JR Interview with Lindsey Vonn

If you're feeling down and having trouble getting up in the morning, here's a tip. Brush your teeth.

That's it. Often when we wake up, our brains go into planning mode, which leads to overthinking and stress, before our head even leaves the pillow. Something simple like brushing your teeth can break that cycle and jump start your day. This tip was brought to you by BetterHelp Online Therapy, which connects you with a licensed therapist via video, phone, or online chat.

Visit betterhelp.com slash positive and save 10% on your first month. If you're feeling down and having trouble getting up in the morning, here's a tip. Brush your teeth.

That's it. Often when we wake up, our brains go into planning mode, which leads to overthinking and stress, before our head even leaves the pillow. Something simple like brushing your teeth can break that cycle and jump start your day. This tip was brought to you by BetterHelp Online Therapy, which connects you with a licensed therapist via video, phone, or online chat.

Visit betterhelp.com slash positive and save 10% on your first month. What's going on with these Denver Broncos? Man, your guess is as good as mine. I love Russ, but I don't know.

Oh, man. So, but as he comes in, we know that the Walton family founders of Walmart, they now have the team. Is this a lost year? Are they going to build after this?

What do you think? Listen, it's never over until it's over, but I think there's some growing pains. You know, I mean, it's hard with team sports.

And when you get a lot of new players coming in, I think, you know, they just haven't found their groove yet, but they will, you know, have faith. You know, might take a little time, but Russ is not a rookie. He knows what he's doing. So I trust it. He'll figure it out.

Okay. All the best to him and his recovery from injury as well. Lindsey Vonn is joining us here. The JR Sport ReShow on CBS Sports Radio here on On Our Show. We broadcast 300 stations all across North America. We get first responders. Last night we had on some firefighters. We have people who are up late doing amazing work, making the economy run. One of the things that you're working on right now is for people that typically would try to get some sleep that night. Tell us about it.

Yeah. I've actually been struggling with insomnia for quite some time now, and I'm very thankful because I went to my doctor, I found a solution and that is quivivac. It's a medication that I take and it's helped me fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. I think, you know, insomnia is something that most people don't talk about. They assume that not getting sleep is okay and normal, especially for people like first responders. You know, for me, when I was skiing, I had so much adrenaline. It was really hard to calm that down and quiet your mind and be able to fall asleep and you need so much sleep to be able to do what you do, especially for example, like the first responders. So I'm just very happy that I finally have my insomnia under control and I've learned, you know, over the course of my life and career that the more open I am about my own struggles, the more I can hopefully help others and also help myself and my own journey through life.

So I hope that by speaking about it, I can help others find a solution that works for them as well. Lindsey Vaughn is here with us. You, I'm not just blowing steam, we're blowing smoke.

You're one of the most accomplished skiers that we've ever seen recorded on planet earth. Pat yourself on the back. Now, having said that, you retired in 2019. What has that transition been like between 2019 and here 2022?

It's right before the pandemic. We all have to go through everything that we went through. How's the past few years been for you? It was hard. I mean, you know, right after I retired from ski racing, I think the transition was more difficult than I expected. You know, I had everything set up. You know, obviously knew my career was ending.

I had been a business plan. I had a busy schedule, but nothing really prepared me for waking up the next day and not having ski racing in my life. You know, what had always been this rock, this constant, this something that I could lean on.

And it was always there. So it was really hard when it was gone. And it took me a while. It's a year and a half to really figure out my way through it. I wrote a memoir, which took me pretty much a year and a half. I actually wrote a whole book and then scrapped it and started over. But I think that process is really therapeutic and it helped me process a lot of things and help me find out who I am as a person away from ski racing, which sounds really simple, but it was not that simple.

I'll tell you that I'm sure it's ridiculously tough. I mean, even in other aspects of sports where we're dead in the middle, kind of crazy already of the NFL season. And we have someone like Aaron Rogers who comes back.

We mentioned Russell Wilson. He goes to a new team, starts a new chapter. Unfortunately for Tom Brady, all of his business and his personal life is all out there. How difficult is that transition? Even somebody like Tom Brady, all his personal life is out there and now it's professional life and they're not doing good. How difficult is it to say it's time to move on? It's really hard to move on, you know, and it's hard to be able to have the space to think for yourself, you know, without outside distraction and, you know, people saying what you should or shouldn't do.

