Meet the Stanford genius who modeled for Victoria’s Secret and won Olympic gold (ft. Eileen Gu)

Eileen Goo is 18 years old. She's a

skier. She's a favorite to win several gold medals. She has one parent who was

gold medals. She has one parent who was born in China and she switched sides despite the fact she's American. At

least invite me for a date.

China's princess is the queen of big ass.

Hey, I'm Eileen Goo and welcome to Burnouts. take us back to like when you

Burnouts. take us back to like when you were juggling all of this stuff like you were working out, you also had school, you were modeling. Like how did you balance all of it? Like I need the Een

Goo like time management tricks.

I mean I think that what's a little bit misunderstood about me is that because my three things like the fashion world, skiing, and school, they're like kind of geographically disperate. So, it's not

geographically disperate. So, it's not like I wake up in the morning and like ski for three hours and then go to my like seminar in the afternoon and then go shoot a campaign at night.

Realistically, what I'm really good at is less doing everything at the same time and more pivoting with very low emotional toll. So, you do like periods of

toll. So, you do like periods of hyperfocus on like one specific thing and then switch. Yeah. And it's like when you're doing one thing, it's rest from another thing. So for example, if I'm training or if I'm working out, like

that's a physical toll. But if I'm sitting in a classroom, my body is repairing itself while I'm doing something else. So it's like I have all

something else. So it's like I have all these tasks running in the background.

There's this thing called post-Olympic depression and it's like very common among athletes. Pretty well-known

among athletes. Pretty well-known phenomenon. But the interesting thing is

phenomenon. But the interesting thing is it's not at all correlated to result.

And I think that's what's kind of surprising to people is like you can win the Olympics and still just enter the deepest rut of your life and just really be questioning everything, your purpose, feel so burnt out, but at the same time

just have all this anxiety and pent up energy, not sure where to direct it. Um,

and I was no exception, right? So like

I'm talking to my friends who had this huge disappointment at the Olympics and in a way they're like, you know, I think talking to you is kind of making me feel better because you literally had the, you know, quote unquote perfect

Olympics. you broke all these records

Olympics. you broke all these records and you're still feeling this way.

You're feeling the same way. And so it's almost makes them feel better in a way. And so

so going through that I think was probably the the biggest burnout thing.

Like six months after the Olympics, it was just I mean think about it, right?

You're working your entire life towards this one massive goal. And so then you're 18, you feel like you're on top of the world and then you hit this whole and then what? You know, the whole world

opens up ahead of you and you're questioning what next. I would say that that was that was a burnout period for me. We call like when we go to and it's

me. We call like when we go to and it's it's quite cheesy but like our friends, my mom who I text like I have like my executive counsel or by board of people that I go to and it can be a dumb decision of what I'm doing. So healthy.

Who is that for you? Like is your mom that person? I know you're super close

that person? I know you're super close with your grandma. What are like those different support systems that you have?

My mom is huge. Um and and she travels with me, right? So like seeking mentorship in a holistic sense is sometimes challenging because a lot of the things I do kind of are the first

time someone's doing it in the way that I'm doing it. But there are people who've gone through really incredible experiences and everyone's unique and so being able to draw from just that like wealth of of knowledge. So my mom for

sure and then honestly like friends who I really respect. I think I have a great support system of friends and the cool thing is when you're little like one to two years feels like a lot but then you

get older and like you can have friends who are like 35. And when was that threshold for you where you were like oh my god like this thing that I love doing like either fashion or skiing like actually turned into oh my god like I'm

running my own business. Well it's kind of funny because the skiing thing happened by accident. Like I always loved skiing growing up. I grew up in San Francisco and so I did the weekend warrior thing like the four hour drive

to Tahoe and what that meant that I actually was skiing two days a week. I

probably had like 45 50 days on the mountain which is just like by no means was I like a professional skier or training. Um and so I was 16. I was

training. Um and so I was 16. I was

running cross country and track in high school and that was like my big thing. I

thought I was going to get recruited. I

got invited to my first free ski world cup when I was 16 and it was like the alternate of the alternate because like someone had gotten hurt and then that person couldn't make it on a visa issue and so it was this one-time opportunity

for me to go to a World Cup and it was the same week as my state championships and I actually picked running cuz I was like no way. Oh my god. cuz I was like, I'm going to be a runner. Like, this is

my thing. And then at the last minute,

my thing. And then at the last minute, it was actually my teammates's parents who like came to me and my mom and said, we really appreciate what you're doing for our girls. Like, it's a team sport, right? You score together. And so, we

right? You score together. And so, we understand that, you know, our team's going to do a lot better with you there as opposed to not, but if it was our daughter, we would we would have them go to the World Cup. Um, and so I did and and I actually did quite well there. And

then I got enough points through that to get invited back with my own spot the next time. And so then my second World

