Lindsey Vonn, the 41-year-old Olympic champion, appeared on Maria Sharapova’s “Pretty Tough” podcast, where they discussed various topics, including the scrutiny women athletes face compared to their male counterparts.
The American skier and former tennis star engaged in a one-hour conversation about their careers and ongoing challenges. Vonn, who won Olympic gold in 2010 and boasts 84 World Cup victories, recently endured a severe injury at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, which nearly resulted in amputation. After a five-year hiatus, she returned to sports in 2024 and is facing another surgery in November. She plans to decide whether to compete again, hoping to fulfill her dream of retiring in 2026 in Italy.
Sharapova initiated the dialogue by quoting Vonn’s words from the previous year: “No one expects me to do anything, but everyone expects me to do everything,” referencing her efforts to qualify for the Olympics. Vonn noted the absurd expectations women face, saying, “On one hand, everyone criticized me for being too old and doubting my abilities. On the other hand, there were expectations for me to excel completely. If I didn’t, I was deemed a disappointment. It felt like a no-win situation from the outside.”
She added, “For me, it was a win regardless of the outcome because I knew I would exceed everyone’s expectations. I have very high standards for myself. But I believe this contradiction exists for many people, especially women.”
Vonn highlighted a disparity in social acceptance, stating, “Men can compete at any age. There are so many male athletes, like Tom Brady and Lewis Hamilton, who continue to push boundaries and compete at high levels as they age. Yet, for some reason, this is not accepted for women.”
Lindsey Vonn: Changing Social Norms
Vonn emphasized the evolving social norms, saying, “We have these well-established societal norms that suggest women should start families by a certain age or follow a specific life timeline. Maybe that was the case 15-20 years ago, but it’s not anymore.”
She noted the advancements in medicine and options like egg freezing, allowing women to focus on their careers before starting families. Vonn remarked, “It’s not just about athletes. Many ambitious women face this bizarre stress that shouldn’t exist. We should have the opportunity to say: ‘This is my time. I’m ready. It doesn’t matter how old I am. This is what I want to do.’”
“I think it’s interesting to build your career and secure your future before becoming a parent, allowing for a less hectic life. Obviously, this is a privilege, and I’m grateful to have achieved enough in my career to do this. But it’s a concept worth considering,” she added.
Vonn questioned the fixation on what women can or cannot do, advocating for a supportive approach among individuals to pursue happiness.
Discussing Social Media’s Impact
The two athletes also touched upon the influence of social media on athletes today. Vonn, who claims to have a “thick skin,” admitted that online negativity affected her during her recovery.
“I try to give myself time after a race to simply live in the moment. I feel there are not many positive voices, especially on Twitter. Some comments were hard to bear,” Vonn shared.
Reflecting on how social media has transformed the experience of athletes, she noted, “Instagram and Facebook were just emerging when I won Olympic gold in 2010. Now, they are part of everyday life, and people are no longer truly present. Everyone is on their phones, missing out on the moment; sports can be one of the few spaces where someone is fully engaged.”
Vonn recounted the fear she experienced after her injury, stating, “I looked at my leg and felt scared because I thought: ‘This isn’t my leg. This isn’t me. This doesn’t happen to me.’” She emphasized that the pain from fractures does not compare to what she felt from her knee ligament injuries.
She advised young athletes to embrace adversity. “To fall, face challenges, and learn to get back up by themselves is an extremely important life lesson,” Vonn noted.
Regarding her potential return to skiing, Vonn is postponing her decision. “Right now, I am far from knowing what I want to do. If I had my way, I would love a fairytale ending. The perfect conclusion would be to return, win the Olympic downhill title again, and have a happy ending, but I don’t need another title to be happy with my accomplishments,” she concluded.
