March 11, 2025 • 35 mins
Jaelin Kauf spends most of her time at the top of the podium these days. The 2022 Olympic silver medalist mogul skier is making history this season, securing both the overall and dual moguls Crystal Globe, becoming the first American to win a globe since 2015. But as tries to lock in her spot on a 3rd US Olympic Team, the Alta, Wyoming native shares the moments she's learning to appreciate the most, and they're not the ones she spends on the podium. Her perspective is one that is both universal and uniquely challenging to adopt. But she shares how she does it, and it's a strategy that can apply to all of us, on this week's The PowHERful Podcast.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, friends, and welcome to the Powerful Podcast. I'm your
host Aja McCord.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
In this podcast, we introduce you to powerful women who
were changing the game in and outside of their field
of play. These are women's stories, women who happen to
be doing things that many of us can only dream of,
but the lessons and inspiration they share is universal. You guys,
we are less than a year away from the twenty
twenty six Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan, Courtina,
(00:27):
and I am so excited to introduce you to this
woman who has.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Been on five y're this World Cup qualifying season. She
has already brought home a medal for Team USA in
her sport, which is moguls. Meet Jalen Koff. She is
from the tiny little town of Alta, Wyoming, and she
talks us through how she competes in basically like three
sports in one because moguls combines speed with flips with turns,
(00:55):
and it is mesmerizing to watch her compete in moguls.
Ye has won her fourth and fifth consecutive World Cup
victories this season alone, so she's on track to become
a three time Olympian. And she talks us through what
it's like to grow up with parents who also were
professionals in her sport, and then we of course dive
(01:18):
into the viral moment that was the US free ski
team doing a little Dallas Cowboys cheerleader routine and how
moments like that are actually the ones that she's going
to remember most from this season where she has won
so many freaking events. So I cannot wait for you
to listen to this episode of the Powerful Podcast. Meet
Jalen Cough. She is a powerhouse. I am so excited
(01:43):
to introduce you to a woman who is looking to
make some history in Italy next year by participating in
a brand new sport while continuing to cement her legacy
in a sport that she already has made two Olympic
appearances in. She has a dozen plus World Cup victories
and is the seven time, seven time USA champion. Meet
(02:06):
Jalen Koff, who is one of the best mogul skiers
in the entire world. She's already really cemented her legacy
in singles. But Jalen, next year we're going to talk
about duels because it's a brand new Olympic sport and
I'm so excited to talk to you and understand how
you went from all to Wyoming, which is a population
of less than seven hundred according to the Google to
(02:28):
one of the most well traveled, well decorated skiers in
the entire world. Thank you for being on the Powerful podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Super exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I'm so stoked. We so we're talking in almost opposite
time zones right now because you are in Kazakhstan in
the middle of this really critical World Cup season where
you're trying to lock in a spot for Team USA
in twenty twenty six, less than a year away. So
talk to me right now about what this season means
(02:59):
for you as a trying to get one of those
coveted Team USA spots.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Yeah, I mean this season is huge. There is an
Olympic spot on the line based on all of our
World Cups this season, and so we have three more
stops on tour this year, four more World Cups to qualify,
and so it's huge to be able to get that
(03:25):
early decision spot and know that you're going to the
Olympic Games and be able to prepare for that all
summer and all of next season leading into it.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
And sorry not sorry, but we're gonna hype on you
a little bit because this World Cup season is already
starting off pretty darn well. This past weekend, you earned
your fourth and fifth consecutive victories and took the lead
in the World Cup overall moguls standing. So, Jalen, what
are you tapping into this season that you have just
(03:57):
locked in and are able to perform at every single
stop so far?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's it's kind of
been a long time coming, just putting all the pieces
together to make it all all happen this year, and
I've really tapped into just that consistency throughout the day,
being able to put down the runs that I'm after
from start to finished throughout the day and really trying
(04:23):
to build and save that best one for the last
of the day, for that final run, the podium run.
And I feel like I've really consistently been able to
do that this year, which is obviously worked out and
got me some really good results so far.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
So when you say runs throughout the day, walk me
through what a day of competition looks like that you know,
starts with the opening round and then ends up consistently
leading to you being on top of the podium.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yeah, so how are so we have singles and duels?
How the singles day works is everyone gets one run
of qualifications, which is personally my least favorite. It's like
the most kind of nerve racking because I know I'm
good enough to be in finals and you just don't
want to make a stupid mistake at that point. And
(05:19):
then the top sixteen move on to finals, and from
there the top six go to super finals to get
that final run for the ponium Wow. And then for duels,
it's just bracket format, single elimination, working your way through
until the final run, going for one and two ideally.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So my question is how do we take care of
our knees on a competition day because that is a
lot of moguls and I think anybody who has tried
to ski moguls is sitting here doing the math of
how many runs that is and like, I want to
reach for ice packs right now.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Yeah, I'll be honest with you, it's seth my back
that feels it a lot more than the knees. But
getting yeah, a solid warm up in the morning and
make sure that the body is ready to go by
the time the comp comes.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, I can imagine. And it's been so fun because
to prepare for this interview, I've watched a lot more
mogul skiing than I have since you know, twenty twenty
two in Beijing, and it is pretty incredible what you
do not only within the moguls, but then on the
jump itself. And then obviously there's a difference between singles
and duels. So I think singles most of us have
(06:34):
a pretty good idea of like what a very what
you know, what a good singles run looks like. But
duels is making its debut in twenty twenty six, So
can you explain that competition for those of us who
unashamedly a snowboarder here, So I don't do moguls, period
and end of discussion, but I love watching it. So
for duels, break it down for those of us who
(06:56):
don't really understand what that competition looks like.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yeah, So for dual moguls, it's a head to head event,
and so you have red course, blue course. There's a
stargate at the top and when that drops, both competitors go,
and so you're doing your run side by side and
both still the same course. Two jumps mogos in the middle,
(07:22):
and it just, I mean, it's so exciting to be
a part of to watch. It's such a great spectator
event because you just get to see that side by
side comparison. And yeah, when it comes down to it,
you're just trying to beat your competitor to the finish
line and put down a better run than they did.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Okay, so you're racing the person next to you. It's
not like you're a team. This isn't like synchronized diving
type vibes. This is like we're racing next to each other.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, exactly. So, I mean it's we take a pretty
similar run to our singles mogle run, doing a pretty
similar air package, at least on the women's side, And yeah,
you're trying to it's still scored the same, Both jumps
are scored, Your skiing is still compared to each other.