next time. And so then my second World Cup I got second place and my third one I actually won. And so then that's kind of when I was like, "Oh wow, I'm actually relevant here." When did you first start reading like your first

contracts? Like what did that look like

contracts? Like what did that look like for you? I've always made a point of

for you? I've always made a point of reading my own contracts. I think that's super important to anybody out there, like young people. Seriously, read your own contracts. Do not trust anyone with

own contracts. Do not trust anyone with the final read. I don't care who they are. Read the final cut. Um really,

are. Read the final cut. Um really,

really important. But I I go through like red lining even still. So like I really am involved from the start to the finish. When did I start? Probably like

finish. When did I start? Probably like

since the beginning. Since my first deal when I was like 13, 14. Walk me through like what's your negotiation process particularly for like young women who are just starting their careers. Like a

tough thing is your salary negotiation.

How would you think about that even outside of brand deals? Like oh this is a skill I've really taken that works for me in different negotiations. So don't

be afraid to ask I would say is like number one. Go and like do do the work

number one. Go and like do do the work beforehand. So like have a sense of your

beforehand. So like have a sense of your value. I would say that's super

value. I would say that's super important. What differentiates you? Why

important. What differentiates you? Why

do you deserve what you think you deserve? And then how to ask. So those

deserve? And then how to ask. So those

are I think the two the two steps. But

the biggest thing is honestly don't be afraid to try because the worst someone can say is no. And then you can settle for something in between. What's it like working with your mom? Is there how do you guys deal with like conflict when you guys are in your work relationship

and how do you maintain like also your personal relationship? This is something

personal relationship? This is something me and Sophia have transparently struggled with. We were roommates for

struggled with. We were roommates for years and then we recently decided like we probably shouldn't live together because we're spending so much time together at the office and we've really had to frankly learn a way to argue with each other that is productive because

she drives me [ __ ] insane. I know I drive her insane. We disagree on stuff all the time and we have to figure out like okay how do we separate personal there's nobody on earth who has my best

interests at heart like my mom does.

Sometimes I just take it step back and be like without her without that level of trust like it's irreplaceable. And so

even when we're fighting, it's like how can we create a resolution, work together to resolve this problem, even if the problem is with each other. If I

have her guidance, yeah, I'm almost guaranteed to do better. And so when do I take that time to go and do my self exploration and like what is low risk enough for me to do that? Because if

everything I'm dealing with is so high level or like high stress and high pressure, then it it sometimes feels like I don't have the freedom to do that. So recently, um, with the injury

that. So recently, um, with the injury thing, I actually think that that's given me a lot of space and clarity on that. I feel like it's so valuable to

that. I feel like it's so valuable to take time and just be alone. And you

don't even have to be doing anything.

You don't need to have a crazy itinerary. It's just the sense of being

itinerary. It's just the sense of being alone in the world and building up that self-confidence of, hey, I am a capable person. I have good critical thinking

person. I have good critical thinking skills. I can take care of myself. If

skills. I can take care of myself. If

everything blows up tomorrow, I can survive. And I think being in a city,

survive. And I think being in a city, being alone can do that for you. I don't

know what your experience has been like in New York. I feel like there's no other no better place to do it. So, I'm

just curious, like, do you feel that way? 100%. I mean, we're so young, like

way? 100%. I mean, we're so young, like all of us. I mean, it's so funny. You're

like, "Oh, I'm 21. I'm grown." I mean, like, I'm 23 and I still feel like I I just like graduated high school and I'm still beginning everything. And I think part of that is like the only way to really get to know yourself is by being

alone. Otherwise, you just become a

alone. Otherwise, you just become a combination of everyone around you.

Yeah. And then you don't learn to think about like what do I actually care about like what do I want to see? I need to be alone and I need to think about like what do I think is the right decision or like what do I want and then to have

other people think about it and then you come together and you both have like a chance to share your perspective and I think even like you know one thing that you've talked a lot about is like solo travel when you went to India by yourself I think that was when you had

some of the best self-reflection in your life 100%. when she came back, she was a

life 100%. when she came back, she was a way better roommate, cleaner, kinder, tighter. It was just so like and

kinder, tighter. It was just so like and I like definitely want to know how this has felt for you like traveling alone.

But it's just such a transformative experience cuz I think that's like the moment when I realized I'm not a kid anymore. Like I'm fully in charge of

anymore. Like I'm fully in charge of myself. Like I need to take self-

myself. Like I need to take self- responsibility if I miss a flight. Like

if something goes wrong, like that was totally on me. And I think it forces you to develop a lot of like personal critical skills. And so yeah, like how

critical skills. And so yeah, like how has that been for you? Like now that you're traveling the world alone, like what has that taught you? It's really

important for you to feel that safety net drop out from under you. Like do you know what I mean? At at Stanford, it's this little bubble like you have the dining halls, you have the sense of structure. Worst case scenario, like you

structure. Worst case scenario, like you have the schedule set out for you, it's not that hard to make friends because you're just surrounded by people in your age group. But when you're totally by

age group. But when you're totally by yourself, it feels like the world is just opening out in front of you. And

that sense of like the yawning abyss of the world is this kind of really exciting thing on one hand, but also kind of scary and nerve-wracking. And

it's so important that everybody goes through it. It's so important. I'm super

through it. It's so important. I'm super

curious to ask you because like you have like a brand, your own personal brand.

