Jessica Diggins is an American cross-country skier. She and teammate Kikkan Randall won the United States’ first ever cross-country skiing gold medal at the Winter Olympics in the team sprint in 2018. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, she won the silver medal in the 30 kilometer freestyle and the bronze medal in the individual sprint, making her the most decorated American cross-country skier of all-time. She also won four medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships from 2013 to 2017. In 2021, Diggins clinched the top spot in the women’s overall standings for the 2020–21 FIS Cross-Country World Cup, becoming the first American to do so.
Medal record: Women’s cross-country skiing: Representing United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2018 Pyeongchang Team sprint
Silver medal – second place 2022 Beijing 30 km freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Beijing Individual sprint
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2013 Val di Fiemme Team sprint
Silver medal – second place 2015 Falun 10 km freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2017 Lahti Individual sprint
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Lahti Team sprint
U23 World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2014 Val di Fiemme Individual sprint
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up Jessica Diggins an exceptionally talented American cross-country skier, winner of Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal, here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, skin care, hair care and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Saint Paul and grew up in Afton, Minnesota. Your love for skiing started early in life at the age of four years. You won a gold medal with Kikkan Randall in the team sprint in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2013 in Val di Fiemme. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a cross-country skier. You won the Olympic Gold medal in 2018 at Pyeongchang in Team sprint event. Tell us more about your journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Jessie Diggins:
I’ve always loved the hard work needed in this sport. It’s incredibly humbling, and I always feel that I have something new to learn and improve upon! I haven’t always had the best technique, tactics or speed, but I’ve always been able to push my body past its limits, and digging deep and getting gritty is what I love best. I also love working hard with an awesome team around me, and we push and pull each other to success by encouraging and helping each other get the most out of training every day!
Namita Nayyar:
You have been a member of the American Skiing Team and had competed in many Championships and won. Tells how you were drawn to this sport of cross-country Skiing and your meteoric rise to be a member of the American Skiing Team?
Jessie Diggins:
I love the people and the culture of cross country skiing! This is such an incredible sport, because it can be so challenging but also so rewarding every time you make a new breakthrough. It’s a sport you can do for life (and I plan to!) and the friendships I’ve made and experiences gained from traveling around the world and seeing different cultures and countries has been incredibly motivating for me.
Namita Nayyar:
You have won the Olympic Gold medal in 2018 at Pyeongchang in the event Team sprint, World Championships Gold medal in 2013 at Val di Fiemme in Team sprint, Silver medal in 2015 at Falun in 10 km freestyle, Silver medal in 2017at Lahti in Individual sprint, Bronze medal in 2017 at Lahti in Team sprint, U23 World Championships Silver medal in 2014 at Val di Fiemme in Individual Sprint. Tell us more about your experience of these spectacular exceptional achievements?
Jessie Diggins:
These were incredible career moments, but for me the best and most emotional parts was celebrating with my team, because it really takes so much from so many people to make those moments possible! My favorite memory from the Olympics is getting up off the snow after winning Gold and seeing our whole team right along the finish line boards, screaming and crying and celebrating together.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2022 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You won the 2021 Tour de Ski, a first for an American. You are placed atop the overall World Cup 2020–2021 season standings, claiming the biggest annual prize in cross-country skiing. How do you manage such a remarkable achievement and how it shall be a catalyst to your more exceptional sporting achievements in cross-country skiing to come?
Jessie Diggins:
I give all the credit for that to my amazing team and support team! These were so hard to achieve, and it would not have been possible to win them alone. I feel so lucky to have amazing coaches, wax techs, teammates, a supportive family and fiancé, and partners that help me get through so many challenging races! I think the past season was a great test for me in terms of handling pressure and a lot of racing, so I’m looking forward to this winter and seeing what I can do!
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Jessie Diggins:
In the summer, I’m training six days a week, twice a day. Every day is a little bit different, but what I love is that I get to train in so many different ways! I roller ski, run, bike, swim outside and lift weights, so it’s never boring. We also do intensity training a few times a week, speed training once a week, and lift in the gym twice each week, so our bodies are always challenged with something new.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your fitness routine in such pandemic times?
Jessie Diggins:
I’m really lucky in that most of our training is outside, and easy to do while keeping social distance. So running, biking, roller skiing and skiing are all ways that I train that I was able to do through the pandemic!
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Jessie Diggins:
We train in the gym twice a week, and do a wide variety of exercises that work our entire bodies. Having a strong core is really important for cross country skiing, as it’s how we connect the power from our arms to our legs. So I spend about 20 minutes twice a week focused on core training. But I think the real secret is simply that skiing works your core every time you plant your poles, so every time I’m out skiing it’s a core workout in and of itself!
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Jessie Diggins:
I try to be sure I eat a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruits so that I’m getting enough nutrients through my food. But I don’t have a special diet, and I enjoy dessert every day. I do, however, listen to my body and honor what it’s telling me, so when I’m hungry, I eat, and when I’m full, I stop. I try not to eat out of boredom or emotion, but I also don’t try and ignore or suppress hunger cues either.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Jessie Diggins:
I love salmon, raspberries, dark chocolate, banana bread and really crispy roasted brussels sprouts. And I really, truly believe that all foods fit into a healthy diet! But, I don’t consume very much of these foods: fried chicken, olives, raw beef, picked fish, beer.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your haircare and skincare routine. What special care do you take for both during extreme winter weather?
Jessie Diggins:
This is so cliché, but to be honest…staying hydrated and eating my fruits and veggies! I use dermatome skin protection for my lips when training outside, especially when it’s cold or windy. I also love the black clay face soap from Osmia Organics and I wash my face every night before bed. And for hair, I put some argon oil in the ends of my hair after a shower to keep it from getting tangled when out for long runs or skis in the wind.
Namita Nayyar:
Athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Jessie Diggins:
Salomon, LL Bean and Indura Athletic.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding Cross-Country Skiers, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of Cross-Country Skiing?
Jessie Diggins:
Ski because you love it! If you really love what you do and are focused on just giving your very best each day, then every day is an opportunity to find success. And join a team that you love! It’s so much more fun to train with friends!
Namita Nayyar:
You have 184k followers on Instagram. A message for your Instagram followers.
Jessie Diggins:
Thank you for the cheering and belief! It’s amazing to feel that support from around the world, and it’s been so much fun to share my journey with you.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Jessie Diggins:
Love it. A great, reliable, consistent source of quality fitness info…a definite bookmark!
Jessie Diggins Social Media Presence
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessiediggins/
Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/jessdiggs
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jessiedigginsski
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2022 Women Fitness