(08:12):
And then there's the time, and yeah, you're just trying
to beat the person down next to you and hope
to move on to the next round. The exciting thing
with duels is anything can happen, like it literally anything
can happen. People blow out, crash like it can be
a lot of chaos, and it can be anyone's day
(08:33):
really well.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
And not only can anything happen, but you can watch
anything happen right next to you, right, That's the part
that's crazy to me. It would be like it almost
it's like to find another sport to compare it to.
It's almost similar to like a bank slalom or like
border cross or you know, like one of those events
where everybody starts at the gate at the same time.
(08:55):
And obviously you're not jarring for position in moguls, but
it's kind of like, what what kind of adrenaline does
that give you as a competitor who's always kind of
flown solo down a run? What kind of emotion does
that bring out of you to watch to like feel
and see in your peripheral the person you're competing against.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Yeah, I mean it's so exciting. Like I've always loved
duels a bit more than singles. I love both, but
with duels it takes a little bit of the thought
out of it of trying to perfect your run, because
when you see someone start to pull ahead of you,
or you hear them skating like next to you or
right behind you, like you're not thinking about it about
(09:39):
like the little things you're just thinking about staying out
in front or just trying to catch up to them
and do whatever you have to do to make it
down and to beat that person. And if yeah, I
mean the adrenaline is pumping the entire way through.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
That is so much fun. I can imagine that like that,
just like like I can feel your excitement and your
competitiveness like kick in just when you're talking about that.
And I think, you know, so many times I'm always
curious how athletes end up in these Olympic sports, but
for you, it's not really a surprise that that competitiveness
(10:15):
and that athleticism and moguls got passed down and you
are one of the best because both of your parents
were professional mogul skiers, right, Yeah, So walk me through
what it was like growing up with parents two parents
who were professionals.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Yeah, I mean, I think, I don't know if everyone
grows up, I guess thinking of being becoming a professional
skier or that being like a career option. And so
that was pretty cool for me to you know, that's
what my parents did for a long time, like watching
old videos of them competing or watching my mom compete
(10:52):
in the X Games and ski across as a kid,
like I grew up seeing that as a possibility option
for myself. And yeah, it's just such a cool world
to grow up and to be a part of What was.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
That like to share that sort of moment with your
mom in particular of going from watching her compete at
X Games, like seeing tapes of her competing at X Games,
to then you deciding to take on this same career path.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Yeah, I mean, I think with both my parents, it's
just been really special to share that with them, Like
I always know that they understand what I'm going through.
They understand what it's like to be an athlete, to
be in the positions that I'm in, and kind of
that comp mentality and love for mogul skiing as well,
(11:48):
Like to all be able to share that is really
cool in it. I think it's amazing that they have
that we share that understanding of it.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Was there ever any moment growing up because I know,
you know, I competed athletically growing up in like every
sport under the sun, but softphone in particular, And it's
always interesting to figure out how parents walk that line
of being a coach and also being a parent. How
(12:19):
did that go in your household growing up?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah, I mean both of my parents were just kind
of always a coach in some area there. I mean
obviously growing up in a very small town of under
seven hundred people, Like they were my soccer coaches, and
(12:44):
they when my brother and I wanted to start mogil
skiing and freestyle skiing, like there wasn't a freestyle program
at the mountain, and so they would just kind of
take us to events and teach us how to do
through six sees and ski mogul and so it was
just kind of always something that like that was a
(13:04):
part of our family and something that was so normal
for me for them to coach me. And I think
also them being athletes themselves, did a really great job
of not putting the pressure on me of this is
what you have to do, like you you have to
(13:25):
be a skier, you have to love mogals skiing, Like
they just put my brother and I in every sport.
We tried everything, and we're going to support us in
no matter what we chose to do.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
What was it about moguls that ended up setting that
one apart from everything else you tried?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Yeah, I mean, I I love skiing, like I feel
like there's just such a deep love for being in
the mountains, for being on snow from I mean, my family,
the community, like where I grew up, that was just
so instilled in me. And so it's going to be
something with skiing, something in the mountains. And I tried
(14:06):
alpine skiing, I did Big Mountain, I did skiercross, like
kind of tried all the sports and did them through
about halfway through high school, I guess like junior year
maybe with my last year doing another event. And with
Mogle skiing, what it came down to is it combines
every aspect of skiing into one run. Like it has
(14:28):
the jumping, it has the speed, and has the technical skiing,
and it just packs that into an under thirty second
run and so it just, yeah, had a bit of
everything in it.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
I'm so glad you put it that way, because I
think that's one of the things that like when you
watch moguls, you really do see like the speed of alpine,
you see the excitement of the jump, and like it's
just like when a mogle skier is in rhythm with
the moguls themselves. It is one of the most beautiful
aspects of skiing, because it's just like your knees are
(15:01):
bending in the right, you know, right with the thing,
and da da da da da. What is that feeling like?
Because I'll never feel it, but I want to know,
Like what does that feel like when you're in that
sort of flow state and just in rhythm with the mountain?
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Yeah, I mean that's exactly it, Like it is that
flow state you're like, it's kind of the same as
like just out free skiing, like making some like nice
powder turns of your not thinking about it. It's all
just happening and like it's just working so perfectly, like
you're just in that flow and don't have to think
(15:38):
about it. And like I always say, if you're thinking
about it, then it's probably not going well.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Very valid, very valid if you're not like trusting your
body to do all of the work that you've put in,
all of the time and all of the training to
do something's a little out of rhythm there. Yeah, so
you want the silver and two in Beijing, but I
know it was a really long Like at the beginning
of this we listed all of your accolades and they
are so impressive. They are worthy of being recognized, but
(16:10):
I know that that road was so far from easy,
and it's easy to count the accolades, but they come
with so many lessons, with so many bumps and bruises.