And, you know, to your point of Tom, you know, just the amount of, you know, rumors and, you know, things that are out there just, it's very distracting. I think for me, it was a little bit easier because with my injuries, it really forced me to make a decision. You know, I was, I was just falling apart at the seams by the end.

And there wasn't really an option to keep going. I think had I not had so many injuries, I would probably have had much, a much harder time stepping away. I probably would be like Tom Brady. I'd probably be 42 and just still going strong, you know, and never, never let go. But, you know, I think for me, it, it also was a matter of can I still win? And I wasn't sure at that point if I, you know, was physically able to, even if I could, you know, sew myself back together. So I think every athlete kind of has to figure that out on their own.

And be able to sleep with that at night because I mean, Tom is not, not the norm. You usually don't get to go back, but most athletes when they do retire, you know, that's it. And you have to be able to live with that because, you know, in five or 10 years, you don't want to say, wake up and say, I wish I would have kept going, or I wish I would have done more. And that's how I kind of approach my life is I live every day to the max. You know, I don't ever have any regrets. I, I try to seize every opportunity because you just don't know what's going to happen. Lindsey Vaughn is here with us.

The JR sport ratio on CBS sports radio. You talk about your own personal injuries. I mean, your back, your knees, your ankles, we saw you get airlifted, you know, off of the slopes.

It's not, not something I think anybody necessarily wants to deal with. We know that this is something skiing that you started when you were very little, but throughout all of those injuries and the trials, what was the main driving factor? Was it just the desire to compete?

Was it family? What kept you going? I loved going fast. You know, I loved pushing myself. And I think being on the mountain was one of the most freeing experiences, you know, your, you have your career in your hands.

You know, you can push you're going as fast as you can push yourself to go. And I loved, I love that challenge. I love the freedom of it. There's, there's nothing about it that I didn't love. And so, you know, I think that was something that propelled me through all of my injuries and, you know, no matter what happened in my life, I always had skiing to fall back on and something that, you know, gave me so much joy and pleasure in my life. So there was never a day that I didn't love ski racing, even when it hurt.

I still loved it. Lindsay, I got to ask you this. You've spoken openly about your, your own battles mentally and fighting through issues and problems and even depression. You know, we have like a star in the NBA right now in Ben Simmons. This man has been beaten from Philadelphia to Brooklyn and has his own back issues and doesn't play and social media. What would you say about just the outsider's perspective on someone who's like Ben? Because obviously there are issues that are there even in his performance.

To the degree we don't know, but what would you say to people who look at someone like Ben? I don't know his story that well. But what I do know is that, you know, injury can be difficult for a lot of reasons. You know, some people mentally just aren't able to come back. You know, some people, it kind of sticks with them. And, you know, for me, I was lucky that, you know, I process injury really well. I look at it as, you know, just another setback. And the second I'm out of surgery, I'm like, when can I get back?

What's the timeline, you know, put me in? But I've seen through every single sport that every injury is different. And you can never judge someone for their own process.

While it may seem easy on the outside, it really never is easy on the inside. Even with something as simple as, you know, a broken finger or a sprained ankle, you know, still you're putting your body, you're pushing your body to the maximum every time that you're performing. And if you're not right, that can take time to get over.

So I don't judge people. I let them do their thing. And, you know, when they're ready to get back out there, they will.

I hear that. Steve Nash, Coach of the Brooklyn. That's, he's saying the same thing about Ben Simmons right now. Lindsey Vonn joining us, a few more questions here.

CBS Sports Radio, the JR Sport Brief Show. Throughout your recovery, you've even worked out with someone like, like Von Miller. He's always happy, go lucky, he's having a good time.

What was that experience like as you were going through your own rehab process? And then lo and behold, there's Von with you. It was funny. I blew out my knee and was going through rehab and showed up one day and there was Von. And Grunk was there too.

And, you know, it was a pretty funny trio. Von was always kind of just happy, go lucky. And was, didn't ever take anything too seriously.

