By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
In the demanding world of elite cross-country skiing, Jessie Diggins stands out not just for her unparalleled achievements but for her raw vulnerability and unbreakable spirit. The 34-year-old from Afton, Minnesota, America’s most decorated cross-country skier, has battled and overcome an eating disorder—not once, but twice—emerging stronger to claim Olympic gold, multiple World Cup titles, and now, in her farewell season, she’s charging toward the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics with relentless determination.
As the 2025-26 World Cup season heats up, Diggins—fresh off her 30th career World Cup victory in Trondheim earlier this month and leading the overall standings—reflects on her journey of recovery, resilience, and one last all-out pursuit of Olympic dreams. “I want to go after the Olympics with everything that I have,” she says.
Roots in the Snow: A Lifelong Passion
Diggins was skiing before she could walk, backpacked by parents who introduced her to Minnesota’s winter wonders. From the Minnesota Youth Ski League to Stillwater High School dominance, she deferred college in 2010 to go pro, joining the U.S. Ski Team in 2011 and the Stratton Mountain School T2 Team in 2012.
Her signature cheek sparkles? A joyful reminder: “I race because I love the sport, and because I find joy in pushing myself to new limits.” Beyond the trails, she’s an adrenaline seeker—skydiving, bungee jumping—and a nurturer, loving cooking, gardening, and adventure.
Triumph Through Adversity: The Hail Mary Races
Diggins’ career shines with moments of pure grit. Her 2018 Olympic team sprint gold with Kikkan Randall marked America’s first cross-country Olympic gold. In Beijing 2022, despite food poisoning and brutal conditions, she fought through cramps to claim silver in the 30km—skiing solo for the final stretch.
“That was my Hail Mary moment,” she recalls. “Nothing to lose, body falling apart—and it worked out.”
Now, in her announced final season (retiring after the 2026 World Cup Finals in Lake Placid), Diggins is peaking at the perfect time, dominating early races and eyeing multiple events in Milano Cortina.
The Hidden Battle: Recovery and Relapse
Diggins’ most profound strength lies in her openness about mental health. At 18-19, perfectionism and anxiety led to an eating disorder that nearly derailed her. Treatment at The Emily Program “literally saved my life,” teaching her it was about control, not food.
A relapse a few years ago brought shame—but also growth. “You can ask for help multiple times… That’s okay.” She shared it publicly, emphasizing vulnerability: “When you let people in, they’ve got your back.”
Racing with The Emily Program logo on her hat, Diggins advocates fiercely: “Start with someone you trust… Say it out loud.” Her message? Recovery is ongoing, and seeking help is strength, not weakness.
These experiences fuel her skiing: Tools from recovery—like digging deep through discomfort—mirror the “pain cave” of racing.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Advocacy
Diggins inspires explosive growth in youth skiing, especially among girls. “Seeing kids enjoying winter makes me so happy.” Her advice: The sport is what you make it—fun family outings or fierce competition.
Off-snow, she serves on boards for Protect Our Winters (climate advocacy) and Share Winter (youth access to snow sports), tying into her vision: Active people, healthy minds, sustainable winters.
As she savors her final laps, Diggins embodies imperfect heroism. “Every human struggles… It’s okay to have imperfect role models.”
“It’s never over,” she says. “Sometimes you take that Hail Mary because who knows what’ll come out of it.”
Follow Diggins’ swan song at jessiediggins.com. Support her causes: emilyprogram.com, protectourwinters.org, sharewinter.org. For personal messages, visit her on Cameo—proceeds fund eating disorder prevention.
Jessie Diggins: A testament to recovery’s power and the heart’s endless drive.
