What drew you to cross-country skiing, and how did growing up in Vermont influence your passion for the sport?

My family has lived in Landgrove, Vermont for three generations. Growing up there, I really enjoyed being outside and the social aspect of cross country skiing. My early memories of ski practice involve skiing through the woods with all my friends, playing games and building jumps. What’s not to love?

What was it like to represent the U.S. at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and what did you take away from that experience? 

It was a true honor to represent team USA. Among other things, it was immensely satisfying to achieve a goal that I had chased for so many years. I felt I had conquered in every level in the sport by participating, even if I didn’t always excel at the highest level, and that makes me proud. 

My main takeaway from the experience is that even though it’s such a hyped up event, it’s also just another ski race with the same people I race against all year long. More than that, every other athlete was just as nervous as I was. These are both things I will keep in mind looking forward to the 2026 Olympics. 

What does a typical day in the mountains look like for you during the off-season?

The beauty of training all year for a winter sport is that in the summer I get to be a true multi-sport athlete. There is nothing better than a good mountain uphill for getting your heart rate up. Some days, I’ll spend the morning running or roller skiing up and down the biggest hills I can find to train at high aerobic intensities. The surrounding mountains create the pitch and the altitude that is so essential for a good training session. 

Other days, I go on long, slow runs or bike loops where my only goal is to get outside and see as much as I can. Here in Vermont, this is a somewhat humbling experience because you may run over numerous mountains but only find one peak with one tiny window that resembles anything close to a “view.” The rest of the adventure is usually spent deep in the trees, wondering where you are. 

What role does the mountain community play in your life and career, and how has it supported your journey as a pro athlete? 

Without a doubt the most incredible aspect of my career in cross country skiing has been the people I have met. So far, at every level I have only met hardworking, kind, down-to-earth communities. The incredible people involved in the sport are responsible for not only helping me through the hard times in my career, but also making the best times so great.