At just 25 years old, snowboarding legend Chloe Kim is embarking on what might be her most meaningful Olympic journey yet—and this time, she's doing it her way.

After feeling depleted following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Chloe made a courageous decision that many elite athletes struggle with: she chose to prioritize her mental and emotional well-being over medals and records. With the help of therapy and self-reflection, she's transforming her relationship with the sport that made her famous.

"The goal right now is just to love every step of the way," Chloe shares, a philosophy that's reflected throughout her life. In her Los Angeles home, she's created a "zen room"—a plant-filled sanctuary with fiddle leaf figs, rare monstera varieties, and cozy furnishings where she finds peace and restoration. It's more than just a room; it's a symbol of her commitment to balance and self-care.

Chloe's snowboarding story began when she was just four years old, tagging along with her father Jong Jin Kim to Mountain High resort in Southern California. What started as quality time with her dad quickly blossomed into something extraordinary. By age five, she won her first bronze medal. At 14, she became the youngest Winter X Games medalist. And at 17, she claimed Olympic gold in Pyeongchang, becoming the youngest woman ever to win an Olympic snowboarding medal.

But behind the dazzling trophy collection was immense pressure. After Beijing 2022, Chloe found herself at a crossroads, comparing snowboarding to "a really long relationship" with good days and challenging ones. Rather than walking away with regrets, she made the empowering choice to continue—but on her own terms.

"I wanted to create new memories for myself as an adult, where I got to make my own decisions," she explains. This mature, thoughtful approach represents a new chapter not just for Chloe, but for conversations around athlete mental health and sustainable success.

Now, as she trains for the 2026 Olympics, Chloe embodies a powerful message: true success includes happiness, mental wellness, and personal fulfillment. She's proving that champions can be both fierce competitors and advocates for their own well-being.

Her journey reminds us that it's never too late to redefine our relationship with our passions, to set healthy boundaries, and to pursue excellence without sacrificing ourselves in the process. Whether she adds more medals to her collection or not, Chloe Kim is already winning at what matters most—living authentically and joyfully while doing what she loves.

As she glides toward 2026, Chloe carries with her hard-won wisdom: the greatest victory is loving the journey itself.