Mikaela Shiffrin is now focusing on slalom after a difficult season that included a fall and the subsequent PTSD.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s journey over the past season has been one marked by immense physical and emotional challenges—a journey that now, as she centers her focus on slalom, underscores the resilience and determination that have long defined her career. Once heralded as one of the most dominant forces in alpine skiing, Shiffrin has now been forced to confront an unexpected adversary: the haunting aftereffects of a near-catastrophic fall that not only left her with a serious abdominal injury but also triggered debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This extensive account delves into her fall, the aftermath of that incident, and how these experiences are reshaping her mental and competitive approach as she prepares to channel her energies into what she loves most: the slalom.

The Fall That Altered a Season

In November 2024, during a high-stakes giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, Mikaela Shiffrin found herself hurtling toward what would become a turning point in her career. On what should have been a routine run—one that had her on track for her 100th World Cup victory—Shiffrin experienced a devastating crash. In a split-second lapse, an overly aggressive line coupled with a momentary misplacement of weight on her inside ski led to a fall that resulted in a deep puncture wound to her abdomen and severe muscle trauma. The injury was harrowing; doctors later described it as being dangerously close to puncturing her colon, a detail that both athletes and fans found terrifying. Although the immediate medical diagnosis cleared her of life-threatening bone or ligament damage, the physical recovery required surgery and an intensive rehabilitation program that spanned several weeks, with every day representing both progress and uncertainty .

Yet, it was not just the physical toll that the crash imposed. For a competitor like Shiffrin—whose identity on the slopes has long been intertwined with precision, speed, and an almost innate fearlessness—the fall proved to be a profound psychological blow.

Facing the Shadows: The Onset of PTSD

In the weeks following the crash, as the winter season progressed and other athletes continued their races, Shiffrin slowly began grappling with the mental scars left by that frightening incident. Flashbacks emerged unexpectedly during training sessions—a rush of images and sensations that would transport her back to the moment of her fall. Describing these intrusive memories, Shiffrin remarked how “flashes” of the crash would appear while she was on the slopes, moments that were both disorienting and emotionally overwhelming. Despite her storied career filled with record-breaking wins and accolades, she found herself battling a mental obstacle that she had never anticipated: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tied directly to the racing mishap .

The diagnosis was as much a shock to her as the injury itself. In a candid interview and through her social media outlets, Shiffrin shared that her mind was “blocked” from fully embracing her pre-crash pace and intensity—particularly in giant slalom, the event where she had sustained her injury. The very discipline that had contributed to her rising dominance suddenly became a source of fear and emotional pain. “It’s been soul-crushing to come to terms with that fear,” she admitted in one of her interviews. The realization that a sport she loved dearly could now elicit such dread was a bitter pill to swallow, and yet it was one that she began to confront head-on.

The Road to Recovery: Physical Rehabilitation and Mental Healing

Recovering from a physical injury is one matter; healing from the psychological trauma it leaves behind is entirely another. Shiffrin’s recovery regimen was multifaceted—drawing upon the expertise of medical professionals, experienced physical therapists, and, crucially, mental health experts. In one revealing episode of her U.S. Ski Team YouTube series, viewers were given a rare glimpse into her therapy sessions, where a psychologist explained that acknowledging the fear and the “flash” responses was the first step toward reclaiming her mental strength .

Her therapy did not promise a linear path, and indeed, the road to mental recovery has proven to be riddled with setbacks and moments of vulnerability. However, Shiffrin’s determination to not let the trauma define her competitive spirit has been evident. Rather than allowing PTSD to sideline her permanently, she chose to integrate the recovery process into her training routine. This meant confronting the moments of terror head-on through gradual exposure and cognitive-behavioral strategies designed to desensitize her to the triggers associated with that fateful crash.

Physical rehabilitation, too, was no small feat. Shiffrin endured extensive physiotherapy sessions to regain core strength and mobility—components that are critical for any alpine skier but especially so for someone recovering from an injury that compromised her abdominal muscles. In these sessions, every movement had to be deliberate, tested, and affirmed as progress. According to her physical therapist, the regimen had similarities with programs used by athletes in high-impact sports like baseball and hockey, where oblique injuries are not uncommon. The integration of these specialized techniques helped ensure that her body could not only heal but also be conditioned for the demands of competitive slalom racing again .

Shifting Focus: Why Slalom?

With both her body and mind in varying stages of recovery, Shiffrin faced one of the most critical decisions of her career—choosing which events to participate in as she made her comeback. The giant slalom, once her forte, had now become a psychological minefield. The intense pressure to replicate past glories in an event that had literally and figuratively cut her deeply was no longer something she felt capable of handling at full intensity.

Instead, Shiffrin has decided to channel her energy into slalom—the discipline that remains closest to her heart and seems, at least for now, less fraught with the traumatic memories of her fall. Slalom requires a blend of agility, technical precision, and rapid reflexes; attributes in which Shiffrin has long excelled. By focusing on slalom, she is not only reaffirming her commitment to her passion but also strategically navigating away from the mental triggers associated with the giant slalom accident.

