Full Speed, Clear Mind: Mia Manganello on Presence Headed into Her Third Olympics
Mia Manganello isn't chasing confidence heading into Milano Cortina. She already found it, and the path there looked nothing like what she expected.
Her Smoothest Quad Yet
Her first Games came with nerves, illness, and the sheer weight of the moment. Her second brought more footing, but still plenty of jitters. This one is different.
"This one is by far the smoothest and the most relaxed," she says. "My biggest mindset focus this past year has been to be present. Not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future…just being in the moment and enjoying every single second of it."
Three Games in, she's stopped trying to manage the moment.
One Lap at a Time
In speed skating, presence from one lap to the next is not just practical, it’s necessary. To help her mind-body connection, Manganello’s nutritionist gave her a simple anchor: every time you walk through a doorway, take a breath.
"It sounds small," Mia says, "but it really resonated with me. We move through the day so quickly that we don't even realize it. Just that one pause…it brings you back."
Presence became a lifestyle. And with it came something she didn't anticipate: enjoyment.
"This whole process has become way more enjoyable," she says. "And that's something I'll carry for the rest of my life long after skating is over."
Calm Is a Choice
"I like to be calm. I like to be at peace. I like to see everything and relax in it. When I’m calm, I skate better. It’s that simple."
For most of her career, Mia measured success one way: the podium. This year, she let that go.
"It took a lot of weight and pressure off myself," she says. "I enjoyed skating more. I enjoyed training more. And I think that's actually made me better."
When Manganello takes the ice at the 2026 Winter Games, she’ll do so with gratitude, presence, and confidence.
"I don't care what the result is at the Olympics. If it's a medal…great. Absolutely phenomenal. But I'm happy with how it's been. I don't want to waste enjoying the present by worrying about the future. What will come will come, and I'm going to enjoy getting there."
ABOUT THIS SERIES
I'm Amy Wotovich and I am on a mission to interview 100% of Team USA's 2026 Olympic and Paralympic athletes to create the most comprehensive mindset record of a single Games cycle. What do elite competitors actually believe about pressure, identity, failure, and joy? Mia Manganello is one of hundreds of athletes sharing their unfiltered answers. Follow the journey!
