Ep 32: Tracks That Shape Us: Skiing Through Career, Motherhood, and Identity with Erika Flowers and Annie Van Fossan

Today’s episode is about what it means to grow, evolve, and keep skiing at the center of it all, even as life adds new roles, new priorities, and new finish lines.

I’m joined by two incredible women who embody that balance: Erika Flowers and Annie Van Fossan. 

Both Erika and Annie are former professional cross-country skiers, both competed on the collegiate EISA circuit and then for the SMS T2 ski team. Both have gone on to pursue leadership positions in their careers, become mothers, and continue to keep skiing close to their hearts. 

In our conversation, we talk about the transition from racing professionally to building fulfilling careers, the lessons skiing instilled that now guide their leadership and motherhood, and the evolving definition of “having it all.”

Both Erika and Annie recently became mothers. And both have spoken beautifully about the tension and joy of this season; loving their children deeply while also honoring the other parts of themselves: the athlete, the professional, the dreamer.

Most of all, we reflect on how skiing, whether it’s racing, coaching, officiating, or simply gliding through the woods, continues to shape who they are and how they move through the world.

I hope you enjoy this episode of Extra Blue with Erika and Annie!

Link to NNF: https://nationalnordicfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/256302-d25-xc-2025