Boardroom with Rich Kleiman Lindsey Vonn On Why Winning Must Come Before Money
Aug 31, 2026
Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn joins Jack Howard, Ally Bank’s Head of Money Wellness, for a candid conversation about injuries, identity, and life after ski racing. Vonn reflects on family sacrifices, why winning came before money, and building lasting brand partnerships. She also discusses financial preparation, vulnerability, and finding purpose, joy, and adventure beyond competition.
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Ski Racing Began With Family Sacrifice
- Lindsey Vonn learned money’s importance while her family supported her expensive ski-racing dream after moving from Minnesota to Colorado.
- Her father stayed behind to work, while her mother managed five children in a small condo with tight finances.
Why Two Dollars Felt So Special
- Lindsey Vonn’s grandmother gave the grandchildren a few precious dollars for slush puppies during summer visits in Wisconsin.
- Because her parents rarely gave her cash, those small outings became memorable family experiences.
Winning Repaid Her Family’s Sacrifice
- Lindsey Vonn understood that pursuing the 2002 Olympics cost her siblings emotionally as well as financially.
- After she made the team at 17, her family returned to Minnesota so her siblings could finish high school.