You're also your body is part of your career both through modeling and being an athlete. It's a huge asset that you

an athlete. It's a huge asset that you have. What do you feel like? Do you ever

have. What do you feel like? Do you ever feel like you're building a brand or where does like kind of the divide come between like where you feel like hey I'm I'm a person and then I'm also building this image on top of it. Does it feel like there's a divide there for you or

do you feel like it's natural? I'm

really lucky in a lot of ways because I don't have a traditional career path and I'll be the first one to admit that.

Right. I literally got to pick three things that interested me. school

fashion and skiing and fashion it together in this like cool, unique, interesting way, but it actually is just me. Like, I actually just like these

me. Like, I actually just like these things. And if nobody knew who I was, if

things. And if nobody knew who I was, if I didn't get paid to do any of it, these would be the things that I would want to be doing. As far as the building a brand

be doing. As far as the building a brand thing, I think the biggest thing is knowing myself and knowing what I stand for. I say no all the time, but more

for. I say no all the time, but more importantly, I find ways to say yes. And

what I mean by that is for example when I turned 18 I was asked to walk Victoria's Secret and that was a really really exciting thing for me the cultural impact of that show is there's

no way to overstate and also just the fashion brain that one third of my brain that I have is just like go you know exploding with excitement but on the other hand I'm thinking to myself okay

if I want to start a company for example is this still a founder that someone could respect if they if I wanted to approach them, is there any door that is

going to close because of this? And

that's a really unfortunate thing to have to ask because honestly, like being able to model or do swim or lingerie or any of that can be such a deeply

empowering thing and it is a celebration of femininity and womanhood, but on the other hand, I mean, we can't ignore the social implications that it has. That's

just the world we live in and it's really unfortunate. And so, I found a

really unfortunate. And so, I found a way to say yes. And what that meant was I actually so I wore this custom, you know, bodysuit situation. It was like leggings, like long pants, but it was

like a cat suit. It was still I felt really confident. I felt really

really confident. I felt really feminine. Um, I felt like I was really

feminine. Um, I felt like I was really embodying still the Victoria's Secret energy. It was sexy but athletic.

energy. It was sexy but athletic.

Exactly. And I was able to have this brand still and be really true to myself. And in no world am I thinking

myself. And in no world am I thinking like this is my brand. It's more just like are these values aligning with mine? Yes or no? And if they're not,

mine? Yes or no? And if they're not, find a way instead of just being like no, this is not happening. And so I ended up doing it and I was so happy and I think that that was definitely the right call and it just taught me to find

a way to say yes. Most recently this week, Sports Illustrated Swim came out yesterday.

Congrats. Appreciate it. Um, but that was another dilemma for me, right? I got

the offer and they were like, "Hey, do you want to shoot Sports Illustrated Swim?" And I ended up doing it again

Swim?" And I ended up doing it again because I think that I believed in the team. It's actually an all women led

team. It's actually an all women led team. That's really interesting. Um, and

team. That's really interesting. Um, and

they're so empowering, so inspiring. The

energy on set is amazing. At no point did I feel pressured to do anything that I didn't want to do. But the fact was I did my homework beforehand. I went in knowing what I was okay with and what I

wasn't. Um, and I knew exactly the

wasn't. Um, and I knew exactly the values that I wanted to embody. And it's

easy to know that because I knew myself.

So I went in, I wanted to embody strength. I wanted to em embody

strength. I wanted to em embody femininity and the intersection of beauty and power. I actually wrote my college essay on that. I love this. Um,

but you can use these platforms in the right way and and be on them and represent things that you feel you're proud of, that you want your kids to be proud of, that you think are influencing the next generation, leaving a positive

legacy. realizing that sometimes the two

legacy. realizing that sometimes the two options you're given are not actually two and that you are able to kind of find a third option that works out better not only for you but also for the

other side and for you like how did you fall into fashion like obviously you're beautiful you're brilliant like how did you decide I want to also start modeling this was a super interesting time in my

life I was 14 and I got invited to my first fashion week in Paris and at the time I mean skiing freeking is a very male-dominated I was the only girl on my ski team

forever until I was 15 and joined the US team. So when I was 14, I had no real

team. So when I was 14, I had no real sense of what the intersection of like femininity and sport could look like

because I so badly wanted to be a boy.

