STRATTON, Vt. — Jessie Diggins, the standout cross-country skier with a history of remarkable achievements, finds herself in a season marked by both challenge and reflection. With the Milan Cortina Olympics on the horizon, she approaches her final season on the World Cup circuit at the age of 34. Known for her resilience, Diggins has carved her name into the annals of cross-country skiing as the most decorated American ever, boasting a gold medal from the 2018 Olympics in South Korea and multiple medals from the 2022 Beijing Games.
Diggins embraces the pain associated with her sport, regarding it as an integral part of her journey, stating, “I’m greeting my pain with gratitude… It’s a sign that I’m getting everything out of my body.” This perspective stems from a deep-seated understanding of herself and her limits, cultivated over years of rigorous training. Her approach hinges on a calculated analysis of energy expenditure, as she evaluates her body’s capacity to handle discomfort while pushing through to the finish line.
Her father, Clay Diggins, noted that the ability to confront pain is not just an innate quality but a mindset developed through shared family experiences in the great outdoors. Jessie recalls being inspired by her father’s own endurance during races, which instilled in her a commitment to persevere through discomfort. Her mother, Deb, emphasized that early experiences outdoors taught Jessie that giving up is not an option, particularly in challenging conditions.
As Diggins reflects on her journey, her high school coach, Kris Hansen, highlighted her exceptional commitment to improvement. “Jessie is constantly evaluating what is her weakness, and then she leans into that weakness and corrects it,” he noted. This relentless pursuit of self-betterment has led to an impressive tally of 31 individual World Cup race wins and 76 individual podium finishes.
Looking ahead to the Olympics, Diggins continues her intensive training regimen at the Stratton Mountain School, where the facility acts as both gym and laboratory for her athleticism. Despite previous successes, including a challenging race during the 2022 Games marred by illness, she learns and adapts from every experience—transforming struggles into valuable lessons that shape her as an athlete.
As she prepares for her last competitive season, Diggins remains a beacon of hope and resilience for young athletes. Her journey illustrates that the path to victory is often paved with pain, but it is a pain that can lead to growth, learning, and remarkable achievements in the face of adversity. Diggins’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from embracing challenges and thriving within them, inspiring future generations of athletes to chase their dreams with the same unyielding spirit.