Olympic Snowboarding Star Chloe Kim Opens Up About Relationship Struggles Amid Fame
Chloe Kim, the celebrated two-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, has spent much of her life under the intense glare of the public spotlight. However, her remarkable athletic success did not translate to smooth sailing in her personal romantic life. Long before her current relationship with NFL star Myles Garrett began, Kim reveals that dating often came with unexpected complications that had little to do with love and everything to do with the pressures of fame.
The Strain of Early Success on Personal Relationships
In a candid conversation on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Kim spoke honestly about how her rapid rise to stardom and growing public profile placed significant strain on her past relationships. The snowboarding icon explained that some partners struggled with the imbalance created by her achievements, a dynamic she never intended to become an issue but often felt inevitably did.
"I think there was a weird dynamic shift where it's like, I have my own house that I bought when I was 21. I have all these things, and I'm always busy — people know who I am, I have followers on Instagram," Kim shared, describing the challenges that emerged as her career skyrocketed in her early twenties. By that young age, she had already built an impressive life and career trajectory that few peers could match.
Seeking Understanding Beyond Status and Success
Despite her extraordinary accomplishments, Kim emphasized that she never viewed relationships through the lens of status or competitive success. Instead, she yearned for a partner who could genuinely understand the unique pressures accompanying her high-profile career.
"... It was just hard. Also, I felt just like they didn't understand what I was going through either. ... I just want someone to not be intimidated by me and my success because I don't carry myself in that way," Kim expressed. "I'm not looking at you and being like, 'Oh you suck, because I'm better than you.' I'm trying to be respectful myself and like you as a person but I feel like that's not being appreciated, and I'm kind of just catching strays for no reason. So I was just so over it."
A Turning Point: From Frustration to Unexpected Connection
Kim's frustration reached its peak during the 2025 X Games, where she vented to her physical therapist about giving up on dating entirely. "I was like, 'I can't date anymore. I'm done, I'm just going to be single forever,'" Kim recalled dramatically. "I'm going to get a sperm donor, I don't need a man. I just want kids and I'm going to live happy and free."
This conversation unexpectedly became a pivotal moment. Her therapist, who happened to know Myles Garrett, introduced the pair. The connection blossomed quickly, with the Cleveland Browns defensive end later traveling to Italy to support Kim during the 2026 Winter Olympics. There, she captured a silver medal while competing with a torn labrum in her shoulder, demonstrating both athletic resilience and personal support from her new partner.
Finding Happiness When Least Expected
Today, Chloe Kim and Myles Garrett appear stronger than ever, their relationship proving that sometimes the right person arrives precisely when you least expect it. Kim's journey from romantic frustration to finding a partner who understands the complexities of fame offers a revealing glimpse into the personal challenges faced by elite athletes beyond their sporting achievements.
The snowboarding champion's story highlights how professional success can create unintended barriers in personal life, while also showing that genuine connection can overcome even the most daunting of circumstances.
