The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina have concluded last month, leaving Team USA with a historic 33 medals—including a nation-best 12 gold medals. Beyond the podium finishes and record-breaking runs, the words of these athletes offer a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and the pursuit of excellence. I’m drawing inspiration from them still, and I hope you will, too.

Redefine Success

Figure skater Alysa Liu, who captured gold in the women’s singles, offered a refreshing take on the pressures of elite competition. After her triumphant routine, she reminded us that the final result is often secondary to the growth experienced along the way:

“Winning isn’t all that, and neither is losing.

It’s just something that happens. What matters is the input and the journey.”

Find Power in Perseverance

The Games also highlighted the indomitable spirit of veteran athletes. Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor finally secured her first gold medal in the monobob after years of near-misses. Her journey mirrors the sentiment that greatness is forged in the “unseen” hours of effort.

Alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin, who returned to the top of the podium in the slalom, captured the emotional weight of her comeback:

“I’m grateful to be here… and proud to be part of this American team.

May we all… have the fortitude to keep showing up”.

Focus on the Process

For those facing high-stakes moments in their own lives, bobsledder

Kaillie Humphries (who won bronze in both the monobob and two-woman events) provided perhaps the most practical advice for overcoming intimidation:

“Push hard, drive fast, see what happens at the bottom. It’s pretty basic”.

So, MaJoVTA Members: whether it is Jordan Stolz setting Olympic records on the ice or the U.S. Men’s Hockey Team ending a 46-year drought, takeaways from the 2026 Olympic Games remain clear:

• Stay focused on what you can control;
• Embrace the process and struggle as fuel; and
• Never stop “showing up.”

M

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