Mikaela Shiffrin on Love, Resilience & Laughter as Medicine with Aleks Aamodt Kilde | WTP Ep. 1

Mikaela on Love, Resilience & Laughter as Medicine with Aleks Kilde | WTP Ep. 1

When Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde sit down together, it’s not just another conversation between two world-class athletes—it’s a glimpse into a love story built on shared dreams, resilience, and the healing power of laughter. In the first episode of “With the People” (WTP), the skiing power couple opened up about their relationship, the struggles behind the spotlight, and the lessons they’ve learned about life, love, and recovery—both physical and emotional.

A Love Born from Respect and Shared Passion

It’s easy to see why fans are drawn to Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleks Kilde. They’re both elite athletes at the top of their sport, but what makes their relationship special isn’t just their shared medals—it’s their mutual understanding. “We both live in a world that demands perfection,” Mikaela said. “That pressure can be isolating. But when you find someone who understands that feeling, it changes everything.”

Their story began as a friendship, built over years of crossing paths on the skiing circuit. Aleks, the charming Norwegian speedster, and Mikaela, the American technical genius, were competitors first—but connection came naturally. “I always admired her drive,” Aleks recalled. “Not just the way she wins races, but the way she works when no one’s watching.”

What started as admiration turned into something deeper—a relationship rooted in mutual respect. They found not only a partner but a mirror: someone who understood the sacrifices, the fatigue, and the emotional rollercoaster of elite competition.

Resilience Through Shared Struggle

Behind their radiant smiles and light-hearted social media posts, both have faced immense personal challenges. Mikaela’s career, though historic, has been marked by grief and mental strain. The loss of her father in 2020 left a void that she admits still feels raw. “I didn’t think I’d be able to ski again,” she said softly. “There were days when I couldn’t even get out of bed.”

Aleks, too, has had his share of setbacks—serious injuries, surgeries, and the psychological toll that comes with trying to return to the slopes. Yet, it was during those moments of pain that their bond deepened. “We’ve both seen each other at our lowest,” Aleks explained. “When you go through that with someone, it’s not just love—it’s trust.”

Mikaela nodded in agreement. “He helped me laugh again,” she said. “And that was something I really needed.”

Laughter as Healing

If there’s one thing that stands out in their relationship, it’s the way they make each other laugh. Fans have seen it in interviews and Instagram videos—Mikaela’s soft giggles and Aleks’s playful teasing. But behind that humor lies something deeper: laughter as medicine.

“Sometimes people assume that athletes are strong all the time,” Aleks said. “But we’re human. We get tired. We get scared. Laughter brings us back to balance.”

Mikaela added, “It’s not about pretending everything’s fine—it’s about finding little moments of joy even when things aren’t perfect.”

Their shared sense of humor became a kind of emotional glue, keeping them grounded through long training seasons and the unpredictable chaos of life on the road. “He makes me laugh every single day,” Mikaela admitted. “Even when I don’t want to.”

The Balance Between Two Superstars

Being two of the biggest names in alpine skiing could easily create tension, but both insist that their relationship is not a competition. Instead, it’s a partnership. “We push each other, but not in a way that adds pressure,” Mikaela said. “It’s more like inspiration. When I see him fight through something hard, it makes me want to be better—not to beat him, but to match that energy.”

Aleks echoed the sentiment. “We’ve both learned how to support each other without losing ourselves. That’s not always easy,” he said. “We have different schedules, different disciplines, and sometimes we’re on opposite sides of the world. But the respect stays constant.”

It’s that respect that keeps them steady. They’ve mastered the art of celebrating each other’s victories and comforting each other through the losses. “If one of us has a bad race, the other doesn’t try to fix it,” Mikaela explained. “We just listen. Sometimes, that’s all you need.”

Finding Joy Beyond the Slopes

While skiing brought them together, it’s the moments away from competition that have truly strengthened their bond. Whether it’s hiking, cooking, or simply sitting in silence after a long day, they’ve found peace in the ordinary. “We don’t always talk about skiing,” Aleks said with a grin. “Sometimes we talk about food, dogs, or random things that have nothing to do with sports. That’s when we’re just… us.”

