Lindsey Vonn Seeks To Empower Young Girls
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- She grew up in Minnesota and has fast-tracked her way to the best of the best.
Lindsey Vonn is a downhill skier who wants to let young girls know that self-esteem is the key to anything. She was back in Minnesota this week at Afton Alps in Hastings to push her message.
She is the ultimate on slopes from Minnesota, and in some respects, in the world. Vonn is a brand by herself, but it all started with her parents and her push.
"I've always been a pretty determined person, and I've always been oddly motivated, and I was always the first one on the hill and the last one off," Vonn said. "I don't really know why, I just always loved it."
What she loves has not changed. It's the thrill of the moment, the rush of the run.
"I've always loved going fast," she said.
The concept of this day is her own: Take young girls who want to ski and teach them about skiing, but also about growing up and understanding and believing.
"At lot of times, girls at a young age … they're not really aware of their capabilities and they're not encouraged in the right way, you know, those talents can go to waste," Vonn said. "They shouldn't be struggling with self-confidence. They should believe in themselves."
Her life is defined, in part, by winning, and because of how many times she has had to come back from injury.
"I felt like throughout my whole career, I've learned the most from my adversity, from my injuries, from all my setbacks, you know," Vonn said. "From when I didn't finish almost all the races in a season and almost quit, and you know, hired, spent all my money on a trainer to come back."
And one day, who knows where you might stand.
"The best part of my life so far was the Olympics, 2010, when I won the gold medal," she said. "I grew up dreaming about the Olympics, that was my dream as a child. And so having my family there was, I don't know, a very special moment of my life."
Click here for more information on the Lindsey Vonn Foundation.