2010 Winter Olympian Shannon Bahrke’s Hawaiian Wedding

Some would consider American freestyle mogul skier Shannon Bahrke a veteran in her sport.  A member of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team since 1998, the 29 year old bride-to-be has an impressive list of accomplishments – including a silver medal from the 2002 Winter Olympics.

As with all athletes determined to make it to the top, Shannon’s accomplishments have not come without setbacks.  Severe knee injuries and broken jaws would stop most mortals from continuing the pursuit of their sport, but not Shannon.  Perhaps she gets her strength from hidden super-powers in her highlighted pink hair.   But more likely it’s her dedication and uber-positive attitude that has her back on the slopes competing for 2010 Winter Olympic gold.

Shannon talks to Bombshell Bride about overcoming the odds, dealing with stress and her Hawaiian wedding plans with fiancé Matt Happe (pronounced happy).

Bombshell Bride: You’ve had some crazy injuries – busted knees, broken jaws, and I’m sure a lot of minor pulls and sparins. What drove you to get back onto your skis after all of that?

Shannon Bahrke:  I think my drive to come back is just in my nature.  I absolutely love what I do and I want to be the best in the world.  Every athlete has setbacks and that is just what you have to deal with.  It seems like it was harder to come back each time but so much more rewarding.  As I stand here today, I’ve had such a roller coaster career of 12 years, and I couldn’t imagine it any differently, I have learned so much and I am thankful for all of it.

You won a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics. What have you learned in the last 8 years that has made you a better competitor?

I think the biggest thing I have learned is to really listen to my body.  When it aches and hurts, maybe it is time to take a break and get a massage.  But when it feels great, I know when I can push it.  I lift weights in the summer a lot differently because I know what my body really likes and what it doesn’t.  We are all so different as we need to do what works for each of us.  I think knowing my body better has made me a tougher and smarter competitor!

Traveling on the circuit with the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, training for the 2010 Olympics and now planning a wedding is a lot to put on your plate. What do you do to chill out and relieve stress?

There are a lot of things I love to do to relax.  I love to go for walks or hikes, just listen to my Ipod, and enjoy nature.  I try to go for at least 1 walk a day.  I do yoga a lot too.  When I’m on the road I bring a DVD to do and when I’m home I go to Centered City Yoga, it’s a time when I can just be by myself and focus inward.  I love to read, I have a Kindle and it has saved my life on the road!  I also love to take baths.  There is nothing better than just soaking in the tub with a good book/Kindle!  Being with my friends and family is also a good relaxing time for me.  We laugh and have a good time and I just cherish the time we can all be together.

[Try this Yoga Workout for Wedding Weight Loss by NYC Yoga Instructor Sadie Nardini]

If you win a medal in the 2010 Freestyle Moguls, are you planning on doing anything crazy? Dye your hair orange? Have any friendly bets with any of your team mates?

If I win a medal in 2010 my life will get crazy in general.  My fiancé Matt and I own a coffee company, Silver Bean Coffee Co., and so I think we would have to start a new line of coffee!!  Besides that I think the first thing I would do is go on a crazy shopping spree.  I have the worst clothes right now and I would just LOVE to actually update my wardrobe.  I think I would also use some of the money to get some more diamonds on my wedding band!  My pink hair is staying, no new colors, but who knows maybe my Dad will dye his hair pink!!

[View Shannon's favorite ab exercises]

What unique things do you have planned for your wedding?
Matt and I are getting married on 10-10-10 in Kauai, Hawaii.  We have so many friends all over the country and world so this is going to be a time for all of us to be together.  I really want to go hiking all over the island and go on a kick ass helicopter tour of all of the waterfalls.  I think in general we are very non-traditional so we don’t want to have a “normal” wedding.  I really want people to have a fruity and colorful cocktail when we walk down the aisle.  I don’t want white shoes so I’m looking for some really funky high heels.  I am up for anything so I want to work with our planners to have something out of the ordinary that everyone will remember for ever!!

Watch Shannon Bahrke Saturday, February 13th as she competes in the Freestyle Skiing Moguls at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Update: Shannon Bahrke wins bronze medal in Freestyle Mogul Skiing. She joined her USA teammate Hannah Kearney, who won gold, on the medal podium.

Photo: Harry How