Denver local and Colorado School of Mines student Michelle Roark, 31, has nearly as many scars from knee surgeries (six) as she has Freestyle World Cup and FIS World Championship medals (seven). The diminutive figure skater-turned-bump basher will be going to the Olympics for the first time.
What is your best training technique?
My former coach Cooper Schell made me a secret “ski machine” that I use for training whenever I am at my loft in the city.
What is your worst injury?
I have had several injuries that have put my skiing career on hold. These injuries are what enabled me to get my degree in chemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines. … Actually, I have four more classes to finish, which I plan to do after this year.
How do you push through mental fatigue?
What I do requires intense concentration combined with controlled nervous energy. This is very exhausting at times, so I use a lot of affirmations and yoga-style breathing techniques.
What’s the sickest thing you’ve seen?
On video I watched myself throw a back full and ski out of it. I never thought I would be throwing inverted tricks, let alone one with a full twist in it!
Who do you admire most?
I admire people who handle adversity with tenacity.
What’s in your CD player?
I like the latest Gwen Stefani CD as well as Eminem and Andrea Bocelli.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Live fully, love wastefully, and be.
What else keeps you busy?
I started a small business making all-natural perfumes and cosmetics. All my products are based on the divine proportions of the number Phi and are meant to empower the wearer with confidence, focus, and energy. The product line is called Phi-nomenal.
