Mikaela Shiffrin - The Creator

ALPINE SKIIER - TEAM USA

ARCHETYPE: THE CREATOR

Day 20/135

Athletic Accomplishments

At just 26, Mikaela Shiffrin is already the most decorated American alpine skiier in history. Before she turned 19, she became the youngest Olympic slalom champion in history. She is also the first—and only—athlete to win all six FIS Alpine Ski World disciplines (slalom, parallel slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and alpine). I can’t do even one of those things.

She slalomed onto the scene when she was 16, so despite her youth, she’s a grizzly old vet on the slopes.The results have been conclusive: she is very much the best. Want proof? Just listen for the clank of her 11 international medals and these huge accolades:

• 2x Olympic gold medalist

• 3x Overall World Cup Champion

• 4x world champion slalom

• 6x World Cup Champion in slalom

Twenty-six years old. And it’s all downhill (and slalom, giant slalom, and Super-G) from here. Can you even imagine?

Character Archetype: The Creator

It’s tempting to cast Mikaela Shiffrin as “the girl next door,” or “the innocent” archetype. But she’s much more dynamic than all that cliché fan fic the media keeps writing about her.

But perhaps my favorite thing about Shiffrin is her personal motto, which she pens on her helmet before every event: ABFTTB.

ALWAYS BE FASTER THAN THE BOYS

Shiffrin isn’t out here doing little girl shit. She’s running the game. She’s top of the leaderboard. She’s leaving no doubt of her athletic genius.

There’s kind of a benevolent mad scientist vibe to someone who is so good, so dominant at her craft, especially so young. A fixation and a focus on greatness. She’s building something. She’s creating something extraordinary. And we are all witness.