Olympic Gold Medalist & 4 time X Games Gold Medalist...Ask Maddie Bowman anything now!

Other than Skiing and Snowboarding, What are your hobbies?

I really enjoy mountain biking and recently I have been trying to learn how to skateboard if anything I mostly eat it. But I also really enjoy school, playing with my dog, and just being outdoors.

[deleted]

@metasirena My best moment so far... Well the one that comes to mind is just that moment at the Olympics where I heard that a won. It is the most insane feeling and high. You feel happy to win, you feel months of stress being lifted from your shoulders, and you feel sad that you friends didn't land their runs and beat you. So its just a huge rush of emotions all at once that just brings you to tears.

thank you :)

Hi Maddie! So excited I'm catching you live. How do you balance college with being an Olympian?

It isn't easy but I do it because I like to have a little balance in my life. I do have to take the spring semester off and the Olympic Year. Plus it's not easy watching my little brother pass me in school, we are a little competitive.

Freeskiing looks crazy. Are you ever just up in the air and like -- holy I am terrified!!!! Or does it just become second nature?

@katehawks Some days it feels so right and comfortable and others it feels so unnatural. But I believe it's important to scare my self at least once everyday

How's the skate ramp holding up? -some twin or something

Its great! lets just say that one twin was a great engineer and the other a great pipe cutter

Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck?

haha a horse sized duck!

What is the very best cheese?

Brie!!

What was more challenging, Olympics or X Games?

I think it is easier to perform at the X Games because there is a lot less pressure and it is where my sport comes from so it really feels true to who I am. Where as the Olympics is equally a mental games as a physical one. And it is a bigger stage with a little more stress involved.

When looking back at standing on the podium and hearing the anthem played for you, do all of the emotions come back, or have the memories somewhat faded (for lack of a better term) with time?

I think they have faded and formed into more of this dream like memory for me but sometimes when I talk about it I do feel the emotions coming from somewhere inside of me.

How long does it take to build up the "balls" to do even the easiest tricks you do? I've been snowboarding for 20 years, and I still can't even conjure up the nerve to attempt the halfpipe.

I think the key at least for me is to feel comfortable on my skis and then when I have a hint of inspiration to do something, to act right away on it and not over think it!

what are injuries or health issues that pros might have that amateurs likely wouldn't, and what are the most exotic therapies pros use to treat them?

I think we just get a few more knee and shoulder surgeries than the average person. We do have some amazing PTs and the can come up with some crazy methods to use the like cupping or muscle activation through pressure points.

are there any exotic sportswear that pros use to mitigate knee and shoulder damage?

Just compression sleves and such! to be honest I don't even like wearing my knee brace!

The world record for two people leapfrogging each other is 59 in 60 seconds. Could you get close? Who would you partner with or can you think of two others who would have a better chance?

Wow thats impressive. I would pick my brother. And I think that two of the US Gymnasts would probably have a better chance

Whose your friendliest competition?

Brita Sigourney and Annalisa Drew

Thanks Maddie! Who are you looking out for this Olympics? Biggest competition you think?

I think that the women are really progessing fast and just a few to watch would be Brita Sigourney, Kelly Sildaru, and Cassie SHarpe

How did growing up where you did help with your accomplishments? And also did you have any cool neighbors that hung out with your brother or something like that?

Yes growing up in Tahoe helped me become a good skier because the mountains here are very accessible for many people and because Sierra at Tahoe my home mountain was a park and pipe hub within Tahoe. Yes we had many many great neighbors growing up, who we explored with.

who is your role model?

I have a few role models my mother for how strong and smart she is. Beyonce because she is Beyonce. And Sarah Burke for where she got skiing and the skier and kind person she was.

Maddie, can you tell your fans what is was like shooting this? https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ujg0mo14yrmzct/MADDIE_BOWMAN.JPG?dl=0

It was so fun! I'm a huge game of thrones fan so I just tried to channel my inner queen!

What else goes into being an Olympian that we don't realize? I get there is training, workouts, etc. Any fun Team USA get-together?

Ya there is al ot of fun that goes into it! I get the chance to hang with others from Team USA and on the skiing side of things we all ski fun together. Check out the link in the Bio for some ski fun!

Which animal would make the best type of president if the animal kingdom ever rises up and takes over?

Haha hey Tanner ummmmmm a black bear

Favourite Mountains?

My home Mountain Sierra at Tahoe and the french alps, specifically Chamonix

what would you say is your biggest accomplishment?

I think my biggest accomplishment has been my career as a whole. I'm equally as proud of my X games medals as my Olympic Medal. But my favorite Medal was the silver, my first X Games medal.

your favorite event to compete in?

X Games for sure! It is what freeskiing is all about for us! It feels like home!

As an actual athlete, how do you feel about video games being held as an X Games competition, considering the lack of actual athleticism?

I understand that videogames have a lot of following and they work hard but I did not really like when the video games were broadcasted over the skiing and snowboarding events.

Since 2008 The X-Games has had equal pay for women and men competitors. The sport(s) seem to attract a lot more women than other sports that do not have this same pay equality. Do you think there is a correlation?

I for one love the fact that I can turn on a t.v. and watch badass athletes of both genders with my daughter. I think it resonates with her and young girls/women. There is a complete lack of coverage of many other sports.

We were very happy to be treated as equals from the beginning and a lot of that work was done by Sarah Burke. I do think that there should be equal pay from women in business and sports a like. And I think the more we show these women being badasses at what they do the more girls will be inspired to feel that they can go just as far as any other human. So thank you for showing us to your daughter!!

Hey Maddie. I love the diversity in sports now days. I follow skateboarding alot more tho. What is your thoughts on getting more women in to these awesome sports? Is that what you hope to accomplish with this new event your a part of?

Yes! That is what I'm hoping to do! I want girls to see how much fun we are having doing sports and the friendships that come along with it. I believe that good role models are a part of that but also parents, friends, or siblings who encourage girl to do sports!

Thank you for your input. Yes i think parents stem alot of hobbies in children. What annoying is parents associating hobbies based on gender. Its ok to have a daughter who loves to play outside or skateboard.

I couldn't agree more!

When you bit the gold medal, what did it taste like? Like victory?

haha yes and I'm glad I put my mouth on it first especially since how many kids have put their mouths on it since then!

are you planning to grab your skis this season or changing up your run from 2014 at all?

Ya I'm excited to change up my run a bit and believe me there is no one more frustrated with my lack of grabbing than myself so I am trying very hard to do so, so hopefully that is that we will see this season.