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The Strength to Soar: Olympic Champion Megan Oldham on Fitness, Fearlessness & Chasing Gold

Megan Oldham
Megan Oldham

Megan Oldham is a Canadian freestyle skier who competes internationally in the big air and slopestyle disciplines. She is an Olympic champion and two-time medalist, winning gold in the Big air event and bronze in the Slopestyle in 2026. Megan Oldham was born at Newmarket, Ontario and grew up in Parry Sound, Ontario. She is a graduate of Parry Sound High School.

Oldham joined the Canadian national team in 2018. In January 2019, Oldham won her first FIS World Cup medal, a silver, in the slopestyle event. In March 2019, Oldham won her first World Cup gold and took home the 2019 Slopestyle Crystal Globe. Oldham competed at her first World Championships in 2021. She won the bronze medal in the slopestyle and fourth in the big air.

Oldham won two medals at the 2022 Winter X Games: a silver in big air and a bronze in the slopestyle. On January 24, 2022, Oldham was named to Canada’s 2022 Olympic team in the big air and slopestyle events. She earned a fourth-place finish in Big Air.

In January 2023, while competing in the X Games, Oldham became the first woman to land a triple cork in any women’s ski or snowboard event. She landed a leftside triple cork 1440 while competing in Women’s Ski Big Air, and won a gold medal in that event. She won her second gold at the 2023 X Games in women’s ski slopetyle.

On January 20, 2026, Oldham was named to Canada’s 2026 Olympic team in the big air and slopestyle events. She won a bronze medal in slopestyle and a gold medal in freeski big air. On February 16, 2026, Megan Oldham captured Canada’s second gold of the 2026 Winter Olympic at Milan-Cortina Games by winning gold at the big air freestyle skiing event, finishing with a score of 180.75 points.

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Megan Oldham – an exceptionally talented Canadian freestyle skier, she is two-time Olympic medalist. Here she talks about fitness regime and her success journey.

Namita Nayyar:

You grew up in Parry Sound, Ontario, which is a far cry from the massive mountain resorts where you now compete. How did that small-town environment shape your work ethic and your love for the sport?

Megan Oldham:

I think coming from a small town really shaped me as an athlete. Parry Sound is in the midst of so much nature and growing up the only form of entertainment was being outside. We didn’t have big city amenities like movie theatres or arcades to hang out at. I spent so much time outdoors doing all sorts of sports which fuelled my competitive nature and taught me a lot of valuable athletic skills.

Namita Nayyar:

You joined the national team in 2018. What was that transition like, and what was the most important lesson you learned in your first year on the circuit?

Megan Oldham:

When I first joined the National Team in 2018 is was a big adjustment. I wasn’t used to the constant travelling or being away from my family and friends. The long periods on the road definitely made me homesick at times but I was also enjoying the excitement of exploring new places and cultures.

I think the first season I learned the importance of strength training and looking after my body. I wasn’t expecting the physical demand from constant training and travelling. I learned fast that I needed to be in the gym regularly and seeing a chiropractor in order to keep my body functioning properly.

Namita Nayyar:

In your first full season, you took home the Slopestyle Crystal Globe. Looking back, what did winning that title so early in your career teach you about consistency and handling pressure?

Megan Oldham:

I think at the time, I didn’t truly appreciate the significance of winning the crystal globe. Truthfully, I wasn’t even really aware that the overall standings were a thing. I was just in this bubble of excitement at the time, given that it was my first season and was experiencing so many new things. I was so zoned into my skiing that I was oblivious to the fact I could win the globe.

Looking back now, I think it instilled a lot of confidence in my skiing abilities and allowed me to believe in myself and feel like I deserved to be there. Moving forward, that confidence helped to continue to progress within the sport.

Namita Nayyar:

At the Beijing 2022 Olympics, you finished fourth in Big Air—just off the podium. How did you process that result? Do you think that near-miss was a necessary step to becoming the athlete you are today?

Megan Oldham:

My results at the Beijing 2022 Olympics were a hard pill to swallow. Missing the podium in Big Air by 1 spot and then having a small mistake in Slopestyle which left me one spot out of finals was crushing. I wanted it so badly and the worst part was that I felt I had shown my best skiing in Big Air. I preformed my best tricks with perfect execution so I think knowing that my best performance simply wasn’t enough was a hard reality.

