Chloe Kim has by no means been afraid to fall down (she all the time will get again up), nor to ask for meals in the course of a press convention (she’s continuously hungry, she stated…), even much less to carry out unbelievable methods, spins, and flips that she alone masters (on the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, no much less). Not even gravity can pull her again all the way down to earth. However again on the bottom, we’re having connection difficulties. Fortunately, the clean Zoom display is damaged by the sound of her shiny and bubbly voice. Let’s speak with Chloe Kim, the prodigy who reached for the celebrities.
At 4-years-old, her dad put her on a snowboard, at 6, she competed in her first competitors, at 7, she gained the Junior Nationwide Championships. At 15, Kim participated within the Youth Olympic Video games (YOG) in Lillehammer, Norway, successful two gold medals. In Aspen, Colorado, she turned the youngest snowboarder and the youngest half-pipe Olympic snowboard champion on the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018. Right this moment, on the age of twenty-two, she has amassed two Olympic gold medals, two world titles, six gold medals on the X Video games, and two World Cup titles. Oh, and she or he’s a newly-minted ambassador for Breitling’s “All-Star Squad.”
Off the charts by way of coolness, paired with a glowing persona, Kim is enthusiastic, participating, and dedicated to environmental and social causes. Open-minded and comfy between two cultures, Korea and America, the Los Angeles-based champion travels quite a bit. When she was youthful, she lived in Switzerland, the place she additionally mastered French. Together with her blonde locks, the SoCal woman is each bit chatty, (nearly) like some other younger grownup of her age, fueling a love for style, watches, make-up, Ok-Pop, and partying with mates. She binge-watches Netflix. Certainly, she is taking a much-needed and well-deserved season-long break after 15 years of intense world class competitions. As Kim presses pause, she discusses her subsequent problem, psychological well being, and luxurious watches.
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From Korea to america, are you able to share a bit about your background?
My background is in every single place. I used to be born and raised in California. [Ed. note: Kim’s parents emigrated from Korea and met in Switzerland, when they both worked for travel agencies. They ended up in Southern California, where they raised their three daughters.] I really lived in Geneva for a pair years. So I began touring the world at a younger age, having the ability to compete. I by no means thought I might get up to now although, I’m tremendous completely happy about it! I began snowboarding once I was 4. I went with my dad, and simply fell in love with it. I used to be capable of bond with him on the mountains, having the ability to journey collectively [and] make lots of mates and get higher and higher at snowboarding. I can’t imagine I’ve been doing it for therefore lengthy—18 years!
At 17, you turned the youngest half-pipe Olympic snowboard champion on the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. How did you uncover half-pipe?
I really hated half-pipe once I first found it. It was scary, and I used to be not good at it. However it was as a result of Mountain Excessive, the place I began snowboarding, didn’t actually have an enormous 22-foot competitive-style half-pipe. I by no means actually obtained to expertise half-pipe snowboarding till I used to be in Switzerland, really. Then, my first worldwide competitors in a 22-foot half-pipe was in Laax, for the European Open. I gained the Junior Jam, after which I used to be like “Oh, that is enjoyable.” Then I stored going and stored coaching, and now I adore it.
What are your subsequent challenges?
I’m taking this subsequent season off; I obtained again from Beijing this February and I’m pursuing different issues proper now. I’m going to hold up the bib for this season—however I’ll nonetheless be on the mountain snowboarding, driving powder, having a lot enjoyable with mates. I gained’t be competing this subsequent season. I’m excited for this time without work as a result of going to the Olympics is kind of exhausting mentally, and I simply want to provide myself a while earlier than I do it once more.
You could have been collaborating with the BetterUp platform, which focuses on psychological health, particularly “to strengthen your thoughts, the identical method you do your physique.” What prompted that?
What BetterUp is doing is unimaginable. Psychological well being is so essential. I don’t actually assume I gave my psychological well being the required consideration till the final couple of years (TD;LR: she was burnt out earlier than the pandemic). I didn’t notice how many individuals it affected, and I assumed it was simply me. However when Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and all these unimaginable athletes began popping out speaking about their psychological well being, about what their challenges and struggles are, it inspired me to do the identical. It made me really feel like I wasn’t the one one going via this, and that I shouldn’t be ashamed. The minute that occurred, I began prioritizing my psychological well being and I continued to unfold this constructive message. I additionally met with Prince Harry [BetterUp’s Chief Impact Officer), which was really cool.
Who emotionally supports you?
My dad. Even at the Olympics, I got so nervous before, I called my dad immediately, like, “Help!” And he said, “You’ve got this, you’re fine, don’t worry!” He was my coach until I was 13; he taught me everything.
You’re part of a new crew, the Breitling “All-Star Squad.” How did this collaboration come about?