And it wasn't even in the like I'm not like other girls. I actually just wanted to be a little boy. Like I would wear the same clothes. I would speak the same way. I would try to, you know, emulate

way. I would try to, you know, emulate everything that I saw my teammates doing because I just wanted to be friends with them. Pivoting from that all of a sudden

them. Pivoting from that all of a sudden to fashion week, right? So different.

And I think it totally opened my eyes to what what could be possible. like I

don't actually feel I have to sacrifice the athletic part of myself in order to also appreciate the incredible complexity and expressionism and

creativity that you can see in the fashion industry. And I don't think that

fashion industry. And I don't think that you have to make a compromise there. I'm

never going to be a better boy. Yeah.

Than the boy who's sitting next to me on the chairlift. You know what I mean? I'm

the chairlift. You know what I mean? I'm

never going to beat him at that game. Do

you ever get insecure? I get insecure. I

think everyone gets insecure, right? I

mean, no, I would no one would be able Okay, good. I'm glad we're on the same

Okay, good. I'm glad we're on the same page there. I wanted to check I wanted

page there. I wanted to check I wanted to check in there. Okay, good. Well, I

think it's like we're all perfectionists, and I think that's the thing that people struggle to realize.

Like I think that was something that really stuck with me when I had like my first conversation with you at Koopa where you were talking about like struggling with things or like self-image or anything like that. And I

think it's like the problem with perfectionism is like enough is never enough. Like there is no ceiling. Like

enough. Like there is no ceiling. Like

you can always do more. Like has there been times for you where you're like what's my next move? Like what's my next step? Especially now that like you have

step? Especially now that like you have your injury like how do you look at what you want to continue to achieve? I talk

about this actually a lot with my mom because I think that she really sees this part of me very clearly. Um I was always the small fish in the big pond which is an incredible place to be as a young person because you're a sponge,

right? Your neuroplasticity is off the

right? Your neuroplasticity is off the charts. You're learning from just

charts. You're learning from just existing and you're so perceptive.

You're picking up all these subconscious cues. And so when you are around people

cues. And so when you are around people who know more than you, are more successful than you, are better at skiing than you, I was always the young one, the little one, maybe the only girl, like for some reason I felt like I

was the small fish. And so having that mentality allowed me to grow super fast.

And it also allowed me to have a degree of humility when it came to learning.

Like it's impossible to hurt my feelings with criticism. Like I think that's a

with criticism. Like I think that's a really great skill that I've learned is that may like it's not everyone's job to be able to present something nicely to you. So to be able to be given

you. So to be able to be given constructive criticism I think is the biggest blessing. But it also it's a

biggest blessing. But it also it's a two-way street. You have to be able to

two-way street. You have to be able to receive it. If every time I got

receive it. If every time I got constructive criticism I was offended I would never grow. This is kind of ridiculous. I'll sit my friends down um

ridiculous. I'll sit my friends down um maybe like once a quarter be like okay it's it's rose bud thorn time. And

they're like what? I'm like, "Yeah, you heard me. Give me the thorn." Like,

heard me. Give me the thorn." Like,

"Thorn me. I want to know. I want to know. I think that's the most valuable

know. I think that's the most valuable thing that I could possibly be given." I

think that being a small fish in a big pond has made me kind of very open to this criticism and and judgment from others and allowed me to to grow because

of it, be very resilient. But on the other hand, it's kind of undermined my own judgment.

I think now I'm work one thing I'm working on is trusting my own judgment more. And how do you deal with that?

more. And how do you deal with that?

Like I know like you keep getting caught up in the media between like the China US stuff. Like how do you deal with that

US stuff. Like how do you deal with that and like having your own identity within that and like your own opinions girl having

18 years old I randomly like flip on the TV. Why is Tucker Carlson on like a 30

TV. Why is Tucker Carlson on like a 30 minute? I I just think it's kind of

minute? I I just think it's kind of crazy that like that's what you're depending on for a platform and I don't want to make the excuse of like, oh,

like I'm a young girl. Like I am, but also why is that going to be your platform? Like you think that's going to

platform? Like you think that's going to make your popularity go up? Like you

think like bullying 18-year-olds on your show is like a good look for you cuz your business like has to be multicultural. Like you have to you have

multicultural. Like you have to you have a business arm in China. You have a business arm in the US. That's core to the entire fashion industry. That's how

international commerce also works. Like

so I imagine you have to also I'm just curious on like the cultural end. Do you

ever feel like you get pressure from American brands to do certain things and then you get pressure from other brands in China to do certain things? Like how

do you kind of walk that line as well?

