Every four years, the Winter Olympics pulls us in. We watch in awe as athletes defy gravity, break records, and push the limits of what the human body can do. But honestly? The moments that stay with me are not the gold medals.
They're the crashes.
Skiers tumbling down mountainsides. Speed skaters colliding on the ice. Figure skaters slipping mid-routine as the crowd holds its breath. In real time, we watch people fall -- and take their dreams down with them.
It's painful to witness. But I think those are the moments we can learn the most from. Not the fall itself -- but what happens next.
I kept thinking about how much these athletes' stories mirror what I see in my clients' financial journeys. The setbacks. The unexpected detours. And the incredible resilience that makes success possible.
Here are four lessons from the Games that I think every one of us can take to heart -- on and off the slopes.
1. Success Is Not About Getting It Right the First Time. It's About Getting It Right Over Time.
At the 1988 Olympics, speedskater Dan Jansen was expected to win gold. Then, on the day of his race, he got devastating news: his sister had passed away. He fell on the very first turn. No gold. No medal at all. He fell again in another event a few days later.
In 1992, he tried again. Still no gold.
Finally, in 1994 -- his last Olympics at age 29 -- Dan Jansen stood on the podium with a gold medal around his neck. In his arms was his daughter, Jane, named after his sister.
Here's what I know to be true about financial goals: we always picture the finish line, but rarely the road to get there. The wrong investments. The job loss. The life event that sets us back. Sometimes we even find ourselves chasing the wrong goal and only discover the right one much later.
That's okay. Success does not have to be immediate, and the path does not have to be straight. What matters is that you keep showing up. Every time you do, you're learning, growing, and getting closer -- even when it does not feel like it.
2. Sometimes, Our Falls Are Not as Bad as They Look.
At the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Austrian skier Hermann Maier flew off the course during the downhill event, landed on his head, somersaulted, and crashed through two layers of safety netting. It looked catastrophic.
Incredibly, Maier walked away -- and then went on to win gold in both the Super-G and Giant Slalom events.
Financial crashes can feel the same way. A market downturn. An unexpected expense that drains your savings. A financial decision that does not go the way you planned. In those moments, it's easy to believe the worst -- that things will always be this hard, that you will never recover, that the setback is permanent.
But most of the time, it's not as bad as it seems. Markets recover. Savings can be rebuilt. Credit can be restored. And even a poor financial decision can become a turning point -- because of what it teaches you next.
3. Every Setback Is an Opportunity to Learn.
At the 2018 Olympics in South Korea, figure skater Nathan Chen was the favorite to win gold. He fell on his very first jump -- and then made mistakes on every single jump that followed. He finished fifth.
Over the next four years, Chen did not beat himself up. He reflected. He reframed his mindset. He learned to enjoy the entire experience rather than fixating only on the result.
At the 2022 Olympics, he stood on the podium with a gold medal. When asked if he had overcome the struggles from 2018, he said the experience had been a helpful learning opportunity -- not a haunting one.
We can do this with our finances, too. After a bad investment. After working with the wrong advisor. After life throws something at us we did not see coming. Instead of letting those moments define us, we can let them teach us -- making us sharper, more resilient, and better prepared for what's ahead.
"We are all more resilient than we give ourselves credit for." I couldn't agree more.
4. The Greatest Achievement Is Having the Courage to Try.
This is the one that hits closest to home for me.
As a wealth advisor, I've had the privilege of walking alongside clients through all kinds of financial journeys -- early retirements, business milestones, dream vacations finally taken. And as wonderful as those moments are, what truly moves me is the beginning. That first conversation. That first step. When someone dares to dream and finds the courage to try -- even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Which brings me to Lindsey Vonn. After years of injuries, she retired in 2019. But in 2024, she made the bold decision to come back for one last shot at an Olympic medal. Then, just before the 2026 Games, she tore a ligament in her knee. She competed anyway.
She crashed during the downhill event. But here's what she said afterward -- and it stayed with me:
"While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, I have no regrets. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself. We take risks in life. We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes, we fall. But that is also the beauty of life: We can try. I tried. I dreamt. I jumped. The only failure in life is not trying."
I think about that whenever I sit down with someone who's nervous to start. Who feels like it's too late, or the goal is too big, or the uncertainty is too much.
It's not too late. The goal is not too big. And you do not have to figure it out alone.
A Note from Me to You
Whether you're just starting your financial journey or you've had a few falls along the way, I want you to know this: you're more resilient than you think. Every setback holds a lesson. Every stumble is a chance to grow.
May we all have the patience to trust our progress, the wisdom to learn from our mistakes, and the courage to get back up when we fall.
And if you're ready to take that next step -- whether you're planning for retirement, untangling your business and personal finances, or simply figuring out where to begin -- I'd love to be in your corner.
Let's go for the gold together.
This information was created to provide accurate and reliable information on the subjects covered but should not be regarded as a complete analysis of these subjects. It is not intended to provide specific legal, tax or other professional advice. The services of an appropriate professional should be sought regarding your individual situation.
Sheri Pan is a registered representative with and securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.