I felt like I didn’t have what it took in the moment to be at the top. My best wasn’t enough. That really shaped me as an athlete. Coming into the next Olympics I never wanted to be in a position again where my tricks weren’t good enough to compete with the best. I trained so hard going into Milan to ensure I had the most technical tricks so that if I landed them it would put me in a position to fight for the top spot.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness

Namita Nayyar:

You made history at X Games by becoming the first woman to land a triple cork in skiing or snowboarding. Take us inside that moment. Was there fear, or was it just pure focus?

Megan Oldham:

Landing the first ever triple cork was a whirlwind of emotions for me. In the moments leading up to the trick I was incredibly focused. It felt like I entered a flow state where the rest of the noise around me just disappeared and I was alone in my mind. Pure silence and just locked into the jump in-front of me, visualizing on repeat. After I landed the triple I mainly felt relief.

Relief that all my hard work paid off. Relief that I didn’t get hurt and relief that I didn’t let myself down. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest because it was something I worked so hard at and wanted so badly. I had such deep-rooted fear of failure and injury. I was so proud of myself in that moment for pushing through.

Namita Nayyar:

Fast forward to February 16, 2026—you’re an Olympic Gold Medalist in Big Air and a Bronze Medalist in Slopestyle. What was going through your mind when you saw the score (180.75) and realized you had won gold?

Megan Oldham:

I was in pure shock dropping in for my last run knowing that I won Gold. I think I was trying to process the moment but couldn’t. When you dream about something for so long and want it so badly, it felt hard for my brain to connect the real moment with what I had dreamed in my head. I remember my coaches giving me a hug and saying “You are the Olympic Champion” and I felt like my eyes just went wide in disbelief. I looked out on the crowd below and smiled. I took a deep breath and tried my best to soak it in even though it wasn’t feeling real.

Namita Nayyar:

With a resume that includes Olympic Gold, X Games Gold, and a Crystal Globe, how do you define success now compared to how you defined it when you started?

Megan Oldham:

I would say I define success by showing up for myself and battling through the struggles. At the start of my career I definitely defined my success by how many events I won but I’ve learned sport is much more complicated than that. Skiing is a cruel sport that comes with a lot of injuries and adversity. Some of my biggest struggles have been mental battles with fear. Learning to work through those mental traumas and continue to progress is the biggest success in my mind. The event titles are just a cherry on top after all the battles to get there.

Namita Nayyar:

Freestyle skiing demands a unique combination of explosive power, endurance, and aerial awareness. What does a typical week of training look like for you during the off-season versus the competitive season?

Megan Oldham:

In the off season we do a lot of intense strength training and explosive power work to bulk up before the season. Typically, 3-4 sessions per week this consists of 2 hour long workouts. When we are on the road mid-season it’s more difficult to stay in the gym and maintain energy for skiing so we tend to do more recovery focused exercises. More core, stability, and balance work. Daily stretching and typically 1 or 2 strength program workouts per week.

Namita Nayyar:

Landing tricks like a triple cork puts immense strain on the body. What are your “non-negotiable” exercises for protecting your knees and core?

Megan Oldham:

Haha this is so honest and real. Knee injuries are a big risk in our sport for sure, especially given the amount of impact and twisting motions we experience. My trainer builds a great program for me who features a lot of quad, hamstring, calf, and glute exercises. I would say my non-negotiable exercise is leg extensions. I always find this exercise gets my muscles firing.

I love doing it even part of warm ups because it gets my legs ready to engage quickly and effectively for impact. I am also a big fan of Tibialis raises. They are often overlooked but I find super effective in preserving my knee health.

Namita Nayyar:

How much of your training is spent on trampolines or water ramps versus actual snow? How do you balance the need for repetition with the risk of injury?

Megan Oldham:

Most of my training is on snow. I would say about 80%. We never train on water ramps however airbags are a big tool for us. I spend part of my summer training that way which is about 15%. As for trampoline, its maybe 5% of my training. Injury management is the biggest part of our sport so I will always prioritize health over excessive training.

