Mikaela Shiffrin's Golden Moment Fueled by Friendship and Feline Fun
In an exclusive revelation to PEOPLE, alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has opened up about the unconventional support system that propelled her to a historic gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The champion skier, who triumphed in the slalom event on February 18, credits her teammate and close friend Breezy Johnson with providing the perfect blend of humor and wisdom that transformed her mindset before the biggest race of her career.
The Text Messages That Changed Everything
In the crucial days leading up to the Olympic slalom competition, Shiffrin found herself receiving a series of unexpected messages from Johnson. "[Breezy] had this incredibly helpful comment. She kept randomly texting me throughout the week and saying, 'Don't forget you're amazing!'" Shiffrin shared with PEOPLE. These simple, heartfelt reminders served as constant encouragement during the intense Olympic pressure cooker.
However, one particular message stood out above all others, delivering a profound truth that would fundamentally alter Shiffrin's perspective. "She told me, 'Remember that if you're not happy without a medal, you won't be happy with a medal... because happiness comes from cats,'" Shiffrin revealed. The skier described this advice as "perfect, uplifting... But the message is real. That this medal is not going to bring you happiness. So kind of figure your life out before that."
A Shift in Perspective Before the Podium
This philosophical guidance prompted serious introspection from the champion athlete. "When I thought introspectively, I realized there is so much in my life that makes me happy outside of this medal," Shiffrin explained. This realization brought her an unprecedented sense of calm and clarity as she approached the competition.
The Olympic journey had not begun smoothly for Shiffrin. On February 10, she and Johnson had been favorites in the women's team combined event, but after Johnson delivered a strong performance, Shiffrin struggled and they finished in fourth place. Just five days later, she placed 11th in the giant slalom, marking another challenging day on the slopes.
Rather than panicking, Shiffrin adopted a resilient approach. "The Olympic experience just slammed me over the face in the best way," she reflected. "And on the team combined day... It was a very, very big learning experience. There were several things about the conditions in the course that really threw me off... And so we went back out and trained."
Feline Therapy and Serious Support
Beyond the philosophical advice, Johnson also provided lighter moments through her beloved cats. The teammate regularly sent Shiffrin videos featuring her feline companions Nugget and Wolf, creating moments of levity amidst the Olympic intensity. While the cat videos brought smiles and laughter, the underlying support remained profoundly serious and meaningful.
Shiffrin's renewed mindset allowed her to focus on performance rather than outcomes. "I can honestly say I'm prepared to go through this Games and not earn a medal, but I'm not prepared to go through this Games and not put out the best slalom skiing that I can," she declared to PEOPLE.
This mental preparation proved crucial. "So we went, we trained, we got the tools in our belt for that one scenario out of 100 that could happen, and in the end, the slalom day was perfect and beautiful and it was a dream come true."
Triumph on the Slopes
When February 18 arrived, Mikaela Shiffrin delivered a masterclass in alpine skiing. With a clear mind, fortified by Johnson's wisdom and perhaps a few cat videos in her heart, she skied what she described as her best race, ultimately capturing the gold medal in slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
This victory story transcends typical sports narratives, highlighting how genuine friendship, unexpected humor, and philosophical perspective can combine to create championship moments. Shiffrin's journey from early Olympic struggles to golden triumph demonstrates that sometimes the most valuable support comes not from technical coaching alone, but from reminders about life's simple joys—including the happiness that truly does come from cats.
