Shaun White, the 35-year-old godfather of snowboarding made his fifth and final Olympic runs at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics last February. Part of the founding generation of competitive snowboarding, White would be facing athletes ten to twenty years younger than him. Rumors of his retirement were already circulating throughout the winter sports world.
He starts strong with two good runs that put him in contention for a silver medal, but on his final run, after catching massive air, he attempts a 1440º twist. In 2018, while training for the Pyeongchang Olympics, White almost died attempting a similar trick when he clipped the top of the halfpipe upon re-entry, but after a brief recovery period, he still managed to qualify and go on to win the gold.
This time, his snowboard again clips the wall as he lands, but he doesn’t get hurt. He doesn’t even fall. It’s nothing dramatic; he just doesn’t have the momentum to keep going. His run and his Olympic career are over. He’s done. There will be no medal.
And it’s not like this is a guy who wasn’t trying to be a badass, right? I mean, White was competing for his fourth gold medal. I don’t know what his expectations were for his last run, but I’m sure he hoped he would go out on a higher note.
It was a moment that would test anybody, but White doesn’t lose his cool. He just takes his helmet off and gently boards down to the finish line. He looks disappointed, but he’s gracious and smiling, like he accepts what happened. I find it a really powerful moment.
Facing our Fears
I work with a lot of goal-oriented high achievers who have become successful by being excellent at driving outcomes. But eventually, everyone gets to a point where they can’t control the results. Usually, they’re trying to influence someone more senior or encourage someone they work with to make a change. People fear not getting the outcomes they wanted or hoped for, and this fear can make us unnecessarily anxious.
Think about the pressure White was under, facing that 1440º on his final run. On that day, White was the oldest male Olympic halfpipe rider in history. His accident in 2018 changed his life, resulting in a pulmonary lung contusion, heavy internal bruising, and 62 stitches across his forehead, lips, and tongue. He couldn’t even recognize his own face, and the blood buildup in his lungs delayed his flight home. That he’s alive is a miracle; that he was even willing to step onto a snowboard again is incredible.
Dealing With Uncertainty
Sometimes, all we can do is set our intention and be open to the outcome. We have to show up, bring enthusiasm, and do our best. Then, all we can do is let go and let things unfold. Circumstances are under our control only to a point. When they don’t go our way, we can still take pride in the fact that we honored our intent.
Shaun White may not have won a medal in his final Olympic competition, but the example he set in Beijing by facing his fears, giving his all, and being gracious in defeat is a fantastic model to follow.
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