Ski mogul: Olympic silver medalist Shannon Bahrke's zeal for her sport has propelled her into skiing's elite

American Fitness, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Bonnie Siegler

Eager to follow a fast-paced exercise routine to prepare for ski moguls, Olympic ski champion Shannon Bahrke mountain bikes, hikes, water skis and takes to the links six times a week. "I love being outdoors, experiencing the mountains and fresh air, so my exercise routine is pretty much the same," the 23-year-old Park City, Utah, resident says with a laugh. "So many outdoor activities cross train for ski season. For instance, water skiing is awesome because you use your back a lot--a direct relationship to mogul skiing. Having a strong back is essential."

With over 15 career top-10 finishes for Freestyle Ski Moguls on the World Cup circuit, the 5'4" natural athlete complements her outdoor activities with regular gym routines. "Depending on the phase of the year we do different things, but most of the time it's endurance training. We need a lot of endurance to last the whole season," Bahrke explains. "There's also a lot of strength training to keep muscles fit while building them--making sure they can take the impact of what we do." Intervals of 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off are an integral part of Bahrke's training. "Because a mogul run is only 30 to 40 seconds, you need a lot of energy in a short burst of time," she says.

Living in Park City with her boyfriend, skier Geoff Lewis, Bahrke says it doesn't really matter if it's winter or summer--she is full of energy six days a week, whether it's for golf and a hike or skiing from nine to four. "I'm gone all day," she relates.

Sure, she's got youth on her side, but Bahrke admits she's always been a high-energy person. "I think most of my friends get annoyed that I have so much energy, but I think the reason I do is because I love skiing. I love where I live, too," she adds. "Being in Park City is one of the most amazing things and keeps me motivated everyday. To feel the wind in your hair, the snow beneath your feet--it's exhilarating!"

While growing up in Lake Tahoe, California, Bahrke started skiing at the early age of three. Later, she became an alpine racer at North Tahoe High School "just to get out of class." In addition, she played soccer, softball and ran track. Her family still lives in Lake Tahoe, in the same house they bought 25 years ago. "I love being with my family in my downtime," says Bahrke, who acknowledges it's not very often due to her recent travels--Lake Placid, Japan, Boise, the World Championships in Deer Valley. "But, I'm such a family person," she insists. "Seeing my little brother, who's also a freestyle athlete, is so great." Other leisure activities include shopping--"I'm a shopaholic"--and watching a little television--"Seinfeld reruns, The Simpsons and Will & Grace. But, there isn't much TV watching in my house because there's always something going on."

Bahrke credits her boyfriend's culinary skills with keeping the kitchen a place of activity. "I don't cook, really," she admits. "Geoff taught me how to cook because he loves it. He cooks for me all the time when I'm home. But, I can make a mean teriyaki chicken stir fry." Meals are usually topped off with "Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream. That's my biggest guilty pleasure," Bahrke reveals. "I'll even have it when I'm freezing in the winter, but I get the low-fat kind so I feel I can eat twice as much." To ensure good health, Bahrke also takes a daily iron supplement "because iron helps oxygen get to your blood faster," a multi-vitamin that includes glucosamine and condroitin "which keeps your joints limber and loose," and vitamin C with calcium. Maintaining a well-balanced diet adds to Bahrke's vibrancy and longevity. "I try to eat balanced meals with a lot of protein and colored vegetables. When I train, I drink a lot of Gatorade and recovery drinks because of studies on recovery and what your muscles need to get the lactic acid out," she reasons.

That comment comes from a girl who begrudgingly started skiing when her mother took her out on weekends. Bahrke insists she went so she could hang around the candy shop in the lodge. However, cruising home a few years ago from winning the Gold Cup in Deer Valley, Utah, and a guaranteed Olympic spot, Bahrke was glad her mom taught her to ski and enjoy the sport. "A lot of skiers aren't having enough fun," she observes. "I'm the type of skier that the more fun I'm having, the better I ski."

Bahrke's got the medals and trophies to prove it. "The most significant thing I've won was the Olympic medal. It really helped define who I am and pushed me in a direction I never thought I could go," she affirms. "I think that's one of my biggest accomplishments--it's a moment of truth in my life. Standing on the top of the course with nobody to help you get down except you--that's really a self-accomplishment." In fact, she wasn't even wearing her lucky socks. "I abandoned having anything lucky years ago," Bahrke declares. "Athletes are so wrapped up in that, but I said, 'I'm not going to have anything lucky. If I do it, it's because I'm good enough, not because of a pair of lucky red socks.'"