But he definitely knows how to turn on when he needs to, obviously. And, I mean, I've trained with a lot of athletes, you know, Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews. And, you know, I feel like, you know, athletes know, you know, when it's really time to work. And, you know, those guys were all the same in that way. They're all in very great shape, though. Those are big guys.

They have a lot of muscles. But I kept up with them. You know, I held my own. There's no doubt about it. Well, Lindsay, here's a difference.

They play on a team with 52 other folks, 15 other guys. You're out there when you were on the slopes. You went down them hills. You went down there solo. Like, talk about the mindset that differs between just being an athlete in the zone by yourself and participating in a team sport. Is it more difficult?

Would you find it? Or do you think it's a little bit easier when you can rely on other folks? You know, as much as I love being a team, because I think there was a large team component to ski racing, I liked relying on myself and being accountable only for myself. You know, I have a hard time, you know, relying on others, not just in sports, but I guess everywhere. You know, it's very liberating to be in control, you know, of your success or failure. I think, you know, I was never obviously on a professional sports team, but I think, you know, having to work together and really be in sync with so many other people would be incredibly hard because, you know, you're working as hard as you can, but you're relying on everyone else to be working as hard as they are as well, and to also not only work hard, but, you know, again, work hard in the same direction and always be in sync. So I think there is a lot to be said for being an individual athlete and how liberating that is, but obviously team sports are amazing to watch, so not going to say anything bad there.

I can dig it. Lindsey Vonn here with us as we get ready to wrap up. It's unfortunate. Some of the first news I learned and heard this morning was about Brittany Greiner, and you talk about being able to rely on yourself and being in a space. It's unimaginable what she has already faced and what she might face. What are your thoughts on that unfortunate situation? Yeah, I mean, without getting into it too much, we had the same birthday, by the way, but, you know, I feel terrible for what's happened. You know, I think I rely on our government to really be able to handle that, and it's very unfortunate that she lost her appeal, but, you know, I can't say her intent, and I'm definitely not going to insert myself into the situation, but just from a moral perspective, I hope that she's able to come home.

Absolutely. Well, you've done an amazing job, as I said, helping out other people in your own way. Where can people find out more information?

You struggle with sleep and insomnia. Where can people find out more info? I say follow my Instagram, Lindsey Vonn. You know, I just kind of, again, it's very therapeutic for me to share my story, and hopefully that helps others, and you can find everything you need to know about QVIC and my depression and my books and a lot of other fun stuff. So I'd say follow me there, and you can find everything else out. For all the amazing things that you've done, what's coming next?

Is there one more box that you want to check? There's a lot. I mean, honestly, I'm leaving every door open. I don't know what tomorrow will hold, but I have my production company at my goggle line. I have my ski clothing line.

I'm an investor in an LP and some funds. I like challenges, so you never know what to expect with me. I'll probably come up with something new tomorrow. Beautiful, and I appreciate, like I said, how you help other people. Lindsey Vonn has joined us.

It's the JR Sport Brief Show right here on CBS Sports Radio. This is your operating system talking, not your computers or your phones, but your internal human operating system. I'm feeling a little overloaded. Here's how you can ease my stress. Close your eyes or softly gaze at something in front of you. Now inhale for four counts, exhale for six. Keep repeating. Much better. Longer term, there's BetterHelp online therapy.

They'll match us with the licensed therapist we can connect with via video, phone, or chat. Visit betterhelp.com slash positive and save 10% on our first month. If you're feeling down and having trouble getting up in the morning, here's a tip. Brush your teeth.

That's it. Often when we wake up, our brains go into planning mode, which leads to overthinking and stress before our head even leaves the pillow. Something simple like brushing your teeth can break that cycle and jump start your day. This tip was brought to you by BetterHelp online therapy, which connects you with the licensed therapist via video, phone, or online chat.

Visit betterhelp.com slash positive and save 10% on your first month. This is your operating system talking. Not your computers or your phones, but your internal human operating system. I'm feeling a little overloaded. Here's how you can ease my stress. Close your eyes or softly gaze at something in front of you. Now, inhale for four counts, exhale for six. Keep repeating. Much better. Longer term, there's BetterHelp online therapy. They'll match us with the licensed therapist we can connect with via video, phone, or chat. Visit betterhelp.com slash positive and save 10% on your first month.