Lindsey Vonn Reflects on Guilt She Felt Over Mother's Stroke: It's 'Hard for Me to Process' (Exclusive)

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The Olympic medalist is reflecting on the impact her late mother had on her success on the slopes

Lindsey Vonn is looking back on the impact her late mother had on her success as a skier.

During an appearance on an upcoming episode of Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone, which debuts March 3 on HSN+, the Olympic medalist reflects on the guilt she has always felt related to her mother Lindy Lund’s health.

“My mom had a stroke when she had me and she was permanently disabled,” Vonn, 39, tells Stone. “And she couldn’t run, she couldn’t ever ski with me, she couldn’t ride a bike, and so in my mind, I’m sitting here thinking I’m doing what I love to do.”

She continues, “My mother can’t, so why should I sit here and be Debbie Downer? I need to get my a-- back in the gym and back to the slopes and continue to do what I love to do and utilize that opportunity I’ve been given.”

Related: Lindsey Vonn's Mother, Lindy Lund, Dies One Year After ALS Diagnosis: 'So Grateful for Every Moment'

Neilson Barnard/Getty for P&G Thank You, Mom
Neilson Barnard/Getty for P&G Thank You, Mom

Vonn says that she has always viewed her mother — who was an “amazing athlete” before suffering the stroke — as an inspiration and that she has an “obligation” to achieve her best.

“It is something that is hard for me to process because I always felt really guilty,” Vonn tells the chef and TV personality when asked how her mother's health drove the athlete. “My mom — having me, hurt my mother and so that was a really hard thing for me to take on and I always felt guilty.”

She continues, “It’s hard that she’s not here. It’s still something I feel so guilty about, but I think it drove me and it helped me and she wouldn’t want it any other way.” 

Related: Lindsey Vonn Grateful for Support After Her Mother's Death: 'Love You Always Mom'

Lund died in August 2022, one year after being diagnosed with ALS.

Amid her battle with the disease, Vonn penned an emotional tribute to her mother and her fight, one month before she died.

"Since having a stroke while giving birth to me, my Mom has been the picture of strength and more specifically, resilience," the four-time Olympic skier wrote alongside a gallery of pictures of herself and Lund.

Vonn added, "She has always given me the will to keep fighting back whenever I had an injury or obstacle in skiing and in life. Now she is exuding that resilience more than ever before."

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In addition to talking about her mom, Vonn recounts the peaks, valleys and highlights of her career, from winning Olympic gold to undergoing knee surgeries. Plus, the two head into the kitchen to make one of the skier's favorite foods.

New episodes of Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone air Sundays on HSN+ and QVC+.

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Read the original article on People.