Victim vs Victor: Choosing to Win Every Day

In this episode of the Let’s Go Win podcast, I sit down with Athena Brownson — a professional freestyle skier turned realtor, developer, and entrepreneur based in Denver. Athena’s journey is one of grit, reinvention, and the relentless decision to be a victor despite the reality of living with a debilitating chronic illness.

From launching off 100-foot jumps to battling Lyme disease, Athena shares what it means to confront adversity head-on and reinvent yourself when life changes course. She explains how elite skiing prepared her for entrepreneurship, how a devastating diagnosis reshaped her perspective, and the systems she’s built to keep showing up even on her hardest days.

Key takeaways you’ll learn in this episode:

• How elite sport instills discipline, resilience, and goal-setting frameworks that translate to business.
• Why identity shifts are critical when moving from one career path to another.
• The hidden realities of Lyme disease and why early treatment is essential.
• Practical daily systems for staying productive and present despite chronic illness.
• Tools for reframing fear into excitement and using visualization to boost confidence.
• The importance of proximity — surrounding yourself with the right people who lift you up.
• How to delegate, build a trusted team, and keep moving forward when life throws curveballs.

Athena’s story is proof that even in the face of chronic pain, we can choose strength over surrender, action over inaction, and victory over victimhood. Her example is a masterclass in resilience and the power of small daily rituals to create lasting impact.

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