Send It with Stef Fleckenstein: Recent Episodes
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What do you get when you combine snow-covered mountains, spandex one-piece suits, red and blue plastic gates, year-round training, and a ticking clock? That would be the fickle sport that we call ski racing. My name is Stef Fleckenstein and I’ve spent the last 12 years of my life climbing the ladder in this complicated sport and now I’m here to share all of the lessons I’ve learned along the way. This podcast will be your go-to stop for everything from workouts and mental training, to the intricacies of managing a high-performance athlete lifestyle.
This episode is something I've thought about for a while and finally found the right words for. Having a positive mindset through an injury or challenging time all comes down to perspective (for me). I've learned a lot from my experiences through this injury and thought maybe you could learn something from them too :)
My main topics are:
- how I shifted my perspective to be grateful for my situation
- how the question of "why me?" is the devil in my opinion
- why it's important to embrace the process/ journey without thinking about the outcome
Hey friends it's me again :) I'm finally out of the hospital after my 5th and final surgery and I'm ready to make his recovery my entire personality!! I thought I'd share a couple of tactics I've used over the course of this crazy experience and hopefully it can help some of you if you find yourself as the princess of the ICU like me :)
Cande Moreno is a World Cup DH/ SG racer from Andorra who also happens to be one of my best friends on the circuit. Over the last couple of years we've explored the World Cup venues together and have bonded over our love for being active outdoors. One of our shared loves (aside from racing) is freeriding and Cande has helped me see how much freeskiing can help me with my racing. Unfortunately Cande also suffered a season ending injury earlier this year but we've been making plans for our future ski adventures and can't wait to be back ripping together!!
I love to put a positive spin on my life, but sometimes it's ok to admit that things are frustrating and this is not where I want to be right now. This episode I talk about the exhausting side of injuries and how I've learned to be kind to myself when I'm feeling overwhelmed, how I'm staying positive even when it feels like I'm not moving forward, and how I've learned to take things personally. This isn't my usual style of podcast but being in the hospital has me feeling all the emotions so I figured it was a good time to be vulnerable :) Hopefully this can help you if you're feeling a similar way!! xoxo
Here are some of the main things that I'm doing to prepare for my 4th surgery on my leg:
- Keeping my body as healthy as possible with vitamins, sleep, and staying active
- Getting anything urgent done so that I don't have added stress while recovering
- Trusting the process and embracing the situation I'm in
- Keeping a positive mindset heading into the surgery!
Inni Wembstad is an up and coming speed skier on the Norwegian Ski Team, with massive results on the Europa Cup circuit and she started to make her mark on the World Cup circuit before she tore her ACL in the 2022/23 season. Inni fought her way through rehab and was looking really good heading into the 2023/24 season when she had another massive crash which resulted in an ACL tear and a concussion. Inni has been a massive help for me during my rehab and I had so much fun chatting with her about some of the less talked about topics for rehabbing athletes.
sorry if there are any audio qualities! we were faced with some technical difficulties but made the best of what we had
I'm not someone who usually experiences FOMO but I think it's inevitable to feel like you're missing out while you're injured. This episode dives into some of the ways I've been experiencing FOMO and what I'm doing to change my mindset about my situation. Feeling like you're missing out can present itself in lots of different ways and it's ok to let yourself go through the emotions you're feeling, but try not to get too caught up in them. Remember to put energy into yourself and your healing rather than focusing on the lives of others :)
With any major injury there are lots of steps that go into a full recovery and right now I'm working my way through the first baby steps. There has been some interest in what I'm doing for rehab with my leg so I thought I'd share what I'm up to. The majority of my treatment is focused on reducing swelling, increasing flexion and allowing my bones to heal. Thanks for following!!
Sometimes I plan what I should talk about during my podcasts but today I decided to let my mind roam and dive into some of the things I've been feeling. I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that I've been working on in my rehab and how I'm staying motivated during this confusing time. It's not always easy but I'm finding ways to make each day feel like a step forward and know that the hard work will eventually pay off!!
I won't lie and say I've stayed positive through this whole injury experience, but I will say that I've managed to avoid the dark and twistys for the most part. Sometimes life sucks and that's ok, but it's important to understand that the way you handle it can determine your future outcome. Anyways here's another episode of me blabbering about my experiences, I hope you enjoy!
Hospitals can be scary but my experience over the past 2.5 weeks has been really eye opening and has given me a new perspective. I've only gone a little bit crazy but I think that means I'm healing so I'm embracing it!
