Olympic Psychologists Help Athletes Redefine Success

Most Olympic athletes will never win a gold medal, but that doesn't make them failures.

Emily Clark, a clinical psychologist with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, helps athletes understand what true success means as the Winter Games open in Italy on February 6. She's part of a 15-member team providing mental health support to roughly 305 American athletes heading to the Olympics and Paralympics.

The numbers tell a stark story. Team USA won gold in just nine events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. About 71% of Olympic athletes compete in only one Games, and most return home without standing on the podium's top step.

That's where Clark and her team step in. They help elite athletes handle pressure, manage anxiety, improve sleep, and most importantly, redefine what winning really means.

"You're job is not to win a gold medal, your job is to do the thing and the gold medal is what happens when you do your job," Clark told The Associated Press. She encourages athletes to focus on executing their skills perfectly rather than obsessing over results.

Four-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch credits the mental health support for her success. "Just being able to touch base with them and getting that reminder of why are you here," she said.

Figure skater Alysa Liu, the 2025 world champion, calls her sports psychologist "the MVP." She relies on mental coaching to stay focused during high-stakes competitions.

Not everyone buys in completely. Downhill skier Lindsey Vonn, 41, joked that she used to tape messages on her ski tips like "stay forward" instead of seeing a psychologist. "I just did it myself," she said. "I do a lot of self-talk in the starting gate."

But Clark's approach goes deeper than positive thinking. She teaches athletes that growth comes from pushing to maximum capacity and then recovering, just like building muscle.

Why This Inspires

Clark's work represents a fundamental shift in how we think about achievement. By helping athletes find meaning beyond medals, she's teaching a lesson anyone can use: success isn't always about finishing first.

Her message resonates far beyond the Olympic Village. Whether you're chasing career goals, personal milestones, or creative dreams, the process matters more than the podium.

The mental health team also tackles everyday challenges like sleep quality, travel stress, and family dynamics. These practical skills help athletes extend their careers and enjoy the journey more, regardless of where they place.

As hundreds of American athletes prepare for Italy, they're learning that showing up, doing your best work, and growing from setbacks might be the biggest win of all.