“I am so grateful for so many people along my path. I’ve had a lot of very instrumental, supportive people in my career. It is an individual sport, but when I stand in the gate, it’s a whole crew of people that has helped make that moment happen and help me be prepared to do my best.” – Olympian Heather McPhie. Believe in U.S. is the rallying cry of the U.S. Ski Team going into the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. Athletes like Heather McPhie ride on the wings of belief of family, friends and the American public.
Believe in U.S.: Heather McPhie
U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member Heather McPhie made serious waves in 2013 by winning three World Cup events and getting on the podium five times. Looking back, McPhie attributes her entire career to her first coach.
“My first coach was always there for me and I really didn’t have much talent in this sport at all. But I just really loved it and I was passionate about it and he was willing to work with me. That instilled a lot of confidence in me.”
The respect and trust in her coaches only grew over the years and continues today as she prepares for her second chance at an Olympic medal.
“The level of belief and confidence between coach and athlete–you can’t stress how important it is to feel like you have someone there who completely believes in you. I don’t see it as an individual journey. They’re all just as important in getting us to that day prepared.”
With her coaches behind her, McPhie can approach the start gate with the rock-solid belief that she can lay down a truly Olympic run.
“Belief is a really strong word for me. It means that core feeling that you’re completely capable of doing something amazing on any given day and you can hit your run perfectly. Believing in yourself and the mental side of this sport at this level of competition is what it’s all about. It’s the difference.”
It has taken years of training and experience as well as support and resources for McPhie to compete on the international level, which she says simply:
“The support from the U.S. Ski Team is huge. I really couldn’t do it without the support. From our coaching staff and the sport science to my strength coach and helping provide me with a mental coach–the list really goes on and on.”
Just as the athletes couldn’t compete without the friendship and support of their coaches, the U.S. Ski Team couldn’t do it without support from the American public. If you Believe in U.S. and would like to be a part of Heather McPhie and the Team’s quest for gold, please click here to make a pledge to the U.S. Ski Team through the Team’s Medals Madness.
Click here more Believe in U.S. stories of U.S. athletes.