Mikaela agreed, saying that learning to slow down has been one of her biggest lessons. “I used to think that if I wasn’t training or working, I was wasting time,” she said. “But Aleks taught me that rest, laughter, and love are just as important. They make everything else sustainable.”

Their shared downtime often turns into comedic adventures. “He’s terrible at cooking,” Mikaela teased, laughing. “But he tries, and that’s what counts.” Aleks shot back, “She’s the perfectionist in the kitchen too. I once got scolded for cutting onions wrong.”

Moments like that, they say, remind them that even in a world obsessed with results, happiness often lies in imperfection.

Lessons in Love and Resilience

Throughout the episode, what stands out most is the maturity in how they speak about their relationship. It’s not just about romance—it’s about growth. Both Mikaela and Aleks have faced enough setbacks to understand that love isn’t about avoiding pain, but finding someone who helps you endure it.

“I used to think resilience meant being tough and never breaking down,” Mikaela reflected. “But now I see that resilience is about letting yourself feel, fall apart, and still choosing to get back up. Having Aleks beside me has helped me do that.”

Aleks added, “Resilience is also about gratitude. You realize that no matter how hard things get, having someone who believes in you makes the weight a little lighter.”

Their partnership, they both admit, isn’t perfect—but it’s real. Built on honesty, laughter, and an unspoken understanding that life, like skiing, comes with unexpected turns.

Looking Ahead—Together

As they prepare for another demanding season, the couple seems more united than ever. “We both have big goals,” Mikaela said. “But we’ve learned that you can chase dreams without losing each other in the process.”

Aleks smiled, looking at her with the quiet pride of someone who knows what they’ve built isn’t fleeting. “We’re lucky,” he said simply. “We have love, we have purpose, and we have laughter. That’s a pretty good combination.”

In a world that often romanticizes perfection, Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleks Kilde’s story is a refreshing reminder that real love thrives in vulnerability, humor, and mutual strength. Their laughter isn’t just playful—it’s defiant. It’s proof that even in the most high-pressure arenas, joy can still win.

Conclusion: Love as Strength, Laughter as Healing

Mikaela and Aleks’s story isn’t a fairytale—it’s better. It’s grounded, authentic, and filled with lessons about partnership, patience, and healing. Through heartbreak, loss, triumphs, and setbacks, they’ve found something enduring: a connection that celebrates both resilience and imperfection.

In Mikaela’s own words, “Love doesn’t make life easier. It just makes it worth it.”

And as long as there’s laughter echoing between them, it’s clear—they’ve already found their greatest victory.

Mikaela Shiffrin Interviews Her Fiancé, Aleksander Kilde, Another Ski Racer, on Her New Podcast

Mikaela Schiffrin recently released the first episode of her own podcast, and she chose to interview her fiancé, two-time Olympic medallist and fellow ski racer Alexander Kilde, to kick off the new endeavor.

The most successful alpine skier racer in history recently released the first episode of her own podcast, and she chose to interview her fiancé, two-time Olympic medallist and fellow ski racer Alexander Kilde, to kick off the new endeavor.

“What’s the Point? Aleksander Kilde, a true Viking, one of the best speed skiers of our generation, and a brown cheese expert, is our very first visitor.

Shiffrin’s first episode of What’s the Point with Mikaela Schiffrin is a comprehensive 1.5-hour discussion that gives viewers an inside look at what it takes to succeed at the top levels of competitive skiing and keep a solid relationship, particularly when spending a lot of time apart because of their hectic schedules.

The two even alluded to the possibility of beginning a family in the future while exchanging war stories about injuries and protracted recuperations that are typical in a sport where competitors throw themselves down ice slopes at highway speeds. Their mutual admiration is evident, and their chemistry as a relationship is simple to comprehend.

We are eager to watch all eight to ten of the episodes that will be released over the course of the winter. Miki deserves congratulations on the pod!