Shiffrin, Voisin, and More Top Women Featured in the Modern Wellness Guide
The Modern Wellness Guide recently launched their Women in Sports Campaign, featuring four of the top athletes in the snowsports industry and two female coaches who are leading the way, including Olympic gold medalists Mikaela Shiffrin and Maddie Bowman, Olympic bronze medalist Brita Sigourney, and seven-time X Games gold medalist Maggie Voisin.
Featured U.S. Ski & Snowboard coaches include Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team assistant women's World Cup speed team coach Karin Harjo, who has paved the way for colleagues like assistant women's World Cup and Europa Cup tech team coach, Katie Twible. In 2016, Karin became the first woman in FIS Ski World Cup history to set a slalom course.
When asked who her role model was growing up, and how she manages the pressure of being a role model for young female athletes, Karin—who has coached Olympic champions Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, among many more World Cup podium finishers—replied,
I’ve been blessed with many role models in my life. The consistent message they all taught me is that you CAN do whatever it is you want to do if you will take the leap of faith it takes to do it. The only thing holding you back is yourself.
Being a coach, in my mind, is a huge responsibility because of the impact you have on people’s lives not only as athletes but as human beings. It’s an incredible responsibility that shouldn’t be taken for granted. We might not be trying to find a cure for cancer but, in my mind, it’s just as important, because of that impact we have.
Being a role model is no different. My goal is always to do whatever I can to help, whether it’s young women or girls, in any way I can. I want to help them learn and grow, and try to help pave the way for them because I think that’s part of what our calling is, as any coach in any profession.
Each of the incredible women interviewed shared what it's like to overcome the competition to reach the top of the podium, or overcome "barriers to earn the same amount of respect and recognition as their male counterparts." They discussed role models, inspiring the next generation of athletes, and beyond.