Life is crazy but life in the hospital is even crazier. I'm going to share my experiences living in the hospital for the past 2.5 weeks and help give some insight into some of the feelings you'll have after a big injury/ surgery!!
Before this crash I had never sustained a major injury before, so I had no idea what to expect. Athletes are quick to share their rehab and comeback stories, but very few share what actually happened from their perspective. I thought I'd give you a look inside my head to hopefully make crashes and injures seem a little less scary, but also to show you what us athletes are thinking about. Hopefully you enjoy :)
The plan was to make this form of episode a series for the winter so you could all stay up to date on the World Cup season, but now that I'm injured this will be the only one :( If you like this style please let me know and I'll make sure to do it again once I'm back out racing!
It can be hard for people to fully grasp the lives of professional athletes because from the outside it looks like all sunshine and rainbows. While that may be true for a portion of our lives, the majority of it is spent obsessing, working, and pushing ourselves to limits that affect us in more ways than one. I've had a lot of time to think about who I am and who I want to be, so I thought I'd sit down and share some of my thoughts. Thanks for being here and listening to me xo
Alayna and I have shared similar paths to our World Cup careers. She grew up in Minnesota (basically Canada), competed on her NCAA ski team (on the East coast...), and now is racing World Cups as an independent athlete representing the USA. We were able to talk about all the things that go into skiing including training, life on the road, managing burnout, long distance relationships and finding your community. While some things crossover between the two sports, it was really interesting to see how differently we approach our sports as athletes. Anyways, this episode is a bit longer but I promise the lessons are worth it so give it a listen! xo
It's safe to say that being a ski racer in North America means leaving your home around the age of 15 and learning how to travel the world for 6 months a year to ski. I've been incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with so many generous people and I wanted to send them a big thank you while also sharing some of my favorite stories. I also add in a few tips for athletes and surrogate families to make sure that your experiences are enjoyable ;)
From how I avoid paying for overweight charges at the airport, what team am I on, how I manage an independent team, to how I stay motivated, I'm answering all your Qs! Over the last couple of years I've been asked the same couple of questions so I decided it was time to finally give you some answers. This will be the first episode of a little series I'll be starting to help answer questions that you guys have for me!
Being an independent athlete is hard enough without the added feeling of being alone all the time. I've been incredibly lucky to have my coach be one of my best friends and to have my families support, but sometimes you just need a friend who's going through the same things as you. This episode I share how I became friends with some of my competitors, overcame the idea of being on my own, and came to the realization that your community doesn't have to be rooted in your teammates. These are all just my original thoughts so take it with a grain of salt and enjoy the ride.
My hiatus is finally over and I'm back ready to share my life with everyone! Last year was a rollercoaster and the stress of trying to graduate college, run an independent team, and work a part time job got the best of me. I'm excited to be back and hope you guys are too! This first episode is just a life recap from the last year that I've been away from the mic and gives a little preview into what I'm up to this season.
It can take years to master the art of living out of a suitcase and travelling the world, but I've got some quick tips that will make your life easier. If I had a dollar for every time I told a checkin agent I loved them or that my bags "aren't that heavy" I'd be able to fund my ski racing career. Stay tuned for more tips as this race season gears up!
Sometimes it can feel like the world is working against you, but in those moments it's important to remember what you have to be thankful for. This episode is dedicated to overcoming life's challenges and reminding yourself that your goals are your greatest motivators. Nothing is going to come easy in this life so you might as well embrace the curveballs thrown your way and learn to be your own biggest fan :)
If you're interested in supporting our team this season please donate at the link below :)
GoFundMe Link
School, training, skiing, fundraising and working has pushed me to my limits the past couple of weeks but I'm back and ready to share what I've been doing! Get a look into my last couple of weeks and a preview of what's to come next season.
Community, passion and hard work are some of the key ingredients in building a successful speed group. Growing up I always had idols that I looked up to but never had access to them or their personal stories. The American Downhiller camp gives young racers the opportunity to interact with current and past world cup skiers while getting top tier training. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of the AD family so give this episode a listen to get the details!
If the game face didn't scare you off, I promise her starts will. Ainsley is consistently the first out of the start gate on race nice and I attribute her speed to her daily bike rides with her mom before school. Her dedication, drive and hard work has catapulted her into a higher category of racing after only one year on the circuit and it's safe to say she can be one of the great BMX racers of the future. Investing in a child's athletic dreams is a family affair and Ainsley's family is always doing their best to give her as many opportunities as possible. From finding local races when they go on family RV trips, to flying across the country for a race, they've proven that anything is possible with the right attitude.