That's a super interesting question. So

I am biracial. So I feel like I really grew up with both like in the most authentic form possible. So, I was on my way to school in the summer and I would call the the taxi cabin. I'd be like,

"I'm on this corner of this street." And

he would every time every morning the the car would just drive past me. I'd be

like, "What? I just called you." Like, I said, "I'm right here." And then I figured out it's because they would look at me and be like, "Oh, that's not the person whose voice we heard." Like, we heard someone. And again, you have to

heard someone. And again, you have to think like China's a very homogeneous society just racially. And so, I really stand out there. Like, really stand out.

And I joke that I was always a celebrity growing up cuz I would be like four in the elevator and somebody be like, "Look at her face. Look at her nose. Look,

look, look at her. Look, look at the little girl. Like look at the little

little girl. Like look at the little European girl." And I think that's kind

European girl." And I think that's kind of a thing in the US where it's like if you're, you know, the odd one out, you think of it as a bad thing. And so I had that mentality for a few years. But then

what I realized is people were actually like kind of complimenting me cuz you're gorgeous.

Well, thank you. But I mean, I was five.

I was just like, what am I what am I doing? Like, why can I not be like other

doing? Like, why can I not be like other people? I'm trying to prove to you that

people? I'm trying to prove to you that I speak Chinese. I like my mom is Chinese. I spend so much time here. I

Chinese. I spend so much time here. I

feel so culturally fluent. Like, what

else do you want from me? How else can I prove to you that I fit in? Um, and then I stopped trying to prove it because I was like, "This is really interesting. I

actually can be a cultural bridge.

You're right. I'm not fully one. I'm

actually both." And there's no shame in that. Like, I'm fully both. And that's

that. Like, I'm fully both. And that's

even better. My world is even bigger.

I've expanded my worldview and I get to play this unique role as a bridge and bring all this joy that I get to experience from both of these places to one another. And that's the most

one another. And that's the most powerful and awesome and exciting thing that I could possibly think of. I mean,

I remember I was four in kindergarten in the US and kids would be bringing in like raisins or whatever snack for for snack time and for recess and I would bring in it's called mumi. It's like

this lotus leaf wrapped sticky rice with sausage in the middle. Like very Asian sort of thing. And so it was like definitely sticking out in in the lunch boxes. And so I didn't even have a lunch

boxes. And so I didn't even have a lunch box. I have like a plastic bag. Of

box. I have like a plastic bag. Of

course. Of course. But I think there's always that story of like the kid or like the biracial kid growing up.

They're like, "Oh, I felt so left out.

Like the other kids were eating this and I was eating this and I was made fun of because it smelled weird or people were making fun of me." I actually had the opposite experience. I brought it in and

opposite experience. I brought it in and I was like, I would pull up with like a full yam and kids would be like I mean you're five you have no sense of like race or judgment or eth you just want to fit in you just want to and so whoever

actually is more confident in that period of time gets to be the trends setter and so I got to be this cultural ambassador like my whole grade grew up loving Chinese food. I mean in talking to you it's so clear like you do feel so much pride like you do feel so much

resonance with both parts of your identity. I mean what was it like for

identity. I mean what was it like for you when like Tucker Carlson like these crazy people started coming at you? Like

how did you feel? I mean, I was sad. I

was sad. I was I just felt so misunderstood. And I first I think it

misunderstood. And I first I think it was sadness. It was disappointment. Um

was sadness. It was disappointment. Um

and then it was anger. I felt really angry. I was like, who are you to get to

angry. I was like, who are you to get to go online with this big platform and you don't even get I mean at least invite me for a debate. Yep. Like let me come defend myself. Like why don't we just

defend myself. Like why don't we just sit down and talk? You want to have all this free speech yourself? Great. Like

you want to go up and like yap to your community? Great. Did they ask let me

community? Great. Did they ask let me come? No. I was like, I will come after

come? No. I was like, I will come after this. They better [ __ ] ask. I was

this. They better [ __ ] ask. I was

like, at least let me tell my story. I

think it's unfair that you get to bully me one-sided. I just I'm not a fan of

me one-sided. I just I'm not a fan of that. And so, there was actually a press

that. And so, there was actually a press conference right after the Olympics, like literally right after I won the Olympics. I was taken into this press

Olympics. I was taken into this press room by myself. No agent, no mom, no family, nothing, totally vulnerable, just me. And in front of me, it's like a

just me. And in front of me, it's like a room of reporters. And they're like, "So, what do you think about US China geopolitics?" And I'm like, "I just won

geopolitics?" And I'm like, "I just won the Olympics. Like, you were asking me

the Olympics. Like, you were asking me to solve problems. I'm just trying to focus on what is relevant to me, what I actually can have impact on, and also

what I'm passionate about. And honestly,

I'm telling the truth. This is my experience. If you don't think I'm right

experience. If you don't think I'm right or if you don't believe me, if I'm telling the truth, and you just don't believe me, there's nothing I can do.

