If I am doing some new tricks, I say, ‘if i die, i die. at least i die happy.'”
In Making It To Milan,
Liu Jiayu joins co-host Ashley Cain to talk through what it means to return for a fifth Olympic run in snowboard halfpipe for China after stepping away from the sport. Jiayu shares how retirement plans shifted toward a comeback, fueled by honest conversations with sponsors and encouragement from her godmother, plus a renewed focus on being “chilled” and present in Milan. She breaks down how she turns her brain on and off on the mountain, uses music and visualization before dropping in, and navigates the hidden grind of injuries, rehab, and the emotional ups and downs of chasing progression. Coach Benjamin “Benny” Bright joins to reflect on working together, Jiayu’s resilience, and their shared emphasis on gratitude, enjoyment, and love for the journey.
5x olympian, jiayu wants to keep the focus on joy
“What are you going to do, cry if you don’t win a gold medal?”
Jiayu has competed on the world’s largest stages, and won some of the most prestigious medals. That said, for her, it’s about more than the shiny medals — it’s about joy, freedom, and being on the mountain with her friends.