Whenever you're about to do something for the first time you're bound to feel some nerves. This rule still applies to me as a racer even though I've been to hundreds of races in my life. I can't wait to share with you my Pro Tour experience and recount some of the things that helped make the weekend such a success for me. It's easy to get overwhelmed in situations like the Pro Tour so hopefully this podcast will help shed some light on ways to overcome those nerves or even to share a little bit of my experience :)
Transitioning out of the ski racing world is no easy feat and Meg describes her experience in a very relatable way. What she realized shortly after leaving the skiing world was that the mountains held a much bigger place in her heart than ski racing originally made her believe and after a two years of trying to deny this fact she finally gave in to her love for skiing again. An inspiring story that will make you smile and is sure to inspire you to push your boundaries no matter what you're doing!
This weeks episode is short and sweet but very to the point. Over the years I've had to navigate numerous pathways and along with that had to accept multiple versions of what is "good enough". This is a concept that I've struggled with for years but I finally feel like I have come to a point where I am only worried about what is "good enough" for me. We live in a critical world filled with people who are going to try and define success for you but it's important to remember your goals and focus on how you can achieve them on your own terms!
Have you ever wondered what the "best path" for an athlete to take is? Often times we would respond with the path of least resistance that ultimately results in the athlete on the National Team. Trish and I may have come from different backgrounds but our pathways have encountered many of the same twists and turns over the years. From starting out on the National Team at a young age, to attending university and competing in the NCAA, to competing independently on the World Cup circuit, nothing about our pathway has been easy. Get ready for lots of life lessons and engaging thoughts while Trish and I discuss our lives up to this point.
It's hard to find something that Kajsa isn't great at. A World Cup racer from Norway who snagged her first World Cup Podium at the young age of 22, she's also helped a famous Norwegian author publish a book about the how sport is intertwined with the path of life, renovated her Oslo apartment on her own, AND opened her own restaurant in Oslo during the COVID-19 pandemic. I had so much fun listening to Kajsa talk about her ski racing career and hear first hand what it takes to become one of the best alpine racers in the world.
It's not everyday that I sit down in my recording studio (bed) and ramble for 30 minutes about the amazing things ski racing has taught me over the years. I really wanted to emphasize how special ski racing is for teaching kids life lessons and how it shaped me into the person that I am today. I also think it's important to talk about how success at a young age can affect your later career especially when you aren't ready to handle the expectations and pressure that will come your way. Finally, teammates aren't just there to be the shoulder you cry on or competitors to check training times against, they can also be your biggest supporters if you're able to foster a healthy dynamic! I give you my insights into how to be a better support of your teammates as well as some of the benefits that go along with building your support system :) Enjoy!
In this episode I talk about what it's been like transitioning from NCAA to World Cup skiing, climbing out of my depression cave, learning to trust myself and I even read some of my favourite sections from the book "Bravey" by Maya Rudolph. It's hard to imagine that less than 12 months ago I was curled up in my college apartment wishing I was anywhere else in the world and now I'm sitting in my European hotel room in Switzerland counting my blessings for the opportunities I have. Life can be crazy sometimes but it's important to stay true to yourself and have faith that things will turn around if you pu your mind to it.
Ski racing is a sport where athletes compete individually but also travel, train and live as a team. This combination can be challenging because often times your biggest competitors and the other people vying for the same starts as you are also your teammates. Over the years I've seen countless coaches and ski federations pit teammates against each other in an effort to create "healthy" competition but it usually fails, resulting in bitter rivalries and toxic team dynamics. Recently, I've experienced first-hand what it can be like to have teammates who celebrate your successes just as much as their own, view competition as a way for everyone to improve and genuinely care about your well-being. Allie and Zoe are a perfect example of how deeply rooted friendship and camaraderie can result in success on the race hill and within the team.
After consistently getting my a** handed to me by Britt in GS, I decided to sit down with Britt and have a talk about how she got so good, so fast. Despite growing up with two parents who understood what it took to be a ski racer, Britt took her career into her own hands and pushed herself to be the best, no matter the circumstance. It was an absolute pleasure hearing what Britt had to say about her life in skiing and the way she spoke about her teammates and competitors is truly admirable. Britt Richardson is a name you're going to want to remember.
Throughout my years as a young athlete my coaches continually engrained in me that confidence and results should be synonymous. While this way of thinking helped pushed me to perform at a higher level, it also fostered a negative view of "poor performances". Recently I've worked incredibly hard to break my old habits and change my perspectives to view these "poor performances" as learning experiences rather than disappointments. In this episode I also reflect on some of the key moments in my athletic career that helped develop my work ethic and give some insight on how I stay motivated even when I'm not performing my best.