There's literally nothing I can do." In

Chinese, there's a proverb that says, "You can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep." And I think that really rings true here. If you've told your story, if you've been if I think that my

logic is very strong. I think that I've explained everything from a logical, from an emotional, from a personal standpoint. I've literally covered

standpoint. I've literally covered everything that I possibly can into every decision that has been publicly scrutinized that I've made. I have no regrets about them. I think I'm doing the right thing. I think I'm making the

world a better place. I mean, post Olympics, 350 million people started snow sports. That's incredible. I didn't

snow sports. That's incredible. I didn't

know that. That's so cool. 350 million.

Can you believe? I mean, going from And I think I hold such this holds such a special place in my heart because the scale of that is just unbelievable. And

skiing especially was kind of a small sport to begin with. Free skiing was.

and to be able to have it recognized at such large scale to have girls on the slopes never questioning that this sport doesn't belong to them. You know, they never felt like it was an all boys thing. They never felt like they had to

thing. They never felt like they had to fit into the boys club because the first time they heard about it was from someone who's a young woman, a young Asian woman, and they're like, "Oh my gosh, you know, this sport is for me, too." And they just that thought never

too." And they just that thought never has to cross their mind. Yeah. And I

think the reality is like we've seen this this trope so many times again, you know, with with athletes who are caught between two countries that are massive superpowers. your as constantly to

superpowers. your as constantly to comment on geopolitical stuff and it's like no your mission is getting more girls out there getting more girls to feel confident is my understanding and getting more girls on the [ __ ] slopes which you've done and you've

accomplished so you don't need to be the ambassador criticizing all the human rights violations of both countries and doing all of that and I think that's kind of an undue burden that we put on athletes but I want to back up you know now obviously you're one of the most

highest paid athletes ever but I want to back up to like you're 13 you get your first paycheck and I'm thinking about like the girls who are listening What do you do with that first paycheck, that first deal you get? Like, do you stash

it away or reinvesting it? What do you think about there? And what kind of advice would you have? I contributed

towards tuition. Um, and so that was my big thing. And so I was able to pay for

big thing. And so I was able to pay for my own tuition from my freshman year of college, high school onwards. So that

was a point of pride for me. I was just honestly really happy. And being able to do that even now for college, like, oh my gosh, Stanford is so expensive. So

expensive. But like being able to click that pay button, it makes me feel proud.

It's like something that I'm I'm really proud of and I I feel it's contributing to who I want to be, the person that I've always wanted to become. If me at age 10, 12, 11, like 13 could could come

see me now, I think she would be so proud of me and and that's what matters to me. What would be like something that

to me. What would be like something that you wished like four years ago someone had told you? We glorify sacrifice too much as a culture and that's kind of my hot take for the day. Um, I think that

sometimes people think, you know, I've suffered. I woke up at 4 in the morning

suffered. I woke up at 4 in the morning to do this thing. Okay, how productive were you from 4:00 to 7? Like, how did that lack of sleep affect you? And so,

no one gets a prize for suffering. If

you want to talk about productivity and you want to talk about optimization, talk about that, but don't talk about the suffering that you went through. If

you can do something easier, do it easier. You don't need to take the hard

easier. You don't need to take the hard way. You don't need to follow. And this

way. You don't need to follow. And this

also goes into like following the the beaten path. You don't need to follow

beaten path. You don't need to follow the beaten path. Sometimes the easier way is like you don't need to walk around the thing. Just like swim through the lake, you know, figure it out. Build

a boat. Like I mean, you guys know me. I

have a vibrant social life at Stanford.

Go out. Like I have tons of friends. I

have friends in different grades. I

mean, you guys are in a different grade than me. Like I I don't feel like I'm

than me. Like I I don't feel like I'm sacrificing on that. But also, I'm taking every class that interests me.

I've done the physics class. I took

aereroastro. I'm taking philosophy. I've

done the IR classes. like I literally am doing everything and I don't feel like I'm sacrificing on that. And I think that's how you live the most full life.

And so that's why I guess I've built this brand. I'm like really shy away

this brand. I'm like really shy away from all these buzzwords. Um because

it's really just me. They're all the things that I love to do and I've found a way to make it relevant to the world.

Do you think you would have done like academia or something? I mean when you were like I'm so excited about school. I

want to take astrophysics and all this stuff. I was like damn I'm so impressed

stuff. I was like damn I'm so impressed by her. I think that being an academic

by her. I think that being an academic is holds a really central role in my identity, like way more so than people anticipate. Um, I think also part of

anticipate. Um, I think also part of that is what makes me a good skier. When

I was a freshman in high school, there were guys on my team who were doing online high school, but I was 14. I was

the youngest on this team. I was so scared of everyone cuz they're all like older, cool, they're all boys. And so in order to make friends, I would do their homework. Shut up,

Styling. You're So did she though. So

did she though. You're not in You're not in bad company though cuz she did too.

