Lindsey Jacobellis is the most decorated snowboarder in history. In her fifth Winter Olympics last year, she won gold―twice. She has been a pioneer in the sport of snowboarding. Her story, however, has been anything but smooth and easy.
In many ways, it’s been a constant uphill grind. In her memoir “Unforgiving: Lessons from the Fall,” Ms. Jacobellis takes the reader through her childhood and how she began competing in snowboarding to her gaffe in the 2006 Winter Olympics to finally rising above the mental stress, injuries, and outside criticisms to achieve gold.
Family and Fire
One consistent theme throughout the book is the importance of family. Though her parents encouraged her to compete, it was her older brother, Benny, who demanded it from her. It is the classic older-younger sibling relationship when both are practically born athletes.Her adolescent stories, I’m certain, will be reminiscent for many readers (it was indeed for this one). It’s a world of trying to just keep up until finally standing atop the proverbial mountain, although in this context, it’s less proverbial and more actual.
At a young age, while she is still dabbling in both skiing and snowboarding, the family’s ski home burns down. Though the loss is substantial, the tragedy results in a twist of fate. Needing to replace her ski gear, Ms. Jacobellis is given the choice between skiing and snowboarding. By the simple choice of selecting the latter, it became a life-altering and career-making decision.
The 2006
The basis of the book is the 2006 moment when she was leading by a substantial margin in the snowboard cross (SBX) event, the event’s inaugural Olympics. In the second-to-last jump of the run, she grabbed her board in midair and did a little twist.
When she landed, she tumbled into the snow, losing what should have been a certain gold medal. Despite the silver medal, it was a gaffe so consequential that it would haunt her for nearly two decades. Questioned and ridiculed by journalists, commentators, and other athletes, the 20-year-old was faced with the challenge of building back what she had just unintentionally pulled down.
Ms. Jacobellis discusses that 16-year journey without restraint and pulling no punches against herself or her critics. It is an honest assessment of how she felt during those years: the exasperation, the anger, the self-doubt, and the courage to press on, compete, and succeed.
It’s Not About Redemption
Ms. Jacobellis makes it quite clear in the book that her story was never about redemption. Her decision to continue competing and continue reaching for the Olympics was never about redeeming herself in the eyes of others or herself. It is a story about perseverance, endurance, and forgiveness.For Ms. Jacobellis, and for many others (athletes and non-athletes), that forgiveness of oneself can only come through knowing that one has endured and persevered. That they have given all they can. That they have pushed their body to the limits time and time again, whether in victory or failure.
Ms. Jacobellis gives the American athlete (indeed all athletes) a source to guide them through the worst of what can happen on the biggest stage. The embarrassment. The second guessing. The ridicule. And how to deal with and combat those inevitable results.
She also provides insight into the best of what can happen, and everything in between, such as setbacks, injuries, dealing with coaches, thoughts on sports journalists, including Bob Costas, and how to listen to your body.
This is a sports memoir worth reading if for no other reason than to prepare athletes for what is surely to come: losses and mistakes.
It is a story that culminates in a golden moment, and as wonderful and, dare I say, redemptive as that is, the purpose and the message is about forgiving oneself and being able to move on with life. It’s about healing from the fire and understanding that fires take place, they are destructive, and they give us the option to either bury ourselves among the ashes or take heart and rebuild.