When you put that silver medal around your neck in
twenty twenty two, what was the thing that you were
the most proud of yourself for overcoming to get to
that point where you are an Olympic medalist.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Yeah, I mean man, yeah, After like the twenty eighteen Olympics,
my first Olympics was definitely a very bittersweet experience for me,
and I felt like I had a little something more
in the tank at the end of the day at
(16:53):
those Olympic Games, I feel like I could have put
more out there. I could have, you know, pushed a
litle little more in my runs. And that was a
horrible feeling to leave those games with, to feel like
I didn't put it all out there. And so going
into the twenty twenty two Olympics, that was my goal
(17:19):
once I got there, was every single run, qualification, final,
super finals, every run I was I wanted to be
able to look back after I crossed the finish line
and know that I'd given it everything, because not every
run was guaranteed, you know. In twenty eighteen, I learned
(17:41):
that lesson of I finished seventh, the top six got
to move on and ski for the medals. So that
was heartbreaking to not get that final run to put
it all out there at those games. And I wasn't
going to let myself do that again in twenty twenty two.
I was going to just ski every run for me,
(18:01):
just let the pressure go and just have as much
fun as I can, take every single moment in and
just put it all out there every time. And so
I was really proud of myself to be able to
do exactly that that entire week of skiing, every day
of training, Like every run I skied, I seriously had
(18:23):
so much fun. Yeah, every run, I feel like I
put everything I could out there. I skied as hard
as I could, and I knew like there was nothing
more I could have given, and so I was just
obviously winning an Olympic medal is is the dream. But
(18:44):
even without that, like I knew I did everything I
wanted to those games.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
I think so often as athletes, we tend to be
very results oriented, because that's obviously you're going for a result, right,
Like we all love the game itself, and there's an
element of like, you love skiing, and that's why you
do it, and that's why you do it as a profession.
But I think you know, I was a competitive gymnast
and there's that results oriented feeling of like I'll be
(19:13):
happy if I get this metal or I'll be happy
if I get this result, And it sounds like you
became much more process oriented, of like it doesn't actually
matter how I end up as long as I left
everything out there, and that like is more of a
process oriented mindset than a results oriented mindset, which is
(19:34):
always a really important thing for me personally to be
reminded about. Is like switching, switching my mindset from result
to process. How did you do that? How did you
switch your mindset from twenty eighteen to twenty two to
where you became. It's all about the process. It's all
about just making sure I leave everything out there and
(19:56):
like trust that, you know, let the chips fall where
they may.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
After that, Yeah, I mean it was a constant battle
and constant learning curve of you know, even a week
before the games of our last training camp, that last competition,
maybe two weeks before the Games, like I was not
feeling that way. I was not in a good mental
(20:20):
space at all. I was very low in confidence and
bury down on myself. And I mean talking to a
lot of different friends and mentors and former athletes in
the sport to just yeah, be able to kind of
(20:44):
recognize that it is all about the journey. Like it's
obviously we have those goals of you know, I want
to win, I want to get an Olympic medal, and
that's what that's what drives us, but it truly is
so much about the process. Like looking back on competitions
(21:08):
in my entire career, it's not those moments of like
besides maybe the Olympics of like standing on the podium.
Actually that like is what you truly remember, you know,
it's all those in between, the times with friends and
teammates and all those little moments here and there. And
(21:29):
so that's what that was really about with the Games
for me, was enjoying every single moment of it and
taking all of that in because I think you miss
out a lot if you're just so zoned in on
one single thing and not able to enjoy it along
the way.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
How has that mindset affected the way that you prepare
for this next games, because it sounds like that was
something that had to switch like a week before, and
now it's been settling for three years and you're in
the process of this World Cup qualifying season. You are,
you know, from a results perspective, you are as on
(22:12):
fire as you have ever been. How do you feel
like understanding that mindset has helped you have different results
and have like enjoy sort of the fruits of almost
not worrying about the results.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's been huge for me
this year. Of obviously there's there's always going to be
some like thinking about the result and I'm going out
because I want to win and I know that I
can win, But there's also I think for me, I've
(22:50):
tried to really focus on what I can control and
those those little things of when it comes down to it,
it's a judge sport. I have no control over what
they're going to decide to score my jumps or my
turns or whatever it is, and so I can only
(23:10):
control what I do and trying to focus on my
goals of being I want to hit this jump this way,
or I want to have the fastest time or these
little things in my own skiing in my run. Because
you can win and not be happy with how you skied.
(23:32):
I guess if you're happy with what you did and
your performance and how you skied, then really that's all
that matters, and that's all that you can control. So
trying to focus on that as much as possible.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
And when we talk about the in between moments, I
have been watching this season for you pretty closely, and
yet I'll be honest with you, among all of your victories,
the moment that stands out is the doubt Cowboys cheerleader
moment that the Free Ski Tene decided to embrace earlier
this season. If you have not seen the video, we
(24:08):
will link it. We'll put it in the comments or
in the description on YouTube, and then make sure that
if you're listening to this podcast you come to our
social page, I'll have a link for it there. Walk
me through how this came about, that we were out
here doing a cheerleading routine in what looked like a
decent amount of snowfall, and you guys were having the
(24:28):
time of your lives.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Yeah, so I guess I don't know exactly. I think
just how it started is one of my teammates, Casey Hogg,
has been watching or as maybe just always watched the
DCC show and was talking about like learning their TikTok dance,
(24:50):
And so we had a week training camp up in
Canada and started to learn it, and then it spurred
into her continuing to choreograph more onto the end of
it and turned into like a two minute performance at
that point, and it was just too good not to share.
(25:11):
And so we had our World Cup at Deer Valley
and it just seemed like under the lights at night,
the perfect like a big crowd, the perfect opportunity, opportunity
to be able to perform it. So we ordered our
pom Poms and got them to play the song for us,
and yeah, put on a performance down at the bottom
(25:32):
of the course.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
What was that like, because like, so there's a different
type of nerves, right, so from like to like performing
something that is not your sport. How did that feel?
What was going on inside your your stomach when when
you were waiting for that music to drop.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yeah, I was very nervous about it. And it was
like I had so many like friends and family and
like a bunch of people they all have their phones
out videoing, and I mean, I am. I love to dance,
but it's like not my strongest suit. Maybe, Like I
was in dance as a kid, and I was the
(26:11):
kid who was always watching, just like one beat behind
everyone else. So I was definitely very nervous before doing that,
a lot more nervous than I thought it would be.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
But more nervous it was going for the going for
the metal that night or doing the dance.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Doing the dance, for sure, I was very I was
not nervous at the Olympics, like my final run. It was. Yeah,
I was so much more nervous for this dance.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
And then once you got out there and people start cheering,
you get in the rhythm of it. How much did
that become? Like I can imagine that's one of those
moments when you look back at your career, when you
look back this season, you remember the victories, but my gosh,
where does that memory stack up?
