[Flash] Why Olympian Snowboarder Helped Her Mentee Win the Gold

“She was so cool, and I wanted to be like her. Chloe is my idol,” gushed Gaon.

Chloe is considered the world’s greatest female snowboarder, having won gold in the halfpipe at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics and being favored to win another gold this year!

They met ten years ago when Chloe discovered Gaon’s promising talent. (“I saw something in you” is a powerful validation!)

Chloe took Gaon under her wing, helping her master snowboarding tricks and introducing Gaon to Chloe’s coach in California.

Last week at the 2026 Olympics, Mentor and Mentee became rivals in the women’s halfpipe finals: Chloe aiming for a three-peat; Gaon seeking her first gold.

When Gaon crashed on one of her runs in the competition, Chloe reminded her, “You got this. You’re a badass snowboarder.”

And Gaon proved her Mentor right. Her final run earned her a score that beat Chloe’s, awarding Gaon the gold medal and her Mentor the silver!

Chloe embraced Gaon in a celebratory hug and beamed at her Mentee throughout the medal ceremony. 

At the press conference, Chloe reflected on the full-circle moment, watching Gaon progress felt like seeing a mirror reflection of herself.

Mentees often surpass their Mentors.

• Poet Maya Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey
• Hip-hop producer Dr. Dre mentored rapper Eminem
• Angel investor Mark Markkula mentored Steve Jobs

A Mentee’s triumph is not an indication of a Mentor’s weakness or failure; it’s an indication of their influence.

But why bother expanding wings to mentor a potential rival?

• Compassion: We remember what it’s like to be new in an endeavor.
• Commitment: We feel a deep commitment to our organization, a craft, or a community.
• Connection: Being great at anything comes with the potential for loneliness and a desire to connect and share the experience with someone who also excels.
• Confidence: There’s no oxygen for imposter syndrome when you’re contributing to the success of others.
• Change: We are stretched by the people we guide.

Mentoring Gaon didn’t diminish Chloe; it enriched her. It made her a stronger snowboarder and a healthier human being.

Competing against her Mentee over the past decade pushed Chloe to dominate her sport, while mentoring Gaon expanded her empathy, emotional security, and leadership.

Following the competition, Chloe gushed with pride on social media, “I feel like a proud mom. The future of snowboarding’s in good hands.”

Healthy mentors operate from abundance with Chloe-level confidence and generosity.

© 2026. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.