Hi, I'm Daniela Ceccarelli. I was an Olympic Gold medalist in alpine skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City games. Currently, I’m a TV technical expert for RAI Broadcast for Alpine Skiing World Cup Races and for major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and the World Championships. I am also the Team Principal of the youth center for excellence, Golden Team Ceccarelli, the ski club winner of the Italian Children's Cup rankings in the U16 and U14 categories. I’m very proud of my athletes!!!
I can’t place myself within the influencer world… but If we talk about skiing and the mountains, I feel I am an influencer because after 15 years on the World Cup Circuit, I felt the need to devise a teachable format to make the thrill of carving accessible, even to those who only experience skiing on holidays. I love to share my passion with athletes as much as with amateurs, but above all I like to share my vision of skiing: carving, carving, carving.
What MOMENT do you ski for?
My favorite moment on the snow is when I stop thinking and I just fall into the flow feeling - being one with the snow, with my skis and with the mountains.
How do you recharge your batteries for the next challenge?
My way of recharging my batteries is to do something completely different in a completely different environment. But always in a wild place, where my mind is free to look at what I usually do on the snow: coaching, teaching, carving, TV Commentating .. . from a different perspective to find new solutions and communication formats.
What’s your favorite quote? Why does this quote resonate with you?
These words are written on the wall of the players' entrance to the Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. I like to remember this and to share it with my athletes, because the only victory you can achieve is #livethemoment and then let it go.
How do you conquer difficult situations?
Difficult situations require change and change requires courage. In difficult times I pray, asking God to give me courage.
What sacrifices have you had to make to get to where you are today and were they worth it?
The cool thing is that to get to where I am, I didn't give up on anything and I just did what I wanted because for me true victory is in the journey you took to win.
How does your mindset (or attitude) influence your performance?
I am a super rational person, and when I stop thinking, my skiing becomes a creative act.
What do you do when you aren’t skiing?
Difficult to say! I ski 300 days a year and when I'm not skiing, I'm organizing the next training and travel programs.
What strategy do you use to overcome pressure and stress for optimum performance?
I get up early, take a nice cold shower and do 200 burpees before breakfast. I’m so tired after I don't have the energy to worry about anything else!