This 2026 Olympian Says Meditation Is a Training Essential. Here's Why.

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The 2026 Olympics are well underway and the Winter Games are delivering daily doses of athleticism, resilience, and staggering commitment. Witnessing the regimens of any competitor can be equal parts baffling and inspiring. And although much of the years-long preparation is indeed aspirational, you might also come across a training tip you recognize. Like meditation. In an exclusive interview released by the Olympics, Italian alpine skier and two-time medalist Sofia Goggia shared that quieting the mind is an essential part of her approach to training as well as life. “Meditation is a moment of centering, being here and now, and observing thoughts as they pass through my mind without any judgement,” she explains in her native Italian. “I think meditation gives you…an inner sense of balance.” Goggia notes the balance that meditation provides, that sense of strength, is particularly crucial when competing at such a high level. It’s also what helps her find her focus and express herself, both as a person and a skier. ADVERTISEMENT Her inner world is further buoyed by a gratitude practice, something she believes everyone can benefit from. She explains that regardless of what you do in life, “living with a sense of gratitude is something that truly makes a difference.” Cultivating that sense of stillness, inner peace, and gratitude is a fundamental aspect of her demanding lifestyle and helps her weather external expectations and pressure. She acknowledges that can look differently for everyone. “I believe that each of us knows or understands which method is most correct and suitable for finding that sense of center for ourselves,” says Goggia. And, as she points out, that means paying attention. “I think it’s really important for us to live in a way that allows us to notice the beauty around us,” she says.