MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 06: Flagbearer Erin Jackson of Crew United States leads the crew within the parade through the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photograph by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs) | Getty Photographs
It has been just a few weeks because the Milan Cortina motion wrapped, however simply because the Olympics are over doesn’t imply that the athletes who we noticed partake in them are accomplished competing.
Pace skater Erin Jackson isn’t any exception on this sense. Erin is in the midst of her season and was within the Netherlands when she caught up with SB Nation to speak concerning the whirlwind of the previous couple of months. You’ll be able to watch our dialog beneath.
It was fascinating to listen to what it’s like for skilled athletes to should pause their “regular” season to go to compete within the Olympics after which return to “regular” life. This isn’t leaving your desk, all due respect, to go to a special desk and return house after a month. That is the very best potential degree of competitors {that a} human being can obtain and balancing all of that’s troublesome.
Erin famous that she makes it a follow of conserving her head down in order that she will be able to concentrate on the duty or problem straight forward of her. That is good perspective and one thing that we will all do in our personal walks of life.
It was very clear and obvious that Erin has a correct North Star in her personal life. She joined us on behalf of Hershey’s and in her spot with them she talked about how a lot private happiness issues to her greater than any athletic accomplishment.
Happiness is within the moments and experiences we share, not simply the milestones we attain,” mentioned Stacy
Taffet, Chief Progress Officer, The Hershey Firm. “Hershey’s is fueling the model’s momentum by
what issues most: bringing individuals little prized moments of their very own gold. Our new marketing campaign connects
customers to the thrill of the video games and reminds them happiness is inside attain – whilst a
chocolate medal.”As a proud supporter of Crew USA, Hershey’s teamed up with 5 winter Olympic and Paralympic
athletes and their households for this, together with:
- Brenna Huckaby (Para Snowboarding, four-time U.S. Paralympic medalist)
- Erin Jackson (Speedskating, U.S. Olympic gold medalist)
- Hilary Knight (Ice Hockey, four-time U.S. Olympic medalist)
- Jason Brown (Determine Skating, U.S. Olympic bronze medalist)
- Jordan Stolz (Speedskating, U.S. Olympian)
By way of a collection of non-public and genuine anecdotes, these athletes, together with their households, showcase
how happiness just isn’t solely present in successful, however in on a regular basis moments alongside their journey. These
on a regular basis rituals, small victories, and shared experiences matter simply as a lot, and are the final word
reward. To carry these tales to life, Hershey’s interviewed athletes’ households first – asking what they
wished most for them. The reply was unanimous: happiness. Households mirrored on childhood
reminiscences, traditions, and the moments that formed who these athletes are as we speak. These messages had been
later revealed to every athlete, capturing real, unscripted reactions, earlier than stunning them with their
households on set.
It may be troublesome for athletes to return to “regular” following Olympic exercise. Fortunately Erin Jackson is the best particular person for the job, the way in which she is most issues.