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Oh yeah, I'll never forget that one. Yeah, who knows,
maybe we'll keep working on new dances and this will
become a thing that we started doing. But yeah, it
became a fun, like fun thing for us to do.
We have so much downtime on the road and all
(27:21):
these places to just yeah, add some dancing to our
warm up and yeah, it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
It's giving. Like remember the Titans when they walk into
the dancing warm up song. I think this is I
think this could work. I think this could become Ura Mantra.
I think I think let me know how this goes. Yeah, okay,
so you'll have a few more events in this twenty
twenty five qualifying year, World Cup Finals, and then I
(27:51):
believe Championships right a few weeks later, So for you,
what are your biggest goals for the rest of this season,
this qualifying year for the twenty twenty six game.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Yeah, so right now, I have my sight set on
a couple of globes this season that I am in
the running for. There's the I guess I'm leading right
now both the dual Mogul Globe and then the overall
(28:21):
for Mogal and single globe. So yeah, with one more
with World Cup Finals, hoping to take those and take
the overall leader for the World Cup season, which would
also I think lock in my Olympic qualification spot for
next year, which would be huge. And then yeah, World Championships.
(28:47):
I got two silvers at the last World Championships, so
hoping to bump that up to gold this time.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Awesome. Well, we cannot wait to reach you on in
the remaining part of this season and then hopefully into
twenty twenty six. So yeah, so fun to get to
know you. We have a few more segments. We're gonna
switch gears now into what we call our something to
Sip on segment. It is brought to you by the
sports Bra, which is a women's sports bar in Portland, Oregon,
(29:14):
and so Jalen. The week of your episode, they are
going to be serving a drink called the Jalen and
it is the cocktail or mocktail of your choosing. What
are you sipping on around the world? What is your
go to drink?
Speaker 3 (29:29):
I really have to go with the margarita here, I mean,
why not only my go too?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
So any particular flavors or are we doing with just
like the original classic?
Speaker 3 (29:41):
I would go with a spicy margarita.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Ooh, I love a good spicy marg I love a
good spicy margaret. It's hard to do, but I have
had the sports Bras before very good, so I have
no doubt they will They will do you justice crazy
and now it's time for our Powered Up segment. This
is where we do rapid fire questions and just try
to get to know you a little bit better. So
(30:06):
coffee or tea coffee? Favorite ice cream flavor.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
Tillamook utterly chocolate. But if I have to go like
standard non like brand ice cream flavor, I would go
most tracks.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Shout out to Tillamook, though, because that is I don't know.
Is Wyoming considered the Pacific Northwest? Like do y'all consider
yourself the West? Okay? Because Tillamook is an Oregon brand, right.
I lived in Oregon for a really long time and
I have I was. I love Tillamook everything Tillamook. It
just like good levels up cheese, ice cream. Tillamook, you
(30:43):
do it great. Shout out to tillamok they know what
they're doing. What is your go to meal before or
after competing in Moguls?
Speaker 3 (30:49):
I would say with it my go to meal before
if I we definitely, you know, deal with what we
have on the road. But if I'm choosing before, I
would make a like avocado toast with some cheese and
egg on it.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Girl after my own heart A little regular girl after
my own heart. I love a good avocado toast for breakfast.
Are you a night owl or an early bird?
Speaker 3 (31:17):
Night? How?
Speaker 1 (31:18):
What is your favorite place your sport has taken you.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
My favorite place to sport has taken me would have
to be Japan. I love it.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Oh cool, cool, They have gotten some massive snowfall this year.
Everybody who loves skiing and snowboarding seems like they're going
to Japan.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Yeah, I would love to go.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
You're like, but I'm trying to qualify for an Olympics.
So next, next record snowfall.
Speaker 3 (31:44):
I'll be out there.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
If you were not a Olympic mogul skier, what sport
would you want to be an Olympian in?
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Let's see, Yeah, another sport i'd want to be an
Olympian in. I think I would go with hockey. I
think it would be really cool to be a part
of a team event, and I think hockey is really cool.
I'm no good, but I think it's a very cool sport.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
It is a very cool sport. I'm with you on that.
That's awesome. What is your dream vacation spot.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
On my dream vacation spot, Oh, I don't know. I'm
really thinking about skiing in Japan now, but also going
surfing somewhere, So.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
I'm okay, So maybe a little trip to Fichi is
on your on your vation. Yeah, oh that's fun. If
you need some surf trip advice, that's that's my thing.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
So you let me know. I'm always looking for surf
trip advice.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
So fine, okay, Well we'll plan a surf trip after
after Milan Courtina next year. That's on our that's on
our radar. What is the wildest mishap? I'm not talking
toious injury. We're trying to keep this light. So what
is the wildest mishap you've ever had in your sport?
Speaker 3 (33:07):
The wildest mishap? I don't.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
I keep it together all the time.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
There's nothing I well, I guess what comes to It's
not like wild. But I forgot my boots at the
hotel one time in China, oh and had to like
I got there in time for skiing, but like in
between qualifications and finals, and it was very stressful because
(33:34):
the bus drivers like were just taking their cigarette breaks
and wouldn't drive me back to the hotel to get
my boots. So I was in full panic. Oh no,
I got them eventually and it was.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Fine, Okay, good geez, that would be very stressful to
compete without, so I'd be like, I need I need these.
I can't just fit into somebody else's okay. And then
the last question is this is the Powerful podcast and
we are so excited to be highlighting powerful women like yourself. So, Jalen,
when I say the word powerful with the H in
the middle, what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (34:09):
I mean, I feel like what jumps out to me
is like, that's how it should be. Like women are
just have so much power and strength and resiliency and
to highlight that and to I guess, be a part
of that, be able to be someone that that kids'
(34:29):
girls can look up to and feel inspired by is
is really amazing. And yeah, it's really it's really cool.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
I agree with you wholeheartedly. So thank you Jalen for
taking the time, managing the time zones to be on
this podcast. It's been so fun getting to know you,
and I cannot wait to continue to reach you on
here in this qualifying season and then hopefully in Italy
next year. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Yeah, of course, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
All right pap for pod Squad. We will see you
next week. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
This is a.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Reminder to check us out every Tuesday everywhere you get
your podcasts. And if you really enjoy this and don't
want to miss an episode, be sure to hit that
subscribe button,
Hello, friends, and welcome to the Powerful Podcast. I'm your
host Aja McCord.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
In this podcast, we introduce you to powerful women who
were changing the game in and outside of their field
of play. These are women's stories, women who happen to
be doing things that many of us can only dream of,
but the lessons and inspiration they share is universal. You guys,
we are less than a year away from the twenty
twenty six Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milan, Courtina,
(00:27):
and I am so excited to introduce you to this
woman who has.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Been on five y're this World Cup qualifying season. She
has already brought home a medal for Team USA in
her sport, which is moguls. Meet Jalen Koff. She is
from the tiny little town of Alta, Wyoming, and she
talks us through how she competes in basically like three
sports in one because moguls combines speed with flips with turns,
(00:55):
and it is mesmerizing to watch her compete in moguls.
