What's the Rusch Podcast: Fly Always | Kaya Turski + Rebecca Rusch

Описание: Fly Always: Kaya Turski on Identity, Surrender, and Starting Over

What if the bravest thing you can do isn’t pushing through pain, but learning to let go, ask for help, and rebuild from the inside out? On this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with Kaya Turski—8-time X Games gold medalist, world champion, and pioneer in women’s freestyle skiing—for a raw conversation about identity, surrender, and the courage to begin again.

Kaya’s story goes far beyond the podium. After a catastrophic crash at 18, years of chronic pain, and a career-ending decision before the 2018 Olympics, Kaya was forced to meet herself without the armor of sport. She shares how “Fly Always” -- her personal philosophy—became a guide for healing, honesty, and creating space for her whole self. Together, Rebecca and Kaya unpack the difference between chosen and unchosen pain, the invisible battles of chronic injury, and what it means to find purpose when your old identity no longer fits.

You’ll learn:
How Kaya rebuilt her life after sport through values work and self-compassion
The real meaning of “Fly Always”—and why creating space starts with honesty
How to navigate grief, loss, and the “unchosen” hard with courage
Why identity is more than what you do—and how to find your “why” beyond performance
Practical tools for mindfulness, micro-breaks, and nervous system resets
The power of reaching out, asking for help, and being present for others

This is a powerful look at what happens when the medals fade and the real work begins. Tune in for Kaya’s story of resilience, surrender, and the freedom that comes from flying on your own terms.

📺 READ MORE & FIND ALL SHOW NOTES: https://www.rebeccarusch.com/podcast/...

This episode is sponsored by ⁨@live.momentous⁩ Get 35% off your first order with the discount code RUSCH at livemomentous.com .

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Kaya Turski Introduction
2:15 From rollerblading to freestyle skiing: building a foundation
7:40 The crash, ICU, and being told to quit before it began
13:22 Fear, risk, and the myth of the “fearless” athlete
21:10 Chronic pain, invisible injuries, and the decision to retire
29:57 Grief, identity, and the moment of surrender
35:12 “Fly Always”—creating space and living your values
44:30 Healing, self-care, and the six-year chapter in Montreal
52:22 Vulnerability, asking for help, and supporting others
1:04:37 Mindfulness, micro-breaks, and nervous system resets
1:10:00 Closing reflections and what “flying” looks like now

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