# @nickbaumgartner on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DF6UeJ6vIfT
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/60041212-nickbaumgartner-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f341cc76e4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-02-11T00:09:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Nick Baumgartner (@nickbaumgartner) — https://gondola.cc/nickbaumgartner

## Caption

Three years ago today, I gave the hardest interview of my life, just after falling short in my individual event at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. In that moment, every raw emotion came pouring out.

The goal wasn’t to show the world I was a crybaby, but looking back, that interview remains one of my favorites. It was real. It was unfiltered. It was an honest look at what it feels like when an athlete dedicates their entire life to one goal, only to fall short. That could have been my last chance to achieve it, and the world got to see exactly what that meant to me.

I think it’s important for people, especially kids, to see a strong, masculine guy like me openly expressing emotion. Too often, we’re told to hold it in, but the truth is, competing at the highest level requires not just physical strength, but emotional vulnerability. Olympians train relentlessly, with no guarantees of a medal and often little to no financial reward. We do it for the love of our sport. We do it for the honor of representing our country, our families, and our communities.

We put everything on the line, our time, our bodies, our hearts. And in doing so, we risk not only success but also failure, on the biggest stage, in front of the entire world. But that’s what makes it so meaningful. That’s what makes it worth it.

To everyone who has supported me, whether you’ve been with me my whole career or started following my journey after that interview, thank you. Your messages, your encouragement, and your belief in me meant more than I can ever express. In one of my lowest moments, you lifted me up, and I’ll never forget that. ❤️❤️

#Olympic #olympicdreams #athlete #failure #vulnerability #dreambig #setbacks #adversity #usa #family #community #thankful #snowboarding #snowboardcross #oneyeartogo #roadtomilanocortina2026

## Stats

- **Views:** 8,068
- **Likes:** 1,361
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 100

## Tags

thankful, olympic, snowboardcross, athlete, adversity, usa, dreambig, roadtomilanocortina2026, snowboarding, oneyeartogo, vulnerability, failure, olympicdreams, setbacks, family, community

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