I’ve been working with Breitling for a few years now, and in the beginning, they said that they would love to put me in an “all-star squad” with Erling Haaland, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Trevor Lawrence, and then it finally happened! It’s awesome that we get to collaborate with other athletes and become this super squad.
All men! What do you think about the position of women in sports today?
It’s incredible how far we’ve come as women, and how we are finally getting the recognition that we deserve. There have been so many incredibly powerful female athletes who have driven this progressive movement. So, I am really proud to be a part of this change. A lot of great things are coming out of it.
You share the same environmental and social commitments as Breitling. How is its brand-new Super Chronomat Automatic 38 watch sustainable?
I love that watch so much. I have other models, too. This specific model offers a full supply chain traceability, so you know where the precious materials are coming from: the diamonds are lab-grown and the gold is from a small-scale artisanal mine in Colombia, which meets social and environmental standards. That’s one of my favorite things about Breitling—they are as sustainable and incredible as you could hope.
And what are its other aesthetic advantages?
I’m a girl that likes diamonds! I like shiny things, and I can tell you that these watches are very shiny. I love that a lot of them feel very unisex, like I’ll be wearing a watch and my dad’s like, “I want one of those.” And I’m like, “Oh, well it’s mine, so you can’t have it!” [laughs]. I’ve a collection of Breitling watches, and I like carrying a brand new one each different day and matching it with my outfit. Since working with Breitling, I’ve been hooked on watches—I can’t get sufficient!
Who’re a few of your favourite style designers?
I like style. I grew up in L.A., so I really feel like I used to be all the time surrounded by it. Additionally, touring to Europe a ton, which is style central, I positively obtained lots of inspiration and began to like style an increasing number of. It’s all the time summer time right here in L.A., so it makes it very simple. Ninety-nine % of the time I’m really carrying sweatpants, as a result of [right now] I might fairly keep at house and watch Netflix [laughs]. Ever since I used to be 13, I’ve been such an enormous fan of style. There are such a lot of unimaginable designers, I really simply went to a Baptiste Cavalli dinner final night time, who designed my gown on the Met Gala. So thrilling!
Have you ever experimented with procuring within the metaverse? Do you have already got an avatar?
It’s so cool! I’m working with this firm proper now who make homes for well-known individuals within the metaverse, so I obtained one of their athletes’ villages. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about that, I believe it’ll come out subsequent 12 months. Hopefully my home is sort of a Breitling store the place you should buy all of the watches you need! [Laughs.]
You appeared in Maroon 5 and Cardi B’s “Ladies Like You” music video in 2018, and within the movie Charlie’s Angels in 2019. Is there an opportunity of a profession change on the horizon?
I’m engaged on it. We’ll see what occurs subsequent! Considered one of my sponsors, Roxy, has really allowed me to create my very own signature line, so I’ve been privileged sufficient to design a bit just lately. It comes out this November. It’s been so thrilling. I’ve a tremendous group serving to me doing it, nevertheless it’s lots of onerous work, so I’ve nice respect for designers.
What recommendation would you give to younger individuals who want to comply with your path?
By no means hand over and keep constructive, which is so corny, nevertheless it’s true. That’s the inspiration of why I’m the place I’m at now!
What’s your notion of time?
I’m positively any individual who likes to be on time or early. I’m an overachiever.
CHLOE KIM’S BEAUTY TIPS AND TRICKS
Are you able to share a magnificence secret for beating the chilly?
I would like probably the most hydrating moisturizer you may probably discover. Proper now, I’m really utilizing Tatcha, which has been one among my favourite manufacturers for a very long time. It’s the Dewy Pores and skin Cream. I’m not sponsored by them in any respect, I’m simply being real. That’s my lifesaver on the go; my pores and skin doesn’t dry out.
What’s your go-to technique to thank your physique after coaching?
I am going straight to bodily remedy, as a result of more often than not after coaching there are little accidents that have to be handled instantly. I am going on a bit restoration jog or do a brief exercise after which I head to the spa. My favourite factor is getting a therapeutic massage.
Do you have got a suggestion for coping with stress earlier than an enormous day, just like the Olympics?
It’s actually onerous to loosen up if you’re within the Olympic Village. Everybody’s burdened however making an attempt to get pleasure from it. Think about coaching for 4 years for one factor that’s going to finish in an hour! One of the best ways to loosen up is simply speaking to my household and mates, so I used to be simply on FaceTime to all people. The Olympics is such a cool expertise. It’s wonderful, and you may’t even imagine that you just’re there.
What’s your secret weapon on the slopes?
Music! Once I’m snowboarding, I take heed to rap. If you happen to see me on the mountain and also you attempt to speak to me, I in all probability can’t hear you as a result of that’s how loud my quantity is—it’s simply blasting in my ears.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
Supply: elle