#79 From Olympian to Freeskiing Pioneer to DJ: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Identity—and What It Reveals About Inner Strength, Transformation, and Living with Wonder

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 Cover

• The mental toll of elite sport and perfectionism
• Why Wendy left ski racing at her peak
• Disordered eating, burnout, and identity loss in early adulthood
• How one freeskiing contest changed everything
• Becoming one of the first women featured in major ski films
• From athlete to coach, DJ, and community builder
• What movement looks like now — and how it feels different in midlife
• Letting go of guilt, chasing joy, and embracing new chapters
• Parenting young athletes with honesty and humility
• What it means to be ageless in a results-obsessed culture

Want to see Wendy ski? Start with Skiing For Myself

More on Wendy: https://www.wendyfisher.me

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