Cross-country ski star Jessie Diggins is taking on her toughest test yet
EIn April, Jessie Diggins sits down with her old coach, Jason Cork, to discuss the year ahead. After working together for the past 15 years, their trust makes continued experimentation possible. “Normally we don’t set result targets. Usually it’s about the process, testing something new,” says Diggins, “but last year was different.”
Without the Olympics or world championships overlapping the World Cup season, the two decided to “seize our opportunity” and set the sole goal of regaining the Crystal Globe, the annual highest honor in the entire country. Shortly after, Diggins developed an eating disorder, which caused him to nearly miss the start of the 2023-2024 season. “I had to put all my goals in a box and think about them week by week,” she says.
Despite internal struggles throughout the season, Diggins did his best to remain open in interviews about her mental health, even if it meant extra scrutiny and stress. “I will never stop talking about the important issues because they are bigger than me. I know I’ll get more haters and trolls, but I won’t shut up and ski,” Diggins says, making a play on the famous quote about LeBron James.
As she prepares for this season, which begins Nov. 29, Diggins has a new set of goals. She wants to improve the little things, like her double-poling technique, while continuing to work on something much bigger: climate advocacy. “I don’t blame anyone for wanting to maintain their privacy, it usually makes life easier. But if I don’t talk about a problem, I’m just perpetuating it,” says Diggins, who wants to be the role model she never had as a young woman.
Diggins is a board member of Protect Our Winters (POW), one of the largest climate advocacy groups in the world. She is integral to training other athletes to become effective climate advocates, using their personal stories to open the door for policy conversations with U.S. Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle. “It gives me an outlet where I can do something instead of being afraid of the changes happening on the planet,” Diggins says. “I have seen winters change a lot in my fifteen years as a professional.”
After becoming the first American to win Olympic gold in cross-country skiing at the 2018 Games, Diggins wanted that medal to mean more than just a personal accolade in a trophy case. “I knew climate change was a big problem. Races were canceled without snow, even in the Alps in mid-January,” says Diggins. “I just didn’t know how to talk about it.”
Later that year, she joined POW for her first lobbying trip to DC, using her medal to get the attention of members of Congress and spark climate conversations. Two years later, she joined the POW board of directors, where she plans to continue after her retirement. “I don’t know when that will be, but I know that skiing will be a huge vacuum that needs to be filled. My interests and strengths align with advocacy work. It gives me a meaning that cannot be taken away. But I know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
This long-term approach has become even more important following the recent US presidential elections, says Diggins. “Climate change is something we will be working on our entire lives. We were born with this problem and will likely pass it on to our children and grandchildren, so it’s important not to burn yourself out. Take a deep breath, spend time in wild places, come back to your desk refreshed and get to work.”
Diggins was nervous before her trip to DC because she didn’t know all the policy goals, facts and statistics. “Many people have difficulty getting started. They care about the climate, but don’t have time to stay abreast of every bill, agenda or new report,” says Diggins. “Instead of fear forcing you to sit back and watch the world burn, I encourage people to take small actions instead of apathy.”
This doesn’t mean you have to be perfect in the process, says Diggins. “I have a super privileged life. I’m flying to Europe to race. I use electricity and have an ecological footprint. I try to compensate for it all, but I’m not perfect and I own that. But being imperfect doesn’t mean you have to stop talking.”
Most U.S. senators and representatives Diggins has spoken to understand that climate change is a problem, she claims. Most even agree that it is man-made, but they debate the best solution for it. “This gives me hope that we can reach across the aisle and all agree on something,” Diggins said.
This year, the new goal is to keep her skiing and advocacy efforts in check. “It’s not about winning because you have no control over that. You can be the best in the world and if someone crashes right in front of you, it’s over,” says Diggins. “But you do gain control over your efforts. I like to go to the bottom of the well to find out what makes me tick. What am I willing to do? How much am I willing to give?”
The same applies to climate policy. “Ultimately, I am not the senator who gets to vote, but I can emphasize that it is important,” Diggins said. “I can control the heart, dedication and passion I put into it. Just because you have no control over the outcome doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time and effort.”
Since the elections, POW has been adjusting its agenda goals to accommodate the new regime of Donald Trump. “We are regrouping to figure out which policies are sustainable and reminding people that climate should not be political. On my last lobbying trip, I met some Republicans in the Climate Solution Caucus. That gave me hope. Progress is being made, even if slowly. In the meantime, I’m just trying to do the next right thing.
The next right thing, Diggins says, is to continue using her voice beyond the confines of racing. “It’s important to be more than an athlete. To care passionately about the climate. To not be perfect and still take action. People need sports heroes who are imperfect; they need to see reality. I sleep better at night because I use my platform for more than just winning.”