Namita Nayyar:

As an elite athlete competing in a high-intensity sport, what does your daily nutrition look like? Do you follow a specific diet (e.g., high-protein, plant-based) to maintain energy levels?

Megan Oldham:

Honestly, I wouldn’t say I have any crazy diet restrictions or nutrition plan. Skiing isn’t as much of an endurance sport and doesn’t relay as heavy on specific diets. For me the main thing is getting enough protein intake and carbs to fuel my energy demands. Besides that, water is a big must!

Namita Nayyar:

On the day of a Big Air final, do you have a go-to meal or snack that helps you stay locked in?

Megan Oldham:

No go-to meal, however I always like to have a decent portion of breakfast. Eggs or pancakes, something the fuels me for the day. I find if I don’t eat in the morning it sometimes makes me feel sick and more nervous for my event.

Namita Nayyar:

After a grueling day of competition or training, what is your priority for recovery in terms of food and hydration?

Megan Oldham:

Protein…. lots of protein. We burn so many calories during training and competition that fuelling my body is so important afterwards. I always try to prioritize getting enough protein and carbs to maintain my muscle needs. I typically reach for some sort of chicken, beef bowl mix with rice and potatoes. I also try to drink lots of water throughout training to stay hydrated.

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Namita Nayyar:

Spending hours in a helmet, sweating in the sun, and dealing with cold, dry mountain air can be brutal on hair. What is your hair care routine to keep it healthy despite the daily wear and tear?

Megan Oldham:

I love a good hair mask from time to time. I typically use the Kerastase “The Kure” deep conditioning mask which I find helps revive my dry hair from the cold temps. I also love raw bantana oil. That is the Holy Grail for brining my hair back to life.

Namita Nayyar:

As a skier, you are exposed to intense UV rays (especially at high altitudes) and harsh winter wind. Can you walk us through your skincare routine? What are your essential products for staying protected and hydrated on the mountain?

Megan Oldham:

Sunscreen is key! We get a lot of high-altitude exposure where the UV radiation is much stronger so sunscreen is so important. I personally really love the Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Hydrating Fluid. Its lightweight, fugal acne safe, and good with my sensitive skin. I always put on a good moisturizer as well, since the dry conditions really take a toll on my skin. Purrito Oat in Calming Gel is my favourite. It’s super lightweight and not oily.

Namita Nayyar:

Do you have any pre-competition beauty or skincare rituals that help you feel confident and focused before dropping in?

Megan Oldham:

My teammates tease me because I always love to shower and wash my hair on competition day even though I’m about to sweat the entire day. Something about feeling fresh and extra clean before going out to compete gives me that extra confidence.

Namita Nayyar:

You’ve achieved everything there is to achieve in the sport—Olympic gold, X Games gold, World Cup titles. What is the next mountain you want to climb? Are there specific tricks you still want to land or new ways you want to push the sport?

Megan Oldham:

My next mountain is simply continuing to progress the sport. I want to be at the top level pushing boundaries of tricks we didn’t think were possible. I want to continue to prove women’s powerful presence within sport. Trick wise, I would love to learn a switch double 16 and an Olympic Silver medal would complete my set so that is something I’ll certainly be working towards.

Namita Nayyar:

You’ve become a role model for young skiers, especially those from small towns in Canada. What is the one piece of advice you would give to a young girl in Parry Sound who dreams of going to the Olympics?

Megan Oldham:

I would tell all the young aspiring skiers that success comes from pure passion and love for something. I am riding my best when I’m so obsessed and in love with skiing. You always hear people say, “love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life”.

This is so true. When I’m having fun and enjoying being in the present moment is when I learn my new tricks and preforms my best. I would remind people to not take everything so seriously or put immense pressure to progress/preform. Be in moment, have fun with your friends, and your love with naturally turn into progress.

Namita Nayyar:

As you look toward the future, do you see yourself staying in skiing (coaching, commentary, or course design) or are there other passions—perhaps in fashion, wellness, or education—that you are excited to explore?

Megan Oldham:

Skiing will always be a massive part of my life! I don’t know in what role yet, but I at least want to stay connected within the community after I am done competing and contribute in a way that continues to grow the sport. I am not putting any pressure on what that will look like, but excited to see what path will come to life.

Megan Oldham Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan.oldhamm/

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness

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