Eileen Gu. Defy expectations, redefine success
Eileen Gu’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, selflessness and continuous growth on her own terms.
Photography Lock Chee Wei
Creative direction and styling Colin Sim
Words John Ng
Sometimes the right decision is the hardest one to make. When Eileen Gu was 15, she was invited to her first World Cup. Coincidentally, the state cross-country skiing championship was also taking place the same week. Given that cross-country is a team sport, she decided to participate in the event, knowing that her absence would make it difficult for her team to achieve success.
As the state championship approached, her teammates’ parents expressed their gratitude, recognising her selfless dedication to the team and willingness to compete alongside them so that their daughters could excel. However, they were convinced that Gu ought to seize the opportunity of competing in the World Cup because of its international significance. “If it were our daughters, we would have them go to that too,” she reminisces. “I was like, ‘Really? "Are you sure?” She was taken aback and questioned their stance. Ultimately, she mustered the courage to go for the World Cup.
“The reason I got this sudden invitation was because someone else got injured and couldn’t compete. I did decently well, enough to open my own World Cup spot. Subsequently, I secured second place in my second World Cup and went on to win my third one. And since then, I’ve podiumed at every World Cup, except for one,” says Gu. “I believe that decision significantly altered the course of my career as I could have decided against competing at the world level in skiing. So I think that was a pretty big turning point for me.”
When asked about her definition of success, Gu’s answer reveals her state of growth and evolving perspective. While winning competitions and embracing sportsmanship were once her main measures of success, she has since discovered a deeper sense of fulfilment. For her, success now lies in finding joy in the process itself and appreciating the challenges and triumphs that come with training. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, she channels her energy into productive outlets. Whether it’s hiking for hours or working on improving her skills, she finds solace in taking action.
“It’s like when you’re mad, you have so much energy that you can’t just sit there; you kind of have to do something,” she says. It was after the Olympics that she truly found her calling, using her platform to empower others and propounding balance, education and inclusivity in sports.
Despite her multitude of accomplishments at such a young age, Gu remains remarkably grounded. In the presence of influential individuals from various fields, she still sees herself as the “little fish in the room,” humbled by the talent and expertise around her. “I would walk a fashion show with supermodels that I grew up idolising, and I’d think to myself, ‘Oh, my God, I'm so unqualified to be here’” she says. “Or I'd be at a conference speaking in front of CEOs or founders of multibillion-dollar companies, and I would think, ‘Who am I to be here?’” For her, it’s this respect for others which serves as a constant reminder that there is always more to learn.
Hair 何磊 Nick He
Makeup 张宸硕 Edison