And so I was like a freshman in high school like doing these like older guys high school senior like homework. And

when I tell you that was the best SAT prep I ever did. And you'll never catch me like in an SAT prep class. Like never

had to do any of that because I was so ready. Are you kidding me? Like I I had

ready. Are you kidding me? Like I I had it all down and like that was just who I was and I like never shied away from it.

And that was just where I felt like I got my strength and my my sense of identity from. And then I realized that

identity from. And then I realized that it actually translates so directly to skiing because skiing if you are able to visualize that puts you at a major advantage. And if you're able to

advantage. And if you're able to visualize in multiple dimensions and when I say dimensions I mean spatial audiovisisual. Um, if you're able to

audiovisisual. Um, if you're able to have a good sense of the physics of a trick, if you can watch a trick backwards and forwards, if you know where kind of these forces kick in and

what it feels like, that puts you at an advantage. And so, if I've taken a

advantage. And so, if I've taken a physics class and if I know how the trick feels in the air and I put those two things together, I feel like that gives me a unique edge. Also, when it

comes to competition mentality, if I've taken a psychology class, if I learn about fear, if I know how to learn and if I know how to learn a trick and know

when to practice almost like studying, that gives me an edge. And if I know myself, if I know how I learn, when I learn best, how I can review things, that gives me an advantage. So, as far

as being in school and also skiing goes, I think that it's helped me so much. And

the older I get, the more grateful I am that I stuck with that and never felt embarrassed by the nerd allegations. If

anything, I think I'm so proud of it and I'm so happy. Let's be honest. Yeah. I

mean, the older you get, the cooler it is. And then everyone wishes they were a

is. And then everyone wishes they were a nerd when they were younger. But I think that's also so interesting cuz I mean, I don't know if you struggle with this at all or like how this was for you, but I think for guys especially that that is

really intimidating. Like, oh, this girl

really intimidating. Like, oh, this girl is so smart. Like, she can do my homework. Like I think it's just really

homework. Like I think it's just really interesting how that's such a positive trait for men, but then it's like the moment that it's a woman, it kind of is like, oh, like she thinks she's this [ __ ] or something like that. That's how

you can tell a high quality man from a low quality man. That's 100%. I actually

like I used to be like, oh, like why are men so like why are men so intimidated by me? Why do men get like emasculated

by me? Why do men get like emasculated and then start treating me poorly?

That's another interesting thing is that like when you that sense of insecurity Sorry what?

But it's like that's what emasculation does. And the male ego is such an

does. And the male ego is such an interesting thing and but it's a very fragile one. And it's the danger around

fragile one. And it's the danger around the male ego is that it's there people don't study it. People aren't aware of it. And so you can't even point to it

it. And so you can't even point to it and be like, "Oh, that's XYZ." It's just this like inherent thing that if a guy is insecure, if he hasn't done the

selfwork, it shows. And it is like a red flag sirens on the street like fire in the building. Get out, get out. And I

the building. Get out, get out. And I

think that as intelligent women, that's like number one trap that people fall into cuz we have this like go-getter attitude. And so sometimes it's like,

attitude. And so sometimes it's like, oh, there's a challenge. Let me fix it.

Let me fix it. Like I can change this. I

can fix it. Like let me teach him. Let

me, you know, but the more you try to do that, the worse it gets because the problem is was never you. The problem

was never you. It was an insecure guy who doesn't know how to deal with competence. And in order to feel like

competence. And in order to feel like he's superior, he has to push you down and make you inferior to keep this like gap that he thinks should exist.

But this guys, this is not all men. No,

not it's definitely not all men. But I

think it's so important for young, ambitious women to avoid falling into that trap of like that male validation is not worth it cuz it's fake. like he's

just trying to make you feel small so that he feels bigger than you and like you shouldn't feel small. I don't know.

I feel like there's two kind of like approaches to this where it's like okay there's the kind of relationship where it's like truly a partnership where it's like you and whoever you're with whether you're with a lady or a dude. It's like

you're sitting down every two months like okay like where are you struggling?

Where am I struggling? What are our goals for the next couple months? Let's

like be let's be a team here. Like how

are you going to succeed this year in your job? How am I going to succeed in

your job? How am I going to succeed in this? Okay, do I have a personal goal to

this? Okay, do I have a personal goal to maybe eat better? you going to hold me accountable even if that's hard? And

then there's another trope which is like, you know, kind of the person wants to shine and then you're like the backlit person. And so I think like the

backlit person. And so I think like the male validation can be great but only if they're actually seeking that kind of partnership. And I think the issues

partnership. And I think the issues we've fallen into as a society that that's not often what you see. Like you

don't see marriages where people are sitting down and doing like you know an executive sync where they're planning for the next quarter together. Like and

that's like me personally that's what I want. Like when I'm getting married,

want. Like when I'm getting married, that's what we're having. I can totally see you with that. I can deserve that.

