Back The Team, the mentorship platform connecting young athletes with Olympians and Paralympians, is proud to announce its collaboration with USA Luge and the addition of Olympian Zack DiGregorio as a mentor leading a cohort this November.

Back The Team is excited to officially announce Zach Miller as our newest mentor—an extraordinary para snowboarder whose story will inspire athletes nationwide. On October 21st, Zach will begin mentoring a new cohort of athletes through Back The Team. For one month, he’ll share the stories and mindset strategies that carried him from a daunting diagnosis to secure two World Championship victories and a trip to the 2022 Paralympics.

On this World Mental Health Day, Olympian Tess Johnson reminds us that fear, nerves, and anxiety are normal—even at the highest level of sport. The key isn’t avoiding those emotions, but reframing them into fuel. Embrace the butterflies, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Tess Johnson turned her greatest weakness into her superpower. Once fearful of jumping, she transformed that fear into strength and became the first female ever to debut the Back Venom in mogul skiing. Her journey is a reminder that the embracing the process is what makes greatness possible.

Grit develops earlier, while emotional regulation takes more time to build. That means young athletes already have the drive. But, the ones who learn composure will be the ones who unlock their full potential. That’s where Back The Team comes in.