Jessie Diggins, America's most decorated cross-country skier, officially retired from Olympic competition back in March 2026. But get this: she didn't just walk away from grueling challenges. Nope. She's already diving headfirst into a new journey as an ultramarathoner and speaker, and her approach to fueling is something we all need to talk about.
From Olympic Gold to Ultramarathon Grind
We're talking about a legend here. Diggins is a four-time Olympic medalist and a four-time World Cup Champion. The woman holds the record for the most World Cup starts with 385, has won 30 World Cups, and has been on the podium an insane 90 times! Seriously, ninety! She was lucky to have such a long, great career in cross-country skiing, and that community had her back for 16 unbelievably special years. So why ultra-running after all that? It makes total sense when you dig into it. Cross-country skiing is an endurance sport at its core, with tons of mileage whether it was on long runs or roller skiing. Diggins is no stranger to training on tough terrains for miles, and she's always been drawn to long point-to-point running adventures in the mountains. She loves that runner's high, pushing her body and mind in new ways, so this transition? It's natural for her.The Fuel That Powers a Champ
Now, with a full-time speaker job on top of the ultramarathon training, Diggins is super conscious about her recovery and proper fueling routines. This stuff matters more than ever! Her secret weapon to sustain energy? Starting the day with a nutrient-packed meal. We're talking carbs, protein, and fats hitting all the boxes. Her perfect breakfast? A homemade cappuccino and a smoothie bowl. She loads that smoothie with whey protein, then tops it with an assortment of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit like pumpkin seeds, cashews, and sometimes dried coconut if she's feeling tropical. If she's short on time or traveling for races, she keeps Banana Bread Superhero Muffins, created by her friend Elyse Kopecky, on hand for that wholesome nutrition. She's even teamed up with NOW to empower women, sharing daily inspiration, nutrition tips, recipes, and workouts. Beyond nutrition, she takes a holistic approach, always doing 10-15 minutes of mind and body prep before hitting the mileage. This woman is a powerhouse, and it's incredible to see her embrace new challenges after such an epic career. What's the first big ultra race she'll crush? We'll be watching!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.