No runs for me. No runs for me. Me and

my husband are doing an exact sync today and we have a lot to review from this last quarter. Last quarter you took off.

last quarter. Last quarter you took off.

What was that like? Because your entire brand is like doing everything, winning gold medals, being an ASR student, being a supermodel. Like what did that look

a supermodel. Like what did that look like for you? And did you get any rest last quarter or what were you up to? So

honestly, the entire taking time off thing was kind of an identity crisis to begin with because Olympics work on four-year cycles and as do high school and college. So actually in high school,

and college. So actually in high school, instead of doing the whole four years, I actually graduated a year early. And so

I was the first person in our high school's history to graduate a year early so that I could do the Olympics in fourth year. And so in my head, I was

fourth year. And so in my head, I was like, "Oh, I'm just going to do the same thing at Stanford." So, I actually like got ahead like did a bunch of summer classes and had this full intent to graduate a year early so that I could do

the same four-year cycle.

And my mom, I think people think that she's like crazy tiger mom, but she's actually the opposite. And so, she's like reverse tiger moming me and being like, "When are you going to drop out?

When are you going to take time off?"

And so, I think eventually like my mom, mentors, people I really respected were coming to me and being like, "Look, Eileen, the best time of our life was really in college. Like we had so much fun. We didn't have these crazy

fun. We didn't have these crazy responsibilities that we have now. Like

the real world hasn't really hit yet, but we get to go around and learn for fun, be around like-minded people, be in this beautiful place. Like why are you rushing to get out? That's kind of where I was at. And I finally came to terms

with that. So like I took one quarter

with that. So like I took one quarter off, a whole 10 weeks, girl. Woo. It's a

slippery slope. And then I took another one off.

But yeah, so now I'm in my second quarter off. Um actually had some

quarter off. Um actually had some injuries. So, I had a pretty bad

injuries. So, I had a pretty bad concussion at X Games in January. Um,

and then came back to snow and then broke my collar bone. I'm so sorry.

You're super brutal. I know you're a super like regimented person since I've known you. You're running like literally

known you. You're running like literally so many miles per day. You're working

out. You're studying and you're managing an entire brand, business, and career on top of this with your own personal brand. What is it like like the

brand. What is it like like the mentality of getting injured because you're such like a regimented person? Oh

my gosh, that is such a good question.

And like actually yes 100%. I think for me I never really learned the like traditional rest strategies and so for me like running has been this huge just

outlet for me since forever. And so not being able to run and then compounded with just the emotional and physical just anxiety with the injury itself was

just like debilitating honestly. And

like people don't understand the emotional and physical toll that injury takes on athletes and it's just like absolutely debilitating on all levels.

Like so brutal. I'm curious like how it has been like for you on Stamford. Like

do people have preconceived notions of you? Like what has it been like trying

you? Like what has it been like trying to make friends when people might have already seen you on the news? Yeah. I

mean look the like photos at parties is going to exist. So I don't drink at like ever. Um that's just like a personal

ever. Um that's just like a personal thing. Um, I'm also Asian, so like I

thing. Um, I'm also Asian, so like I don't metabolize alcohol very well. It's

like not even fun if I were to. So, it's

like I don't really feel like I'm missing out. But that's like a big thing

missing out. But that's like a big thing for me. I just don't want to be

for me. I just don't want to be drinking. I don't want to like do

drinking. I don't want to like do something stupid. I don't want someone

something stupid. I don't want someone to like take a photo of me. It's just

there's no need and drinking doesn't add anything to the experience anyways. So,

it was just an easy choice for me. But

like that's one thing, right? Um,

another thing, for example, could be like, um, oh, you're actually really XYZ.

That's the classic. E, wait, you're actually really smart. Wait, wait, you actually really know what's going on in this class. You're actually really well

this class. You're actually really well prepared for this final. Like, call me.

I'll punch them. Oh my god. Call me.

I'll dead. Call me. I'll [ __ ] them up.

Call me anytime. One of these guys, A1, Tucker, you let me know. I'll be there.

I'll be there. And I will drink. And I

will drink before and I'll punch only.

Oh my god. I'll chug it down. Tequila. I

could suck them really fast. You don't

want to You don't want to look stupid.

I'm happy to do it for for you. She's

not joking. I'm not ready at all. At

all. My eyes like twitching. I'm ready

to go. I'm so ready. I'll call you up. I

have Guys, you don't want to mess with me. I have Phoebe on smooth dial.

me. I have Phoebe on smooth dial.

Eileen, it has been such a pleasure. I

have missed you and this has been incredible. I've learned so much even

incredible. I've learned so much even through being your friend, but just sitting and talking to you about everything has been amazing. I fear

you're going to be added to the exact council I'm going to call. But thank you again for coming on the burnouts. Oh, I

love you both so much. I'm so happy to get to do this.