Brodie Seger, another Vancouver/ Whistler native who grew up skiing in Whistler has made some major jumps in ski racing over the past couple of years. His work ethic is something to be admired and his perseverance has made him a well-known name on the World Cup circuit. With the Olympics just around the corner I wanted to pick Brodies mind on how he managed to achieve one of his childhood dreams. You won't want to miss this episode as Brodie divulges some amazing insight and explains what helped him get to this point in his skiing career.
Growing up in Whistler I always knew that I wanted to be a professional athlete, it was simply a matter of picking the sport I loved the most and dedicating myself to it. I was a late bloomer when it comes to ski racers deciding they wanted to be olympians, but that hasn't held me back from chasing my dream and working my way onto the World Cup circuit. I have my fair share of haters but I'm very happy to say that the good friends and memories far outweigh the negatives in my career and I hope to keep that trend going for the next several years.
Madi Hoffman is an Australian racer who has taken her passion for ski racing to the next level. Her family has been residing in Utah for the past several years and have helped her navigate the ski racing world without the help of a National Team. The Hoffmans created Team X as a way help independent female skiers who were racing in the US while also providing teammates for Madi to train and compete with. After three years of the Team X legacy proving that independent teams may be the future for developing top tier skiers, Madi decided to adjust her path and start school for the University of Utah where she can also compete for their D1 NCAA Ski Team. By combining her NCAA team with her independent team Madi feels like she's found her happy medium and is ready to take on both the college circuit and World Cup circuit simultaneously.
Mac and Tristan are two athletes that understand what it takes to be the best in the world, but they also know that they couldn't do it alone. Join me in my conversation with these two wild guys as they bring me inside the dynamic of the Canadian Paralpine team and explain what it means to work together as a team while competing in an individual sport. They are looking to push the boundaries of what it means to be a Paralympic athlete and want to help change the conversation to help people understand that Para-athletes are so much more than their disability. Each athlete has overcome adversity in their own way and has fought hard to compete at the highest level so they should be properly acknowledged. While these topics may seem deep and hard hitting, Mac and Tristan approach them with sincerity and are always able to put a light hearted spin on it.
While my personal opinion about Katie may be biased because she's my sister, it's safe to say that almost every person that meets her feels the same way. She's a ray of sunshine who has defied the odds numerous times and refuses to let a bad situation get the best of her. From rehabbing 3 ACL reconstructions, surviving a traumatic brain injury and having multiple bones broken, to attending one of the top D1 NCAA ski schools in the US, she has proven that she knows how to work hard. One of the most unique characteristics about Katie though is that while she maintains a competitive mindset for sports, she is also able to free her mind to explore the beauty of nature and loves to produce unbelievable artwork in her free time. She's a jack of all trades who has used her setbacks in skiing to grow as a person and has embraced everything that life has to offer.
This is my first year fully moving to Europe for the race season and it has been a crazy experience. Despite spending three years living in the US for school, I felt totally unprepared and nervous to spend half of the year living alone in Europe. While some of the things that I worried about might seem silly or childish, until you've moved across the globe during a pandemic, you don't know the struggles. Here are some of my experiences, tips & tricks and a selection of silly questions for you to listen to.
This is such an exciting podcast for me to be putting out because although I've had the pleasure of knowing Alice for years I want to world to be graced by her contagious energy. From day one she's been one of my biggest competitors, inspirations and cheerleader. Don't let her modest demeanor fool you, Alice has proven that she's a force to be reckoned with at the World Junior, World Cup, World Championship and Olympic level. Aside from her numerous athletic achievements she has fought a courageous battle with an eating disorder for over a year now and she's been an inspiration to countless people. Her story has spread around the world and she's even been feature in the Washington Post and NBC Sports. She's helping break the stigma around athletes with eating disorders and showing the world that sometimes the hardest battle athletes face is outside of competition.
When people think of athletes they think of physically fit, motivated people who defy the odds of whats humanly possible. Unfortunately, this way of thinking has developed a very negative stigma around athletes with mental health struggles and I want to help change the way we view athletes mental health. There is no right or wrong way of dealing with these kinds of issues but I'm putting my personal experience to work to try and help people dealing with similar things that I've gone through. PSA I'm not a licensed therapist, just an athlete who wants to help spread some love and remind people that it's ok to struggle!
Hi everyone and welcome to Send It With Stef! I can't wait to share my experiences and stories with you all.