Performance PTSD

10 Aug Performance PTSD

Winter sports fans know Olympian Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the world’s greatest alpine skiers. She crashed through a gate in November of last year, suffering a 3” abdominal stab wound which cut her deepest core muscle (and other gruesome details).

Weeks later, Shiffrin’s physical therapist launched a multiphase recuperation program. With a strong intention and intense workouts, her muscles healed. But Shiffrin’s therapist kept her coaches away to remove outside pressure. Team Shiffrin headed for France to compete with less than a week of ski training. She finished 10^th and would literally stop in the middle of the run. Shiffrin had PTSD and would mentally relive her crash and the pain of her injury. Her body had healed, but not her brain.

Coach Karin Harjo then had Shiffrin use short recreational skis on soft snow– simple, safe environments to rebuild her confidence. By the end of the 2024 season, Shiffrin’s team won the combined event and Shiffrin won not only her 100^th World Cup slalom, but also the last slalom race of the season in Sun Valley, Idaho. She was back and then some.

Performance PTSD can also affect speakers after a stumble, rejection or wipeout. If you experience this condition, model Shiffrin. Return to short presentations in low-ante environments. Introduce a colleague. Deliver an elevator speech (self-introduction). Facilitate a panel. Or give a five-minute overview of your latest project to colleagues. Savor your successes and build your confidence until you’re ready for more important presentations or larger audiences. Keep focused on your intention to get back in the game and succeed.