Living in the Moment: The Skill of Perpetual Motion and Grace

An Olympian, a writer, a public speaker — Winter Vinecki has done it all. From a very early age, she has been in constant motion, pushing herself to be the best she can be and pursuing life’s next challenge. In addition to competing all over the world, she somehow manages to find the time to advocate and share her father’s legacy.

Listen to Cheryl as she discusses Winter's perfectly appropriate name for a Winter Olympian, as well as her story and advice on how we can all be more present while practicing grace and composure.

Winter Vinecki is an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success in both sports and philanthropy. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she faced a tragic loss at the age of 9 when her father succumbed to prostate cancer. In response, Winter founded TeamWinter.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for prostate cancer research and awareness. She has raised over $500,000 for this cause.

Winter's athletic journey began at a very young age, with her participating in triathlons from the age of 5. She completed her first Olympic triathlons at the age of 9 and became the Ironkids National Champion for 2010 and 2011. 

In addition to her triathlon achievements, Winter made a mark in the world of skiing. She was invited to an aerial skiing camp by two-time Olympian Emily Cook at the age of 12, and she subsequently moved to Park City, Utah, to train and compete on the Fly Freestyle elite development team. During this time, she set numerous records, including becoming the youngest person to run a marathon on all seven continents and the youngest to run a marathon on Antarctica. She also achieved the distinction of being the first mother/daughter duo to accomplish this feat.

Winter's skiing prowess led to her joining the US Ski Team in 2016, where she has consistently achieved remarkable results. She even won the gold medal at the 2021 Moscow World Cup. Notably, she made history as the first person with the name "Winter" to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Winter Vinecki graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah with a major in Business Administration and a minor in nutrition. She is a seasoned public speaker who shares her inspiring story at conferences, schools, sports teams, corporate events, and more. Winter's dedication to both sports and raising awareness for prostate cancer research makes her an inspirational figure with a remarkable journey to share with the world.