teve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images By Larry Stansbury ·Updated February 23, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

For Erin Jackson, preparation isn’t just about what happens on the ice. It’s about intention and finding joy. As the Winter Olympics come to a close, Jackson knows a thing or two about pressure.

“Happiness is the real gold,” Jackson—who also recently starred in joy-inducing Hershey’s Olympic campaign, which aligns with this outlook—tells ESSENCE. “I’ve found joy in skating ever since I was a kid. I feel like that’s a super important thing to emphasize because that is why I do my sport, it makes me happy.” 

Ironically, the Olympic competitor doesn’t really consider herself an athlete. Instead, “I’ve always considered myself a skater,” she says. Long before medals and the spotlight, Jackson was an ordinary kid skating up and down her driveway in plastic skates, eventually transitioning to inline speed skating at age 10. Iceskating didn’t come until she was 24. 

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Erin Jackson of Team United States waves to spectators during the Speed Skating Women’s 1000m on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

So, what inspired her leap from inline to ice? Watching teammates like Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia. Then, she competed at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, and it was there that ice skating planted the seed. “Seeing people I knew do it made me think, ‘Maybe I could be out there someday, too,’” says Jackson. That possibility, paired with mentorship and community, helped propel her forward.

These days, Jackson’s schedule is anything but casual. On a typical training day, the Olympian starts early, with time carved out for warm-ups and treatment before hitting the ice around 9 AM—always, of course, making time for cooldowns and recovery. Then in the afternoons, she has weight training sessions, bike rides, or dry-land training that mimics skating movements off the ice. Legs and glutes are her main focuses, and everything is designed to fine-tune power, balance, and endurance.

But elite performance doesn’t happen without care. Jackson keeps her beauty and wellness routine ahead of practice refreshingly simple. As for what you’ll find in her training day bag? “A lot of lotion,” says Jackson. “Being in cold and dry environments, it’s a must.” Olay moisturizer and sunscreen is a go-to, and lip balm is another essential. “Anyone I can find,” she says. “I’m from Florida, so living in a cold, dry climate means I always need it.” She also loves having Hershey’s Chocolate bar and protein drink in her bag. The Olympian notes that Vaseline helps to slide feet into tightly molded skating boots, which are custom-fit and notoriously unforgiving.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: A detailed view of the suit and skates of Erin Jackson of Team United States as she prepares for the Speed Skating Women’s 500m on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on February 15, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Competition days don’t call for anything dramatically different, just extra attention to areas like her ankles, which can get dry and irritated from constant friction inside her boots. It’s a reminder that your body is an instrument, so you have to take care of it.

As for Jackson’s proudest career moment? Winning the Olympic gold in 2022. “Standing on the podium, looking out and seeing my teammates—it was so many emotions,” she says. “It felt like a fairytale ending to a season.” Still, the Olympian understands that success is a journey, and you don’t stay grounded. There’s always another goal on the horizon.

That’s where wellness truly comes in. For Jackson, recovery is non-negotiable. “People overlook sleep,” she says. “But your sleep habits and personal hygiene are real. There’s a reason.” Even in her recovery routine, she also shares that that’s like foam rolling, mobility work, and working with medical staff can help you stay diligent about listening to your body, especially as she manages injuries and longevity in ice skating.

As Erin Jackson laces up for what’s next, she’s chasing excellence—and finding her balance along the way.

TOPICS:  Black athletes Erin Jackson Olympics Olympics 2026

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Author: Akili King

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