@chloekim/instagramCloe Kim was break the barriers since she’s been on the scene — she’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first woman in history to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in halfpipe snowboarding — and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
“I’m really, really grateful. Sometimes I have imposter syndrome because I’m still so young, but at the same time I feel so old because I’ve been doing it for so long. I’m glad it worked out the way it did. I am seeing how very impactful I realized and how I was able to show it, regardless of my age and regardless of who you are and what you look like. Everything happens for a reason and I’m glad I’ve been able to inspire others,” the 22-year-old, who collaborated with Mucinex Fast Max to help support the launch of the brand Small but mighty campaign, he tells exclusively Morning honey.
@chloekim/instagramGrowing up, the California native, who always wanted to go to the Olympics when she was six or seven, watched in awe Bright Torah, Kelly Clark AND Elena Alto. “I used to watch them on TV and now my name is on their same starting list,” she says. “It’s really cool. I remember taking a picture of the start list and was so amazed to be able to follow in their footsteps. It’s a dream.”
While women in sports have been grossly underrepresented, the athlete hopes it’s slow but inexorable changing over time. “Any step in that direction is the right direction,” she shares. “There are so many female athletes out there who have such incredible stories – and people like me who may have started from more humble beginnings and were able to rise up and conquer the world on their own. Seeing so many of these people now is very powerful. “
In fact, not only has Kim become a household name, she is now become a model to other young girls or athletes looking to her for inspiration. “It was incredible. I saw it more and more as the years went by,” she says. “Every time I go to the mountains, I see all these little girls out there. They are so excited to tell me the tricks they learned and how great it is to meet me and how they started snowboarding because of me. Sometimes I forget how long it’s been I do – I’ve been racing professionally for 10 years now.”
“Now I see how I’ve made a positive impact on the sport and inspired other girls out there to get into it. I was telling my friends the other day that when I first started snowboarding there weren’t many girls in mountain snowboarding – I’m It’s always been people who ski. But now when you go to the mountains, all these little girls are having fun and chasing this Olympic dream.”
@chloekim/instagramKim really “hopes” to make his mark on sports world forever. “I don’t really know how much impact I’m having unless girls come up to me, but I’m like, ‘Okay, I think I’m on to something here.’ I only started snowboarding because I loved it—and I still do because I love it and that’s always been the thing that drove me.Now that I know I’m making a positive impact in some way, shape or form still drives me. more to keep doing what I do and be even better at it and be a good role model. Some people might see this as a grueling task, but I see it as an honor. I’m privileged to be able to do that.”
Not only Kim is proving it girls can do anything — but also Asian American women. “There weren’t many athletes who looked like me,” she recalls. “It was really hard, and that’s why I’m so thankful to be given this platform because I know how big an impact it would have had for me as a young girl – to see someone who looked like me be able to achieve these big goals and big dreams and having all these cool metals. Knowing that I can be that for someone else means the world to me. Authenticity is really important to me.”
In the off season, theMasked singer alum worked out and did physical therapy. “I have to make sure I’m super strong because as you get older, your muscles and body change,” he notes.
As for what the future holds, it seems Kim isn’t stopping by early. “I thought Beijing would be my last Olympics, but then I thought, ‘No, I have to go on.’ Things can change. I want to go to Italy so I’ll probably make another one. It depends on where I am in my life and if I keep feeling accomplished, I’ll move on. It’s hard to make decisions like that because the Olympics are held every four years and a lot can happen during that time. I have an open mind, so we’ll see what happens!
But, she says, “There are a couple of tricks I want to learn before I go!”
Meanwhile, Kim is thrilled to work with Mucinex Fast Max to help support the launch of the brand Small but mighty campaign to remind everyone that it provides powerful multi-symptom relief in one small dose.
Mucinex Fast Max is spotlighting small but mighty communities across the country by supporting five YMCA chapters with donations totaling $100,000 in 2023, starting with a donation to Weingart East L.A.Y, which will benefit their winter youth leadership program.
@chloekim/instagram“I’m a big fan of Mucinex Fast Max. It’s my point of reference whenever I’m sick. I actually just recovered from the flu and thought, ‘Thank goodness I have my Mucinex products here because it saved my life – this stuff works!’” he says. “I have first-hand experience. Additionally, with this campaign, she’s spotlighting small but mighty communities across the country, and they’re supporting five YMCA chapters, with donations totaling $100,000. Knowing that I’m partnering with a brand that is happy to help that community is really important to me because that’s always what I stand for.”
“When I first started snowboarding, we didn’t have all the resources. I also remember those people who helped me through those moments and reminded me that when I made it, I had to do the same,” he reflects. “Collaboration with Mucinex Fast Max and helping communities is perfect for me. What they are doing is amazing. I am thrilled to work with them.”
“I’m definitely small but mighty,” she declares. “Being a woman in sports has always been a challenge in some way, and I’m breaking barriers and stereotypes. The fact that I’m able to do that is such an honour. We may be small, but we are powerful!”
