My Advice to Mikaela: Mikaela Shiffrin’s Mom Opens Up to Her Daughter on Her Wish for Mikaela to Both Enjoy the Olympic Winter Season and Be Her Best

As Mikaela Shiffrin prepares for another monumental Olympic season, the words that may matter most aren’t coming from coaches, teammates, or fans—they’re coming from her mother, Eileen Shiffrin. A lifelong mentor, travel companion, and emotional anchor, Eileen has been by Mikaela’s side since her earliest turns on snow. Now, as the 2025–26 Winter Olympics draw closer, she’s offering a message that’s equal parts motherly love and hard-earned wisdom: enjoy it.

“Mikaela has always been so focused,” Eileen shared recently. “Even when she was a little girl, she had this drive that almost scared me sometimes. I just want her to remember that skiing can still be joyful, even in the middle of all the pressure.”

It’s a sentiment that captures both pride and tenderness. Eileen knows better than anyone how much her daughter gives to her sport—the hours of training, the meticulous preparation, the mental exhaustion that comes with being the best in the world. But as Mikaela enters what could be one of the most defining chapters of her career, her mother’s hope is simple: that she doesn’t forget to breathe, to smile, to find the magic that first drew her to the snow.

Eileen Shiffrin has been a quiet force in Mikaela’s rise since the beginning. She has worn many hats—coach, manager, counselor, and protector. More importantly, she has been a mother trying to guide her daughter through a world where expectations can sometimes overshadow the joy of the journey. “I’ve seen what the weight of perfection can do to her,” Eileen said softly. “Mikaela wants to do everything right, and that’s beautiful, but it can also be heavy.”

The Shiffrin family’s dynamic has always been grounded in balance. Jeff, Mikaela’s late father, was her calm center—the one who reminded her to take things one turn at a time. Eileen, meanwhile, has been the voice of structure and accountability. Together, they built the foundation of an athlete who would one day redefine her sport. But as Mikaela matures, Eileen admits her advice has changed.

“When she was younger, my focus was on helping her build good habits—discipline, work ethic, resilience,” she explained. “Now, I just want her to feel free. She’s done the work. She knows what she’s capable of. I want her to enjoy every second out there.”

That shift in perspective hasn’t come easily. Watching her daughter deal with the loss of her father, navigate injuries, and manage the intense scrutiny of being one of the greatest skiers in history has given Eileen a deeper appreciation for the person behind the medals. “I think people forget that Mikaela is still human,” she said. “She has good days and bad days like everyone else. She worries, she doubts, she feels the pressure. But what amazes me is that she keeps showing up. That’s what makes her so special.”

As the Olympic season approaches, the bond between mother and daughter remains as strong as ever. Eileen continues to travel with Mikaela to select races, offering guidance and comfort when the world feels loud. Yet, she’s careful not to overstep. “At this point, Mikaela knows what she needs,” she said. “I try to be there when she asks, but also give her the space to be her own person. That’s part of growing up—for both of us.”

Her advice for Mikaela heading into this season carries the kind of quiet wisdom that comes from years of watching, worrying, and loving from the sidelines. “My advice is simple,” Eileen said. “Ski for yourself. Don’t ski for anyone else—not for expectations, not for critics, not even for me. You’ve already achieved more than anyone could have dreamed. Now it’s time to just live it.”

It’s hard not to hear the emotion in her voice. For all the medals and accolades, Eileen sees her daughter not as a record-breaking athlete, but as the same girl who used to race down the slopes of Vail with a smile that could melt snow. That’s the Mikaela she hopes to see in Milan-Cortina—focused but free, determined but happy.

The pressure surrounding Shiffrin this season is immense. Every race she enters is accompanied by comparisons to legends and questions about her legacy. But if there’s one person who can keep her grounded, it’s her mother. “We talk a lot about perspective,” Eileen said. “About how every race, every season, is just one part of a much bigger picture. I tell her, ‘Don’t lose sight of the girl who loves skiing. She’s the reason you’re here.’”

The Shiffrins’ relationship has evolved over time, from mother-and-child to something more like two strong women navigating the complexities of sport and life together. Eileen has had to learn when to offer advice and when to simply listen. “When Mikaela was younger, I could fix things,” she admitted. “If she had a bad race, we’d talk about it, and I’d find ways to help her adjust. Now, I just try to remind her that she’s enough, no matter the result.”

That word—enough—has become a quiet mantra between them. Enough work. Enough sacrifice. Enough proof. In a sport that demands constant striving, Eileen’s message is a gentle reminder that fulfillment doesn’t always come from more—it comes from peace. “I know she still wants to win,” she said with a smile. “That will never change. But I also want her to enjoy the moments in between. The laughter, the travel, the simple joy of being on snow. That’s what her dad would have wanted too.”

There’s a bittersweet beauty in Eileen’s words. They carry not only the wisdom of a mother but also the echoes of a love story—between a family, a sport, and a shared dream. The Olympics are often portrayed as the pinnacle of competition, but for the Shiffrins, they also represent something more personal: a celebration of endurance, love, and legacy.

As Mikaela laces up her boots this season, it’s clear that her mom’s advice will be running through her mind. Be your best, but don’t forget to be happy. Push yourself, but remember to rest. Win if you can, but never lose the joy.

When asked what she thinks Mikaela’s response would be to her advice, Eileen laughed softly. “She’d probably say, ‘I know, Mom.’ But I also know she means it. We’ve been through so much together, and I think she understands now that success is about more than podiums. It’s about being at peace with who you are.”

As the snow begins to fall and another Olympic season unfolds, Mikaela Shiffrin will chase greatness once more. But somewhere, beneath the roar of the crowd and the pressure of expectations, her mother’s voice will be there—steady, loving, and true.

Because behind every champion, there’s someone who reminds her not just how to win, but how to live. And for Mikaela Shiffrin, that reminder will always come from home.