The Most Decorated Winter Olympian Ever: Johannes Klæbo On Training, Mindset & Reinventing His Sport
Johannes Klæbo, the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete, discusses his training regimen, mental strategies, and the evolution of cross-country skiing. He emphasizes the importance of technique, enjoyment in sport, and the balance between physical and mental preparation for competitions.
Summary
In a conversation with an interviewer, Johannes Klæbo shares insights into his impressive career as a 13-time Olympic medalist, emphasizing his unique approach to cross-country skiing that combines speed, endurance, and technical skill. He mentions the high energy expenditure required for performances like running uphill on skis, which has modernized the sport and increased its visibility. Klæbo's training regimen includes an extensive amount of hours dedicated to both physical and technical preparation, with a particular focus on VO2 max and mastering different techniques specific to varying terrains. He credits his success to a blend of hard work, the significance of having fun in training, and a supportive family environment, which includes his grandfather as a coach and his father managing his career. The conversation also addresses mental aspects, as Klæbo describes strategies for maintaining motivation, handling pressure, and enjoying the sport despite high expectations. Klæbo's experience with balancing training intensity and recovery practices, such as the use of saunas and sleep, reflects a comprehensive understanding of the physical demands of elite competition. Looking ahead, he acknowledges the possibility of competing in future Olympics while maintaining a focus on year-by-year performance improvements.
About this episode
Johannes Klæbo is a Norwegian cross-country skier, an 11-time Olympic gold medalist, and the most decorated Winter Olympian in history. Johannes caught the world's attention with his signature sprinting on skis, sweeping his events and winning the most gold medals ever at a single Winter Olympics. But it wasn't always so; this conversation explores how he got from the middle of the pack at age 14 to the top of Olympic history. We get into Norway's philosophy of raising top athletes, the training mishap that turned into his uphill technique, his 32-hour training week, and his competitive spirit that never switches off. He also tells me the one thing he changed before the Olympics, and it has nothing to do with training. At only 29 Johannes is already one of the greatest Olympians of all time, and it was an honor to have this conversation with him. Enjoy. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://stories.rivian.com/richroll WHOOP: Join now and get one month free👉🏼https://www.join.whoop.com/Roll Go Brewing: Use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF👉🏼https://www.gobrewing.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors👉🏼https://www.richroll.com/sponsors Find out more about Voicing Change Media at https://www.voicingchange.media and follow us @voicingchange Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Key Insights
- Klæbo emphasizes his intense dislike for losing, which drives his competitive mindset.
- He explains that the viral moment of him running uphill on skis significantly raised awareness of cross-country skiing.
- He highlights the importance of technique and how different inclines require specific adaptations in skiing.
- The discussion reveals that Klæbo shifted his training focus from sprinting to endurance training as he matured.
- He attributes part of his success to his grandfather's guidance and the personalization of training methods.
- Klæbo notes that fun and enjoyment were critical factors leading to his six gold medals in the World Championships.
- He outlines his anxiety about getting sick before major competitions, which has impacted his mental state.
- Klæbo insists that sleep and nutrition are fundamental aspects of his recovery process.
- He argues that the mental aspect of racing becomes increasingly important when defending titles as opposed to attacking.
- Klæbo describes how his innovative uphill skiing technique results in higher energy expenditure and distinct competitive advantages.
- His training sessions include a blended approach of running, cycling, and roller skiing to simulate race conditions.
- Klæbo expresses the ambition to one day compete in the 2034 Olympics in Salt Lake City, viewing it as a potential dream finish.
Topics
Transcript
There goes Klabo! The amount of energy expenditure that is required for you to do that has to be insane. I saw the video myself and I was like, that looks pretty good. 13-time Olympic medalist, 11 gold medals, the most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics, most career gold medals won by any Winter Olympic athlete. Like, it's insane what you've accomplished. I always had this mindset where I hate to lose. The feeling of winning a race is amazing. The feeling of becoming second is so much worse. It is a mental game. You are saying that, okay, we just go over the next hill, the next hill, and then you just continue to trick your…
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