​As I’ve grown older, I find myself more astonished by human potential and what our bodies can accomplish. I’m naturally active, cracking through days on the slopes, pounding out snowboarding sessions, tackling trail runs, and squeezing in day-long hikes with steep climbs. Yet I remain in perpetual awe of endurance athletes who have learned to push through brutal physical challenges and rebound time after time. One athlete who embodies this drive is Jessie Diggins, America’s most decorated cross-country skier. She’s a four-time Olympic medalist and a four-time World Cup Champion, holder of a record 385 World Cup starts, with 30 World Cup victories and 90 podium finishes. Though Diggins stepped away from Olympic competition in March 2026, she has chosen to embark on a fresh journey as an ultramarathoner and speaker. I was thrilled to sit down with her and learn how she sustains her body under the relentless demands of her sports.
Diggins reflects on a remarkable career in cross-country skiing, acknowledging the incredible support system that surrounded her—coaches, teammates, fans, and family who remained steadfast throughout her 16-year journey. That sense of community and gratitude makes her transition to ultra running feel like a natural evolution. Endurance sports have defined her for years, and she’s trained for miles on tough terrains, from long runs to roller skiing. The appeal of point-to-point mountain runs and the pursuit of the runner’s high drew her into new terrain where brain and body are tested in fresh ways. It’s this continuity—the love of sustained effort and the thrill of conquering challenging landscapes—that makes her current path so fitting.
Recovery and fueling have become even more critical as she balances a full-time speaking career with high-performance training. Diggins prioritizes energy management by starting mornings with nutrient-dense meals that balance carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Her go-to breakfast blends a homemade cappuccino with a smoothie bowl that features whey protein and a collage of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits—think pumpkin seeds, cashews, and, when she’s feeling tropical, shredded coconut. On days when time is tight or travel disrupts her routine, she relies on her Banana Bread Superhero Muffins, a creation of her friend Elyse Kopecky, which provide steady, wholesome nutrition to fuel her body for training and competition.
Beyond her personal regimen, Diggins has partnered with NOW to inspire and empower women to pursue happiness and health. Together with other leading female voices in wellness, she shares daily motivation, nutrition tips, recipes, workouts, and practical guidance designed to help women embrace change and build lasting habits that drive meaningful progress. This collaboration aims to support women who are chasing new passions or pursuing fresh wellness goals, offering a roadmap to sustainable improvement.
From the perspective of someone who loves the outdoors and thrives on physical challenges, Diggins’ journey offers a blueprint for sustainable excellence: cultivate a resilient mindset, honor the community that sustains you, and fuel your body with purposeful, nutrient-dense choices that support demanding training and high-level performance. Her evolution from Olympic champion to ultramarathoner and speaker is a testimony to what is possible when dedication, smart preparation, and a passion for pushing boundaries align.