Ye has won her fourth and fifth consecutive World Cup
victories this season alone, so she's on track to become
a three time Olympian. And she talks us through what
it's like to grow up with parents who also were
professionals in her sport, and then we of course dive
(01:18):
into the viral moment that was the US free ski
team doing a little Dallas Cowboys cheerleader routine and how
moments like that are actually the ones that she's going
to remember most from this season where she has won
so many freaking events. So I cannot wait for you
to listen to this episode of the Powerful Podcast. Meet
Jalen Cough. She is a powerhouse. I am so excited
(01:43):
to introduce you to a woman who is looking to
make some history in Italy next year by participating in
a brand new sport while continuing to cement her legacy
in a sport that she already has made two Olympic
appearances in. She has a dozen plus World Cup victories
and is the seven time, seven time USA champion. Meet
(02:06):
Jalen Koff, who is one of the best mogul skiers
in the entire world. She's already really cemented her legacy
in singles. But Jalen, next year we're going to talk
about duels because it's a brand new Olympic sport and
I'm so excited to talk to you and understand how
you went from all to Wyoming, which is a population
of less than seven hundred according to the Google to
(02:28):
one of the most well traveled, well decorated skiers in
the entire world. Thank you for being on the Powerful podcast.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Yeah, thank you so much for having me. Super exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
I'm so stoked. We so we're talking in almost opposite
time zones right now because you are in Kazakhstan in
the middle of this really critical World Cup season where
you're trying to lock in a spot for Team USA
in twenty twenty six, less than a year away. So
talk to me right now about what this season means
(02:59):
for you as a trying to get one of those
coveted Team USA spots.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Yeah, I mean this season is huge. There is an
Olympic spot on the line based on all of our
World Cups this season, and so we have three more
stops on tour this year, four more World Cups to qualify,
and so it's huge to be able to get that
(03:25):
early decision spot and know that you're going to the
Olympic Games and be able to prepare for that all
summer and all of next season leading into it.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
And sorry not sorry, but we're gonna hype on you
a little bit because this World Cup season is already
starting off pretty darn well. This past weekend, you earned
your fourth and fifth consecutive victories and took the lead
in the World Cup overall moguls standing. So, Jalen, what
are you tapping into this season that you have just
(03:57):
locked in and are able to perform at every single
stop so far?
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, I mean, I feel like it's it's kind of
been a long time coming, just putting all the pieces
together to make it all all happen this year, and
I've really tapped into just that consistency throughout the day,
being able to put down the runs that I'm after
from start to finished throughout the day and really trying
(04:23):
to build and save that best one for the last
of the day, for that final run, the podium run.
And I feel like I've really consistently been able to
do that this year, which is obviously worked out and
got me some really good results so far.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
So when you say runs throughout the day, walk me
through what a day of competition looks like that you know,
starts with the opening round and then ends up consistently
leading to you being on top of the podium.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yeah, so how are so we have singles and duels?
How the singles day works is everyone gets one run
of qualifications, which is personally my least favorite. It's like
the most kind of nerve racking because I know I'm
good enough to be in finals and you just don't
want to make a stupid mistake at that point. And
(05:19):
then the top sixteen move on to finals, and from
there the top six go to super finals to get
that final run for the ponium Wow. And then for duels,
it's just bracket format, single elimination, working your way through
until the final run, going for one and two ideally.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
So my question is how do we take care of
our knees on a competition day because that is a
lot of moguls and I think anybody who has tried
to ski moguls is sitting here doing the math of
how many runs that is and like, I want to
reach for ice packs right now.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
Yeah, I'll be honest with you, it's seth my back
that feels it a lot more than the knees. But
getting yeah, a solid warm up in the morning and
make sure that the body is ready to go by
the time the comp comes.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Yeah, I can imagine. And it's been so fun because
to prepare for this interview, I've watched a lot more
mogul skiing than I have since you know, twenty twenty
two in Beijing, and it is pretty incredible what you
do not only within the moguls, but then on the
jump itself. And then obviously there's a difference between singles
and duels. So I think singles most of us have
(06:34):
a pretty good idea of like what a very what
you know, what a good singles run looks like. But
duels is making its debut in twenty twenty six, So
can you explain that competition for those of us who
unashamedly a snowboarder here, So I don't do moguls, period
and end of discussion, but I love watching it. So
for duels, break it down for those of us who
(06:56):
don't really understand what that competition looks like.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Yeah, So for dual moguls, it's a head to head event,
and so you have red course, blue course. There's a
stargate at the top and when that drops, both competitors go,
and so you're doing your run side by side and
both still the same course. Two jumps mogos in the middle,
(07:22):
and it just, I mean, it's so exciting to be
a part of to watch. It's such a great spectator
event because you just get to see that side by
side comparison. And yeah, when it comes down to it,
you're just trying to beat your competitor to the finish
line and put down a better run than they did.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Okay, so you're racing the person next to you. It's
not like you're a team. This isn't like synchronized diving
type vibes. This is like we're racing next to each other.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
Yeah, exactly. So, I mean it's we take a pretty
similar run to our singles mogle run, doing a pretty
similar air package, at least on the women's side, And yeah,
you're trying to it's still scored the same, Both jumps
are scored, Your skiing is still compared to each other.
(08:12):
And then there's the time, and yeah, you're just trying
to beat the person down next to you and hope
to move on to the next round. The exciting thing
with duels is anything can happen, like it literally anything
can happen. People blow out, crash like it can be
a lot of chaos, and it can be anyone's day
(08:33):
really well.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
And not only can anything happen, but you can watch
anything happen right next to you, right, That's the part
that's crazy to me. It would be like it almost
it's like to find another sport to compare it to.
