6-time Paralympic medalist Mollie Jepsen talked with us about her devastating injury before Milano Cortina, her surgeries, and subsequent rehab. We also chatted about her hype songs, her ideal lazy Sundays, and her titanium necklace that was sourced from an unexpected place. If you don’t already know Mollie Jepsen, it’s time you did.
Take us back to when you first realized your injury might affect your plans for the Games. What were your thoughts like during that time?
I knew the significance before I even hit the ground. My plans for the Games had changed before medical support could reach me on the hillside. I’d torn my ACL three times before (now four), so I didn’t need a doctor, X-ray or MRI to know what had happened. I wanted to be tough and brave, but tears filled my eyes right away. I was instantly processing the implications. I was the strongest I’d ever been, physically and mentally, so I committed to the idea that, “As long as nothing is broken, I’m going to ski at the Games without an ACL.”
What was the hardest part of that period that people on the outside might not have seen?
Every aspect of it. I kept my journey to the Games private after my injury, as Lindsey Vonn was going through the same thing very publicly, and I was seeing the ridicule (and support!) in real time.
I was already making plans before I even made it to the hospital for imaging. I spent three days in Geneva undergoing assessments, completely alone, then flew home for less than 24 hours before heading to Edmonton to have my knee drained and receive injections.
Back home, I spent two weeks at the gym, in physio and in the pool every day, doing three sessions a day with no idea if I could pull it off. I flew back to Europe without touching snow, rejoined my team, and returned to skiing a few days later. A week out from the Games, I could manage only a few runs on the bunny hill.
By the time we moved into the athletes’ village in Cortina d’Ampezzo, I still didn’t know if I’d be able to race. On the first day, I stood at the start for inspection, looked down and thought, “There is absolutely no way this is going to be possible.” Even my coaches agreed.
The hardest part was knowing that even if everything went perfectly, my body had only one run left. One shot at this after four years of work. When I chose to pursue the downhill event and pushed out of the start, I knew it would be the only time I’d do that at these Games. All the work my ski technician, coaches, medical staff and I had put in over four years had led to this one moment. It was heartbreaking. Even now, thinking about those few weeks can make me cry.
You still finished fourth, which is amazing while skiing through an injury like that.
Q: As an athlete, you're used to working toward a clear goal. How did you approach rehab when progress wasn't always easy to track?
I had to take it one day at a time. Every day brought new obstacles, whether it was pain, swelling, lack of sleep or anxiety. There was no clear measure of success, just a set of criteria we’d agreed were important to trusting my knee on race day. Every day was a clean slate and another attempt at my impossible goal.
Do you have a lucky or meaningful piece of jewellery you like to wear?
I have two pinky rings I’ve never taken off. They match rings worn by one of my closest family members, and family is very important to me. More recently, my partner gave me a necklace containing titanium removed during my surgical repair after the Games. I’ll probably never take it off. It reminds me how resilient I am.
What are you doing on your ideal lazy Sunday?
Sleeping in until 10 or 11 a.m., having a quick breakfast and taking my supplements, then doing some light mobility or yoga. I’d spend the morning reading and catching up on emails at a neighbourhood café, hopefully in the sun! I love cooking, so I’d spend the rest of the day prepping food for the week ahead. I end almost every day with a bath and a slow evening reading in bed.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Paralympic skiers?
We’re athletes just like your favourite Olympians! We have the same schedules, tenacity, work ethic and goals. Paralympic medals are equivalent to Olympic medals. :)
What’s your go-to hype song before competing?
I’ve had the same playlist since my first Paralympic Games in 2018, adding maybe one or two songs each season. Every song is important to my race-day mindset. This past year, the most-played songs on race mornings were probably “Beat the Devil” by Maren Morris and “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean.
What does your dream ski day look like?
Pretty simple: Austria or Italy, bluebird skies, perfectly groomed, slightly dry snow, and a full-length super-G training day. Then a cappuccino at a refugio to wrap things up.
How would you describe your personal style?
Pretty casual, with a West Coast influence and a little bit of granola.
What's one thing you'd love to talk about or be asked?
One of my favourite things to talk about is having eggs in multiple baskets. As athletes, our goals and ambitions can take over our world, so I think it’s important to have a life outside sport. It’s wild (and amazing!) when your hobby and favourite thing on the planet becomes your job.
I’ve always advocated for having hobbies and pursuing school or work outside your athletic identity. I’ve been injured so many times in my career, and in a split second, the thing you spend every moment doing can be gone. I’ve been lucky to have school or work to give me purpose and direction during difficult periods. I love talking with anyone and everyone about living a full, multifaceted life.
