Olympic champion Chloe Kim taking a break for her mental health

After dominating the slopes at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games Chloe Kim became the first woman to win back to back gold in Olympics snowboard, half pipe cementing herself as one of the biggest stars to come out of this year’s games. I sat down with the two time Olympic gold medalist to find out what’s next for her. Take *** look, I want to dig right in with you and say, okay, when athletes typically win their gold medal, this is something they’ve been working to over the course of their life You had mentioned in 2018 after making history with yours, you threw it in the trash very briefly retrieved it, but it was all because of this breaking point you reached in mental health now post olympics 2022 how are you doing this time around? I’m doing *** lot better this time around and I think that’s the biggest difference is, you know, *** lot of the times the first time is just full of surprises, but this time I really knew what to expect, so I didn’t spiral the way I did after my first one, but you know, that was *** really hard time for me and I’m really honestly grateful for that experience because I think I grew *** lot as *** person and I learned *** lot about myself in that moment. So um definitely seeing the positives in those like negative moments, but yeah, no, I’m good, it’s so good to hear that and we’ve seen this movement in sports focusing on mental health? How do you feel about that progress. Do you still feel the same amount of pressure these days? Yeah, I think that *** lot of the pressure I feel is mostly from myself and pressure that I put on myself, um you know, as *** professional athlete and also somebody who genuinely loves what they do. I I can’t help but have high expectations for myself, right? Like I want to be the best snowboarder that possibly be, and if I can’t do that, it’s frustrating. Like, I can’t do it, I can’t stand it. And so I think um it’s been *** really great way for me to stay motivated, but I think the minute I lose love for the sport, then I simply can’t do it anymore. Because what’s the point? Yeah. And from perfectionists, perfectionists, I totally get that and appreciate you lowering your guard to talk about this. You had mentioned losing love for snowboarding. How are you feeling about the sport these days? And are there particular routines or tips or things that you do to keep yourself grounded now? Yeah, I think, you know, like I I grew up snowboarding right? Like I started when I was four years old. It’s my identity at this point and when I started to lose love for it, I decided to go to school because I felt like I needed to surround myself with people who had nothing to do with snowboarding. People who I I shared things in common with that had nothing to do with my career or my, you know, lifestyle in *** sense. Um just all new and that was so refreshing because it was nice to know that I can make friends with people that weren’t snowboarders or weren’t in the industry or in the action sports world. It was, it’s just nice to have that type of separation and get away from the thought of working and I can like talk to those friends instead, you know? Yeah, I’m happy that you’re able to have that experience and almost feel normal life beyond just being an Olympic athlete and breaking down these barriers. But to that point I do have to ask you now that you are in *** better place, can we see you at the 20, Olympics? Yes, I am definitely planning on competing at the 2026 olympics. Um I will be taking *** full season off of competition though, just for you know, my mental health just want to kind of reset, don’t want to get right back into it after such *** fun but draining year at the same time knowing that it was an olympic year. So, um I just want to enjoy this moment, take it all in and then get back to it when I’m feeling ready, but as of now the plan is most definitely to go after *** third medal, awesome. And I have to ask you this, we’re just about around the corner from *** api heritage month, you are *** second gen korean american, How do you think that has shaped your journey and your career? Yeah, I, I’m so grateful, you know, for my parents and my family for supporting me, I think that um, I definitely would not be in this position without them, so I’m so grateful and I’ve learned so much as *** korean american woman um you know, like learning more about my identity and learning that, you know, there’s *** reason why we’re korean americans because I can’t go to Korea and feel comfortable but like sometimes in America, I don’t feel comfortable and I’m korean americans and um, I, I feel like I found so many incredible fellow korean americans that I can really share experiences with and um you know, just have that relationship with and it’s been *** very positive thing in my life. So I’m extremely grateful to them, you know, if you’re watching this, you know, I’m talking about you type of thing. But um yeah, thankful, thankful for my community. Well you’re an icon regardless asian american american athlete um regardless, I do want to switch gears here though, I see some bags behind you, you’re teaming up with Purina to kick off the pro plan Million mile challenge. Tell me the inspiration behind this campaign. Yeah, I mean Reese and I are partnering with karina pro plan sport um, to help them kick off the pro plan million mile challenge. We actually, it actually started on Tuesday, um, and it’s an exciting way to encourage pet owners to get out there and get active with their beloved companions and um, so the goal is to reach *** million miles and when we reach that goal, Pro plan will be donating $100,000 to athletes for animals, which is an incredible nonprofit organization founded by David and kelly bacchus. And um, fun fact, David is an olympic silver medalist and hockey, so like that’s really cool. Um, but it’s, it’s honestly such an amazing thing to be part of and I, I was just so inspired by the story. Um, kelly and David are doing amazing things there. It benefits the welfare of homeless animals and just as an animal lover myself, knowing that there are so many animals out there who aren’t getting the love and the care that they deserve. Um it’s heartbreaking, so knowing that there are people like kelly and David out there, um, you know, providing for animals, finding them homes, caring for them is heartwarming and brings me faith back in humanity.

Olympic champion Chloe Kim is taking a break for her mental health

Updated: 11:54 AM EDT Apr 26, 2022

Double Olympic snowboarding champion Chloe Kim said she will sit out the 2022-23 season to focus on her mental health after a “draining” year.The American became the youngest woman to claim an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding when she won the halfpipe at the 2018 Winter Games as a 17-year-old and defended her title in Beijing earlier this year.”Just for my mental health,” Kim told U.S. online news service Cheddar News when asked about the reason for her decision.”(I) just want to kind of reset. I don’t want to get right back into it after such a fun, but draining year, at the same time, knowing that it was an Olympic year.””I just want to enjoy this moment, take it all in and then back to it when I’m feeling ready, but as of now the plan is most definitely to go after a third medal.”The 22-year-old also took a full season off after the 2018 Games to focus on her studies and her mental health.The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be held in February 2026.

Double Olympic snowboarding champion Chloe Kim said she will sit out the 2022-23 season to focus on her mental health after a “draining” year.

The American became the youngest woman to claim an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding when she won the halfpipe at the 2018 Winter Games as a 17-year-old and defended her title in Beijing earlier this year.

“Just for my mental health,” Kim told U.S. online news service Cheddar News when asked about the reason for her decision.

“(I) just want to kind of reset. I don’t want to get right back into it after such a fun, but draining year, at the same time, knowing that it was an Olympic year.”

“I just want to enjoy this moment, take it all in and then back to it when I’m feeling ready, but as of now the plan is most definitely to go after a third medal.”

Patrick Smith / Getty Images

The 22-year-old also took a full season off after the 2018 Games to focus on her studies and her mental health.

The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be held in February 2026.