From Olympian to Freeskiing Pioneer — How One Woman Rebuilt Her Identity | Wendy Fisher

Wendy Fisher was once one of the fastest women on skis. A U.S. Ski Team racer and 1992 Olympian, she seemed destined for a long career in elite competition. But by her early 20s, she was burned out, struggling with identity and disordered eating, and quietly unraveling inside a system that prized performance over well-being.This could’ve been the end of her story. Instead, it became the beginning of a much more human one.In this episode, Wendy shares how she walked away from ski racing and found her way into big-mountain freeskiing—becoming one of the sport’s pioneering women and starring in iconic ski films like Ski Movie and Global Storming by Matchstick Productions. We talk about her second act in life, how she stayed connected to movement and self-expression, and what she’s learned about letting go, showing up, and staying curious in her 50s.Whether you’re a lifelong athlete or just trying to stay grounded and active as you age, this episode offers perspective, honesty, and a few good powder-day metaphors.🧩 Topics We CoverThe mental toll of elite sport and perfectionismWhy Wendy left ski racing at her peakDisordered eating, burnout, and identity loss in early adulthoodHow one freeskiing contest changed everythingBecoming one of the first women featured in major ski filmsFrom athlete to coach, DJ, and community builderWhat movement looks like now — and how it feels different in midlifeLetting go of guilt, chasing joy, and embracing new chaptersParenting young athletes with honesty and humilityWhat it means to be ageless in a results-obsessed cultureWant to see Wendy ski? Start with Skiing For MyselfMore on Wendy: https://www.wendyfisher.me💜 Want to stay strong, mobile, and capable for decades? Join the Ageless Athlete newsletter — one useful email a week on how to build and protect strength, endurance, mobility, recovery, and the physical capacity to keep doing what you love as you get older.Join here → https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Get up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE 🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathleteTopics: longevity, fitness over 40, endurance training, aging athletes, recovery, injury preventionAgeless Athlete is a podcast about healthy aging for people who want to stay strong, active and capable for life. Conversations explore strength, endurance, mobility, recovery, VO2 max, muscle and bone health, and what it takes to keep doing the things you love as you get older.Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.