18 Months After Losing Her Mother, Lindsey Vonn Reveals One Thing That Keeps Her Sane

Published 03/11/2024, 12:08 PM EDT

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Lindsey Vonn reigns as a giant in alpine skiing. Despite being retired, she is still remembered for her prowess. However, her journey is marked by relentless pursuit and unwavering support from her mother, propelling her to unmatched success despite numerous setbacks. In her own words, she acknowledges, “My mom has always been tough; it’s something that has never been verbally said.” This maternal bond, however, was tragically severed in 2022 when Vonn’s mother succumbed to ALS.

Since then, Vonn has worked to raise ALS awareness. However, her bond with her mother was close-knit; it took her a while to come to terms with her physical absence. While grappling with the profound loss of her mother, she found a hope that guided her through the darkest of times. But how did Vonn overcome these immense hurdles? Recently, she revealed the key to her transformative journey of healing that followed

Lindsey Vonn’s reveals how she’s beating grief against all odds

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In a heartfelt conversation with People magazine, Lindsey Vonn opened up about the profound impact of coping with the loss of her mother. Linda Krohn passed away just one year after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Vonn described her mother as, “always a great example, and I try to live by that.” She derives inspiration from her mother’s philosophy on life, aiming to mirror her resilience and optimistic attitude. Even amidst adversity, Vonn disclosed that she frequently turns to her mother’s steadfast resolve, especially when feeling weary or disheartened.

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For Vonn, nurturing a positive outlook in the face of grief entails purposeful self-care routines, with physical activity serving as a pivotal means of releasing pent-up emotions. Acknowledging the therapeutic benefits of working out, Vonn emphasized how it enables her to reset her mind and alleviate the burden of bottled-up emotions. Despite the inherent difficulty, Vonn attested to the transformative power of exercise in fostering a renewed sense of optimism and mental clarity. However, did she share the same bond with her father?

A touching tribute to her late mother

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Lindsey Vonn’s relationship with her father took a tumultuous turn when she married Thomas Vonn, also a prominent skier, in 2007. This decision seemed to exacerbate the strain on her bond with her father, Alan Lee Kildow. The absence of her father at her wedding, with her grandfather stepping in to walk her down the aisle, underscored the depth of their estrangement. For several years, a palpable silence hung between father and daughter. However, despite the personal rift, her father remained a steadfast pillar of support in her career.

In the 2010 Olympics, Lindsey Vonn’s father stood by her side, a steadfast pillar of support. Vonn said, “He always had my back when I excelled, which was the majority of the time. Yet, when I stumbled, his reaction wasn’t always as comforting,“. Their relationship was a rollercoaster of emotions, swinging between pride-filled highs and tough-love lows, presenting Vonn with an intricate emotional maze to navigate.

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It’s significant to note that Vonn’s father is no stranger to the world of alpine skiing himself. “My dad’s unwavering mantra has always been, ‘Never, never give up.’ Sharing these moments with him as I near the conclusion of my career is incredibly meaningful,” Vonn expressed, highlighting the bond they’ve forged through the peaks and valleys of her journey.

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Written by:

Maleehah Shakeel

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Maleehah Shakeel is an Olympic Sports writer at EssentiallySports who covers equestrian sports, rodeo, bull riding, and Gymnastics. Maleehah’s stories revolve around various brand endorsement deals of athletes like Jessica Springsteen, Jennifer Gates, and Olivia Dunne. She has written in depth about the brand collaboration between Jessica Springsteen and Tommy Hilfiger.
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Edited by:

Suman Varandani