skiing phenom, who stepped away from defending her giant slalom title at the 2025 World Alpine Ski Championships to focus on her mental health, emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health in the realm of sports.
