Learning from Mikaela Shiffrin's Mental Game
What Iowa Sports Prep students learn from process over outcome
The 60-Second Story
Mikaela Shiffrin has won more World Cup races than any skier in history. She's an Olympic champion and a dominant force across multiple disciplines.
But what makes Shiffrin remarkable isn't just her results—it's her approach. While other skiers focus on times and positions, Shiffrin focuses on turns. "I don't think about winning," she says. "I think about skiing." This process orientation has created the most successful alpine career ever.
What Your Child Will Learn
| Lesson | The Principle |
|---|---|
| Process Over Outcome | Shiffrin focuses on executing good turns, not on winning. Results follow from process, not from obsessing over results. |
| Present Moment Focus | A ski race is 50-60 turns. Shiffrin focuses on one turn at a time—not the finish line, not the time. |
| Detach from Results | Shiffrin has said she's "let go" of needing to win. This detachment actually improves performance by reducing pressure. |
| Mastery Motivation | Shiffrin is motivated by skiing well, not by beating others. Mastery motivation is more sustainable than competitive motivation. |
| Grief and Performance | After her father's death, Shiffrin struggled publicly. She showed that processing grief is part of being human, not a weakness. |
The Story Behind the Lessons
The Turn-by-Turn Mentality
Watch Shiffrin's pre-race routine. She's not visualizing the trophy—she's rehearsing specific turns on specific gates.
Her mental model: if she executes 55 good turns, the time will be fast. So she focuses on turns, not time. This shifts attention from the uncontrollable (other competitors' performances) to the controllable (her own execution).
The Detachment Paradox
When Shiffrin stopped needing to win, she started winning more. The detachment paradox: by releasing the outcome, you perform better because pressure decreases.
She's talked about "letting go" of expectations and focusing on enjoying the skiing. The joy creates relaxation, and relaxation enables peak performance.
The Public Grief
When Shiffrin's father died in 2020, she didn't hide her grief. She struggled publicly, pulled out of races, and was honest about the impact.
This vulnerability showed young athletes that emotions are human, not weaknesses. Shiffrin eventually returned and continued winning—proving that processing grief doesn't end careers.
The Shiffrin Challenge
| Day | Challenge |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the "turns" in your sport—the small process elements that add up to good performance. |
| 2-5 | In practice, focus only on process, not results. Execute your "turns" perfectly. |
| 6-8 | Before competition, mentally rehearse process (technique) not outcome (winning). |
| 9-11 | Practice detachment: tell yourself "I'm going to focus on execution and let results be whatever they are." |
| 12-14 | Evaluate: Did process focus change your performance or enjoyment? |
| Final | Create a 60-second "You Teach" video: What Mikaela Shiffrin taught you about process over outcome. |
In Their Own Words
"I don't think about winning. I think about skiing."
"One turn at a time. That's all there ever is."
"I've let go of needing the result. I just want to ski well."
FAQs
Q: Isn't winning the whole point? Why detach from it?
A: Paradoxically, detaching from the outcome often improves results. When you stop needing to win, pressure decreases, you relax, and you perform better. The detachment isn't giving up on winning—it's giving up on the anxiety about winning.
Q: How do I help my child focus on process when everyone around them focuses on results?
A: Control what you can: your conversations at home. Ask "How did you execute?" not "Did you win?" Celebrate good process regardless of outcome. Over time, your child will internalize process orientation.
Q: What if my child is dealing with grief or trauma that affects performance?
A: Shiffrin's example shows that it's okay to struggle publicly, to take breaks, to be human. Performance often requires addressing the emotional issues underneath, not just pushing through. Consider professional support if grief or trauma is significant.
Related Athletes
- Tom Brady — Process focus and controlling the controllables
- Dan Gable — Process-oriented training and mastery motivation
- Kobe Bryant — Obsessive focus on craft improvement
Why Shiffrin Matters for Iowa Kids
Mikaela Shiffrin has the most wins in World Cup skiing history because she doesn't think about winning. She thinks about turns.
Iowa kids often face enormous pressure to perform—parents, coaches, and communities invested in outcomes. Shiffrin shows that releasing outcome pressure, paradoxically, produces better outcomes. Focus on execution. Let results be whatever they are.
The grief lesson is also important. Shiffrin showed that processing loss is part of being human, not a weakness that disqualifies you from competition. Athletes are people first.
That's what ISP teaches. That's what your child will learn.