It's almost similar to like a bank slalom or like
border cross or you know, like one of those events
where everybody starts at the gate at the same time.
(08:55):
And obviously you're not jarring for position in moguls, but
it's kind of like, what what kind of adrenaline does
that give you as a competitor who's always kind of
flown solo down a run? What kind of emotion does
that bring out of you to watch to like feel
and see in your peripheral the person you're competing against.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Yeah, I mean it's so exciting. Like I've always loved
duels a bit more than singles. I love both, but
with duels it takes a little bit of the thought
out of it of trying to perfect your run, because
when you see someone start to pull ahead of you,
or you hear them skating like next to you or
right behind you, like you're not thinking about it about
(09:39):
like the little things you're just thinking about staying out
in front or just trying to catch up to them
and do whatever you have to do to make it
down and to beat that person. And if yeah, I
mean the adrenaline is pumping the entire way through.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
That is so much fun. I can imagine that like that,
just like like I can feel your excitement and your
competitiveness like kick in just when you're talking about that.
And I think, you know, so many times I'm always
curious how athletes end up in these Olympic sports, but
for you, it's not really a surprise that that competitiveness
(10:15):
and that athleticism and moguls got passed down and you
are one of the best because both of your parents
were professional mogul skiers, right, Yeah, So walk me through
what it was like growing up with parents two parents
who were professionals.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Yeah, I mean, I think, I don't know if everyone
grows up, I guess thinking of being becoming a professional
skier or that being like a career option. And so
that was pretty cool for me to you know, that's
what my parents did for a long time, like watching
old videos of them competing or watching my mom compete
(10:52):
in the X Games and ski across as a kid,
like I grew up seeing that as a possibility option
for myself. And yeah, it's just such a cool world
to grow up and to be a part of What was.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
That like to share that sort of moment with your
mom in particular of going from watching her compete at
X Games, like seeing tapes of her competing at X Games,
to then you deciding to take on this same career path.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Yeah, I mean, I think with both my parents, it's
just been really special to share that with them, Like
I always know that they understand what I'm going through.
They understand what it's like to be an athlete, to
be in the positions that I'm in, and kind of
that comp mentality and love for mogul skiing as well,
(11:48):
Like to all be able to share that is really
cool in it. I think it's amazing that they have
that we share that understanding of it.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Was there ever any moment growing up because I know,
you know, I competed athletically growing up in like every
sport under the sun, but softphone in particular, And it's
always interesting to figure out how parents walk that line
of being a coach and also being a parent. How
(12:19):
did that go in your household growing up?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah, I mean both of my parents were just kind
of always a coach in some area there. I mean
obviously growing up in a very small town of under
seven hundred people, Like they were my soccer coaches, and
(12:44):
they when my brother and I wanted to start mogil
skiing and freestyle skiing, like there wasn't a freestyle program
at the mountain, and so they would just kind of
take us to events and teach us how to do
through six sees and ski mogul and so it was
just kind of always something that like that was a
(13:04):
part of our family and something that was so normal
for me for them to coach me. And I think
also them being athletes themselves, did a really great job
of not putting the pressure on me of this is
what you have to do, like you you have to
(13:25):
be a skier, you have to love mogals skiing, Like
they just put my brother and I in every sport.
We tried everything, and we're going to support us in
no matter what we chose to do.
Speaker 1 (13:36):
What was it about moguls that ended up setting that
one apart from everything else you tried?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Yeah, I mean, I I love skiing, like I feel
like there's just such a deep love for being in
the mountains, for being on snow from I mean, my family,
the community, like where I grew up, that was just
so instilled in me. And so it's going to be
something with skiing, something in the mountains. And I tried
(14:06):
alpine skiing, I did Big Mountain, I did skiercross, like
kind of tried all the sports and did them through
about halfway through high school, I guess like junior year
maybe with my last year doing another event. And with
Mogle skiing, what it came down to is it combines
every aspect of skiing into one run. Like it has
(14:28):
the jumping, it has the speed, and has the technical skiing,
and it just packs that into an under thirty second
run and so it just, yeah, had a bit of
everything in it.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
I'm so glad you put it that way, because I
think that's one of the things that like when you
watch moguls, you really do see like the speed of alpine,
you see the excitement of the jump, and like it's
just like when a mogle skier is in rhythm with
the moguls themselves. It is one of the most beautiful
aspects of skiing, because it's just like your knees are
(15:01):
bending in the right, you know, right with the thing,
and da da da da da. What is that feeling like?
Because I'll never feel it, but I want to know,
Like what does that feel like when you're in that
sort of flow state and just in rhythm with the mountain?
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Yeah, I mean that's exactly it, Like it is that
flow state you're like, it's kind of the same as
like just out free skiing, like making some like nice
powder turns of your not thinking about it. It's all
just happening and like it's just working so perfectly, like
you're just in that flow and don't have to think
(15:38):
about it. And like I always say, if you're thinking
about it, then it's probably not going well.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Very valid, very valid if you're not like trusting your
body to do all of the work that you've put in,
all of the time and all of the training to
do something's a little out of rhythm there. Yeah, so
you want the silver and two in Beijing, but I
know it was a really long Like at the beginning
of this we listed all of your accolades and they
are so impressive. They are worthy of being recognized, but
(16:10):
I know that that road was so far from easy,
and it's easy to count the accolades, but they come
with so many lessons, with so many bumps and bruises.
When you put that silver medal around your neck in
twenty twenty two, what was the thing that you were
the most proud of yourself for overcoming to get to
that point where you are an Olympic medalist.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Yeah, I mean man, yeah, After like the twenty eighteen Olympics,
my first Olympics was definitely a very bittersweet experience for me,
and I felt like I had a little something more
in the tank at the end of the day at
(16:53):
those Olympic Games, I feel like I could have put
more out there. I could have, you know, pushed a
litle little more in my runs. And that was a
horrible feeling to leave those games with, to feel like
I didn't put it all out there. And so going
into the twenty twenty two Olympics, that was my goal
(17:19):
once I got there, was every single run, qualification, final,
super finals, every run I was I wanted to be
able to look back after I crossed the finish line
and know that I'd given it everything, because not every
run was guaranteed, you know. In twenty eighteen, I learned
(17:41):
that lesson of I finished seventh, the top six got
to move on and ski for the medals. So that
was heartbreaking to not get that final run to put
it all out there at those games. And I wasn't
going to let myself do that again in twenty twenty two.
