In this special episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins for an in-depth and deeply personal conversation about the mindset, training, and heart behind her success. From her early days racing at Minnesota high school meets to becoming one of the most decorated cross-country skiers in U.S. history, Jessie reflects on the long journey of learning, failing, and finding balance in the pursuit of excellence.
Jessie opens up about her evolution as an athlete and person. From her first humbling World Cup starts to her current role as a leader and mentor on the U.S. Ski Team. She discusses how her relationship with longtime coach Jason Cork has shaped her career, revealing how trust, communication, and process-based goals have driven her consistency and joy in the sport. The episode also explores the hard lessons that came with overtraining, learning to listen to her body, and turning past struggles, including her recovery from an eating disorder, into strength and self-awareness.
In classic Diggins fashion, the conversation dives into the “pain cave” that place of pure effort where physical limits meet mental grit. Jessie shares how she developed her now-iconic ability to push past pain and stay present under pressure, and how her motivation has evolved from chasing results to using her platform for something greater. It’s an inspiring, candid, and often funny conversation that captures the true spirit of one of the world’s toughest and most joyful endurance athletes.