This shift has significant implications for both her training and her competitive mindset. Focusing on slalom allows her to engage with the sport on her own terms, resetting her mental associations and gradually rebuilding her confidence on the slopes. It is a transformation from a mindset of fear to one of controlled reinvention—finding joy in the technical elegance and rapid successions of turns rather than the high-speed adrenaline of her previous event. In doing so, she is laying the groundwork for a comeback that could eventually see her return to her full multi-discipline dominance once her psychological scars have had more time to heal.

The Role of Support: Family, Teammates, and the Ski Community

No athlete’s story of recovery is complete without acknowledging the support network that stands behind them. For Shiffrin, the encouragement from family, coaches, and especially teammates has been immeasurable. Throughout her recovery, close teammates like Breezy Johnson have provided both moral support and practical guidance. Johnson’s understanding—as someone who has navigated her own turbulent journey through injuries and setbacks—has been instrumental in helping Shiffrin reframe her perspective. Johnson’s simple yet powerful message on social media, emphasizing that “the only thing you can do is keep trying,” resonated deeply with Shiffrin, reminding her that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather a prompt to reinvent and persevere .

The broader skiing community, too, has rallied around her. Fans and fellow athletes alike have expressed admiration for her courage in speaking openly about the mental health struggles that often go unacknowledged in high-performance sports. In a world where athletic success is frequently measured in record-breaking victories and unyielding composure, Shiffrin’s willingness to discuss her PTSD has not only humanized her but has also sparked important conversations about mental health in competitive sports.

Moreover, the support extends beyond words—there has been a palpable change in how training and coaching approaches are addressing mental resilience. Increased emphasis is being placed on psychological readiness and mental health support as much as physical conditioning. Shiffrin’s openness has contributed to a paradigm shift that sees mental fortitude as integral to an athlete’s overall success, and this rebalancing of priorities has benefited many young skiers who now view mental health as equally important to physical prowess.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in a Storied Career

Today, as Shiffrin sets her sights on the slalom races, the narrative is no longer just one of a comeback from injury—it is a story of transformation, resilience, and a redefinition of success. With every turn on the slalom course, she is not just competing against other athletes; she is racing against her inner demons, challenging the fear that once paralyzed her, and reclaiming the joy that initially drew her to the sport.

Her renewed focus on slalom is a strategic move that plays to her strengths. The technical demands of the discipline suit her precise skiing style, allowing her to rediscover her rhythm with less emotional baggage. Each race becomes a step in an ongoing process of mental desensitization—a chance to experience the thrill of competition without the accompanying terror of the past. As she does so, she is slowly rewriting the script of her career: from a narrative of record-setting achievements in every event, to one that now includes the powerful story of overcoming trauma.

Scholars and sports psychologists note that such shifts in focus are common among top athletes who have sustained injuries that carry psychological burdens. By concentrating on an event that triggers fewer traumatic memories, Shiffrin is demonstrating a profound level of self-awareness and adaptability. This approach not only maximizes her chances of returning to peak physical performance but also sets an inspiring example for other athletes dealing with similar issues.

Looking forward, there is cautious optimism among her coaches and supporters. While the full return to multi-discipline competition may be a goal for the future, the present is dedicated to rebuilding and consolidating her strengths. There will undoubtedly be highs and lows along the way, but with a robust support system and a clear strategic shift, Shiffrin is poised to reclaim her place among alpine skiing’s elite.

Conclusion

Mikaela Shiffrin’s decision to focus on slalom after a season marked by a devastating fall and the resulting PTSD is emblematic of the unyielding spirit that has long defined her career. From the physical pain and fear of that fateful day in Killington to the painstaking process of rehabilitation and mental recovery, she has emerged with a renewed purpose and a sharper focus on what truly fuels her passion for skiing.

Her journey stands as a testament not only to the power of resilience in the face of adversity but also to the importance of addressing mental health in competitive sports. As she lines up for her upcoming slalom races, each turn on the course represents more than just a chance for victory—it symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit, a victory over fear, and the ongoing evolution of a champion determined to redefine her legacy.

In an era where athletic excellence is often measured solely by statistics and records, Shiffrin’s story reminds us that the true measure of greatness lies in the ability to overcome life’s toughest challenges. With every graceful turn on the slalom course, she is crafting a new narrative—one where the scars of the past are transformed into stepping stones toward a future filled with promise, passion, and an unbreakable will to succeed.

As the upcoming season unfolds, the skiing world will be watching closely—not just to see if she can add more victories to her illustrious career, but to witness the unfolding of a remarkable journey of recovery, reinvention, and unwavering determination. Mikaela Shiffrin’s focus on slalom is more than a strategic pivot; it is a declaration of resilience that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the sport and inspire countless others facing their own battles on and off the slopes.