I was going to just ski every run for me,
(18:01):
just let the pressure go and just have as much
fun as I can, take every single moment in and
just put it all out there every time. And so
I was really proud of myself to be able to
do exactly that that entire week of skiing, every day
of training, Like every run I skied, I seriously had
(18:23):
so much fun. Yeah, every run, I feel like I
put everything I could out there. I skied as hard
as I could, and I knew like there was nothing
more I could have given, and so I was just
obviously winning an Olympic medal is is the dream. But
(18:44):
even without that, like I knew I did everything I
wanted to those games.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
I think so often as athletes, we tend to be
very results oriented, because that's obviously you're going for a result, right,
Like we all love the game itself, and there's an
element of like, you love skiing, and that's why you
do it, and that's why you do it as a profession.
But I think you know, I was a competitive gymnast
and there's that results oriented feeling of like I'll be
(19:13):
happy if I get this metal or I'll be happy
if I get this result, And it sounds like you
became much more process oriented, of like it doesn't actually
matter how I end up as long as I left
everything out there, and that like is more of a
process oriented mindset than a results oriented mindset, which is
(19:34):
always a really important thing for me personally to be
reminded about. Is like switching, switching my mindset from result
to process. How did you do that? How did you
switch your mindset from twenty eighteen to twenty two to
where you became. It's all about the process. It's all
about just making sure I leave everything out there and
(19:56):
like trust that, you know, let the chips fall where
they may.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
After that, Yeah, I mean it was a constant battle
and constant learning curve of you know, even a week
before the games of our last training camp, that last competition,
maybe two weeks before the Games, like I was not
feeling that way. I was not in a good mental
(20:20):
space at all. I was very low in confidence and
bury down on myself. And I mean talking to a
lot of different friends and mentors and former athletes in
the sport to just yeah, be able to kind of
(20:44):
recognize that it is all about the journey. Like it's
obviously we have those goals of you know, I want
to win, I want to get an Olympic medal, and
that's what that's what drives us, but it truly is
so much about the process. Like looking back on competitions
(21:08):
in my entire career, it's not those moments of like
besides maybe the Olympics of like standing on the podium.
Actually that like is what you truly remember, you know,
it's all those in between, the times with friends and
teammates and all those little moments here and there. And
(21:29):
so that's what that was really about with the Games
for me, was enjoying every single moment of it and
taking all of that in because I think you miss
out a lot if you're just so zoned in on
one single thing and not able to enjoy it along
the way.
Speaker 1 (21:50):
How has that mindset affected the way that you prepare
for this next games, because it sounds like that was
something that had to switch like a week before, and
now it's been settling for three years and you're in
the process of this World Cup qualifying season. You are,
you know, from a results perspective, you are as on
(22:12):
fire as you have ever been. How do you feel
like understanding that mindset has helped you have different results
and have like enjoy sort of the fruits of almost
not worrying about the results.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's been huge for me
this year. Of obviously there's there's always going to be
some like thinking about the result and I'm going out
because I want to win and I know that I
can win, But there's also I think for me, I've
(22:50):
tried to really focus on what I can control and
those those little things of when it comes down to it,
it's a judge sport. I have no control over what
they're going to decide to score my jumps or my
turns or whatever it is, and so I can only
(23:10):
control what I do and trying to focus on my
goals of being I want to hit this jump this way,
or I want to have the fastest time or these
little things in my own skiing in my run. Because
you can win and not be happy with how you skied.
(23:32):
I guess if you're happy with what you did and
your performance and how you skied, then really that's all
that matters, and that's all that you can control. So
trying to focus on that as much as possible.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
And when we talk about the in between moments, I
have been watching this season for you pretty closely, and
yet I'll be honest with you, among all of your victories,
the moment that stands out is the doubt Cowboys cheerleader
moment that the Free Ski Tene decided to embrace earlier
this season. If you have not seen the video, we
(24:08):
will link it. We'll put it in the comments or
in the description on YouTube, and then make sure that
if you're listening to this podcast you come to our
social page, I'll have a link for it there. Walk
me through how this came about, that we were out
here doing a cheerleading routine in what looked like a
decent amount of snowfall, and you guys were having the
(24:28):
time of your lives.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
Yeah, so I guess I don't know exactly. I think
just how it started is one of my teammates, Casey Hogg,
has been watching or as maybe just always watched the
DCC show and was talking about like learning their TikTok dance,
(24:50):
And so we had a week training camp up in
Canada and started to learn it, and then it spurred
into her continuing to choreograph more onto the end of
it and turned into like a two minute performance at
that point, and it was just too good not to share.
(25:11):
And so we had our World Cup at Deer Valley
and it just seemed like under the lights at night,
the perfect like a big crowd, the perfect opportunity, opportunity
to be able to perform it. So we ordered our
pom Poms and got them to play the song for us,
and yeah, put on a performance down at the bottom
(25:32):
of the course.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
What was that like, because like, so there's a different
type of nerves, right, so from like to like performing
something that is not your sport. How did that feel?
What was going on inside your your stomach when when
you were waiting for that music to drop.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Yeah, I was very nervous about it. And it was
like I had so many like friends and family and
like a bunch of people they all have their phones
out videoing, and I mean, I am. I love to dance,
but it's like not my strongest suit. Maybe, Like I
was in dance as a kid, and I was the
(26:11):
kid who was always watching, just like one beat behind
everyone else. So I was definitely very nervous before doing that,
a lot more nervous than I thought it would be.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
But more nervous it was going for the going for
the metal that night or doing the dance.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
Doing the dance, for sure, I was very I was
not nervous at the Olympics, like my final run. It was. Yeah,
I was so much more nervous for this dance.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
And then once you got out there and people start cheering,
you get in the rhythm of it. How much did
that become? Like I can imagine that's one of those
moments when you look back at your career, when you
look back this season, you remember the victories, but my gosh,
where does that memory stack up?
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Oh yeah, I'll never forget that one. Yeah, who knows,
maybe we'll keep working on new dances and this will
become a thing that we started doing. But yeah, it
became a fun, like fun thing for us to do.
