In the world of cross-country skiing, few names shine as brightly as Jessie Diggins. The three-time Olympic medalist and two-time World Cup overall champion has already cemented her status as the most decorated American in the sport’s history. But now, the 31-year-old Minnesota native is embarking on a new challenge that extends far beyond the ski trails: climate change advocacy.
From Gold Medals to Green Initiatives
After clinching a historic gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang – the first ever for an American woman in cross-country skiing – Diggins knew she wanted to use her platform for something bigger. “I knew climate change was a huge issue,” she recalls. “Races were being canceled without snow, even in the Alps in mid-January. I just didn’t know how to talk about it.”
That same year, Diggins joined forces with Protect Our Winters (POW), one of the largest climate advocacy groups in the world. She dove headfirst into lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, leveraging her Olympic hardware to grab the attention of lawmakers and ignite conversations about climate policy.
Skiing Towards a Sustainable Future
Now, as she gears up for another grueling World Cup season, Diggins is more dedicated than ever to her dual role as an athlete and activist. “It gives me an outlet where I’m doing something instead of dreading the change in the planet,” she explains. “I’ve seen winters change a lot in my fifteen years as a pro.”
Through her work with POW, Diggins is helping to train fellow athletes to become effective climate advocates, harnessing the power of their personal stories to engage policymakers from both sides of the aisle. It’s a long-term approach that she believes is critical in the wake of the recent US presidential election.
“Climate change is something we’ll be working on our entire lives. We were born into this problem and we’ll likely pass it on to our kids and grandkids, so it’s important to not burn yourselves out.”
– Jessie Diggins
Leading by Example
Diggins acknowledges that her own lifestyle as a globe-trotting professional athlete comes with a significant carbon footprint. “I have a super privileged life. I fly over to Europe to race. I use electricity and have a carbon footprint. I try to offset all of it, but I’m not perfect and I own that.”
But rather than shying away from the contradiction, she sees it as an opportunity to lead by example and inspire others to take action, no matter how small. “Being imperfect doesn’t mean you have to stop talking,” she insists. “People need sports heroes who are imperfect; they need to see reality.”
Controlling the Effort, on Snow and in DC
As she looks ahead to the upcoming race season, Diggins is applying the same mindset to her skiing as she does to her advocacy work: focusing on controlling her effort, rather than the outcome.
“Ultimately I’m not the senator who gets to vote, but I can make the case that it’s important. I can control the heart, dedication, and passion I put into it. Just because you can’t control the outcome doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time and effort.”
– Jessie Diggins
For Diggins, this means continuing to use her voice and platform to push for meaningful climate action, even in the face of political headwinds. “We’re regrouping to figure out what policy is tenable and reminding people that climate shouldn’t be political,” she says of POW’s post-election strategy. “Progress is being made, even if it is slow. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to do the next right thing.”
More Than Just a Skier
At the end of the day, Diggins recognizes that her legacy will be defined by more than just her achievements on the ski trails. “It’s important to be more than an athlete. To care passionately about climate. To not be perfect and still take action,” she reflects. “I sleep better at night because I’m using my platform for more than just winning.”
As she charges forward into an uncertain future, both as a competitor and a climate champion, one thing remains crystal clear: Jessie Diggins is in it for the long haul, and she’s determined to lead the way, one ski stride and one Senate office at a time.