We have so much downtime on the road and all
(27:21):
these places to just yeah, add some dancing to our
warm up and yeah, it's super fun.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
It's giving. Like remember the Titans when they walk into
the dancing warm up song. I think this is I
think this could work. I think this could become Ura Mantra.
I think I think let me know how this goes. Yeah, okay,
so you'll have a few more events in this twenty
twenty five qualifying year, World Cup Finals, and then I
(27:51):
believe Championships right a few weeks later, So for you,
what are your biggest goals for the rest of this season,
this qualifying year for the twenty twenty six game.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
Yeah, so right now, I have my sight set on
a couple of globes this season that I am in
the running for. There's the I guess I'm leading right
now both the dual Mogul Globe and then the overall
(28:21):
for Mogal and single globe. So yeah, with one more
with World Cup Finals, hoping to take those and take
the overall leader for the World Cup season, which would
also I think lock in my Olympic qualification spot for
next year, which would be huge. And then yeah, World Championships.
(28:47):
I got two silvers at the last World Championships, so
hoping to bump that up to gold this time.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Awesome. Well, we cannot wait to reach you on in
the remaining part of this season and then hopefully into
twenty twenty six. So yeah, so fun to get to
know you. We have a few more segments. We're gonna
switch gears now into what we call our something to
Sip on segment. It is brought to you by the
sports Bra, which is a women's sports bar in Portland, Oregon,
(29:14):
and so Jalen. The week of your episode, they are
going to be serving a drink called the Jalen and
it is the cocktail or mocktail of your choosing. What
are you sipping on around the world? What is your
go to drink?
Speaker 3 (29:29):
I really have to go with the margarita here, I mean,
why not only my go too?
Speaker 1 (29:34):
So any particular flavors or are we doing with just
like the original classic?
Speaker 3 (29:41):
I would go with a spicy margarita.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Ooh, I love a good spicy marg I love a
good spicy margaret. It's hard to do, but I have
had the sports Bras before very good, so I have
no doubt they will They will do you justice crazy
and now it's time for our Powered Up segment. This
is where we do rapid fire questions and just try
to get to know you a little bit better. So
(30:06):
coffee or tea coffee? Favorite ice cream flavor.
Speaker 3 (30:10):
Tillamook utterly chocolate. But if I have to go like
standard non like brand ice cream flavor, I would go
most tracks.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Shout out to Tillamook, though, because that is I don't know.
Is Wyoming considered the Pacific Northwest? Like do y'all consider
yourself the West? Okay? Because Tillamook is an Oregon brand, right.
I lived in Oregon for a really long time and
I have I was. I love Tillamook everything Tillamook. It
just like good levels up cheese, ice cream. Tillamook, you
(30:43):
do it great. Shout out to tillamok they know what
they're doing. What is your go to meal before or
after competing in Moguls?
Speaker 3 (30:49):
I would say with it my go to meal before
if I we definitely, you know, deal with what we
have on the road. But if I'm choosing before, I
would make a like avocado toast with some cheese and
egg on it.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Girl after my own heart A little regular girl after
my own heart. I love a good avocado toast for breakfast.
Are you a night owl or an early bird?
Speaker 3 (31:17):
Night? How?
Speaker 1 (31:18):
What is your favorite place your sport has taken you.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
My favorite place to sport has taken me would have
to be Japan. I love it.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Oh cool, cool, They have gotten some massive snowfall this year.
Everybody who loves skiing and snowboarding seems like they're going
to Japan.
Speaker 3 (31:37):
Yeah, I would love to go.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
You're like, but I'm trying to qualify for an Olympics.
So next, next record snowfall.
Speaker 3 (31:44):
I'll be out there.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
If you were not a Olympic mogul skier, what sport
would you want to be an Olympian in?
Speaker 3 (31:52):
Let's see, Yeah, another sport i'd want to be an
Olympian in. I think I would go with hockey. I
think it would be really cool to be a part
of a team event, and I think hockey is really cool.
I'm no good, but I think it's a very cool sport.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
It is a very cool sport. I'm with you on that.
That's awesome. What is your dream vacation spot.
Speaker 3 (32:20):
On my dream vacation spot, Oh, I don't know. I'm
really thinking about skiing in Japan now, but also going
surfing somewhere, So.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
I'm okay, So maybe a little trip to Fichi is
on your on your vation. Yeah, oh that's fun. If
you need some surf trip advice, that's that's my thing.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
So you let me know. I'm always looking for surf
trip advice.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
So fine, okay, Well we'll plan a surf trip after
after Milan Courtina next year. That's on our that's on
our radar. What is the wildest mishap? I'm not talking
toious injury. We're trying to keep this light. So what
is the wildest mishap you've ever had in your sport?
Speaker 3 (33:07):
The wildest mishap? I don't.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
I keep it together all the time.
Speaker 3 (33:14):
There's nothing I well, I guess what comes to It's
not like wild. But I forgot my boots at the
hotel one time in China, oh and had to like
I got there in time for skiing, but like in
between qualifications and finals, and it was very stressful because
(33:34):
the bus drivers like were just taking their cigarette breaks
and wouldn't drive me back to the hotel to get
my boots. So I was in full panic. Oh no,
I got them eventually and it was.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Fine, Okay, good geez, that would be very stressful to
compete without, so I'd be like, I need I need these.
I can't just fit into somebody else's okay. And then
the last question is this is the Powerful podcast and
we are so excited to be highlighting powerful women like yourself. So, Jalen,
when I say the word powerful with the H in
the middle, what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (34:09):
I mean, I feel like what jumps out to me
is like, that's how it should be. Like women are
just have so much power and strength and resiliency and
to highlight that and to I guess, be a part
of that, be able to be someone that that kids'
(34:29):
girls can look up to and feel inspired by is
is really amazing. And yeah, it's really it's really cool.
That's awesome.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
I agree with you wholeheartedly. So thank you Jalen for
taking the time, managing the time zones to be on
this podcast. It's been so fun getting to know you,
and I cannot wait to continue to reach you on
here in this qualifying season and then hopefully in Italy
next year. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 3 (34:59):
Yeah, of course, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
All right pap for pod Squad. We will see you
next week. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (35:05):
This is a.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
Reminder to check us out every Tuesday everywhere you get
your podcasts. And if you really enjoy this and don't
want to miss an episode, be sure to hit that
subscribe button,
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