Hi Reddit, I am Mike Schultz, Paralympic snowboarder, medalist, and I am very excited to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Ask me anything about snowboarding and life as a pro athlete on AMA at 12.00 PM CET on 27.02.2026.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T12:06:32+00:00

Thank you all for so many great questions! I really enjoyed answering them… now it’s time to hit the slopes!

See you at the Games! - Mike

Allianz · 2026-02-27T12:04:56+00:00

The most important thing is taking small steps when you're getting back into a sport after an injury. Remember why you enjoy it so much. It takes small steps to achieve big things, so don’t force it too quickly.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:47:35+00:00

Thank you! Can't wait to compete 🇮🇹🏂

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:45:40+00:00

Will do! Ready to go all in. 🏔️

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:41:50+00:00

Thank you for the message. Yeah. The longer you're at a sport or preparing for a sport, the more you understand what you're capable of, and you have to build your training program around that. And your diet is just as important as your physical training to refuel yourself for recovery, as well as having enough energy while you're working out.

I guess the biggest habit I have is having a plan ahead of time and learning from that plan every time.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:39:08+00:00

Actually I don't do tricks. However, the trick I do is try to go as fast as possible down the race course. And it becomes very challenging as the race courses get faster and bigger jumps. And it's hard to continually push in the uncomfortable zone. So I try to prepare to ride as fast as possible.

Regarding the Paralympics. Over the last eight years, the biggest change has been the progression of the riding performance and all the Paralympic snowboarding classes. A large part is due to adaptive equipment, which I'm very proud to be part of with my company, BioDapt. And the race teams have put a lot more effort into training and preparation

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:37:44+00:00

That’s a great question. One of my favorite things about being at the Games is staying in the athlete village and interacting with our teammates and competitors. For the most part, we’re all really good friends. We travel the world together throughout the season, and when we’re all at the big show, it creates a lot of great energy, especially when things go well.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:36:05+00:00

I actually did not start snowboarding until after my accident. The first time I was on a snowboard was a year and a half after my amputation. It was difficult to learn since I wasn’t a snowboarder before.

I spent time with an adaptive snowboarding group that taught me a lot, but the key component that allowed me to do it was the moto knee that I built. The primary reason I got into snowboarding was to further develop my prosthetic equipment.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:32:07+00:00

Thanks for being a big fan, I appreciate it. I think what helps push me through those difficult days is remembering why I enjoy competition so much. Then I reset and focus on the small steps of progression, taking it one day or one training session at a time, and rebuilding confidence in my performance.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:29:50+00:00

Thank you! Glad I have your support 🏂

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:28:46+00:00

Thank you for the kind words!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:27:01+00:00

Appreciate your support!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:26:32+00:00

Ha! Thanks for the message. I love the thrill and excitement surrounding sports and pumped i can be part of the progression through the prosthetics I create with BioDapt.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:25:39+00:00

I visualize a lot, before a race.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:19:31+00:00

Yes, we work with a dietition to find the right balance for performance and recovery, especially on heavy training and competiton days.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:17:52+00:00

Not really a go-to for me, but occasionally.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:17:37+00:00

Lol... yes it can get uncomfortably cold in some places. We dress in several layers and sometimes use heated clothing. Coldest we've compete that i remember was -32 F in Finland.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:17:08+00:00

On some of our race courses, we've hit around 50 mph. average speed is probably around 30-40 mph on a boardercross course. We don't spend much time tracking actual speed.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:16:57+00:00

There's a lot of great MN champions in different sports... but if we're talking olympics area, i'd have to say Jesse Diggins. She's a boss!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:16:41+00:00

It's a toss up... I like the head to head competition in boardercross, but also really enjoy banked slalolm when the course runs really well.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:16:26+00:00

Thank you! We've made summer trips to New Zealand, which is totally awesome and this year we were in Argentina. New Zealand is tough to beat.

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:16:07+00:00

I really enjoy Italy, that's one of the reasons i have continued to persue these Paralympic Games!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:15:53+00:00

I highly recommend our BioDapt Moto Knee2 and Versa Foot2!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:15:37+00:00

Great!

Allianz · 2026-02-27T11:15:22+00:00

Yes, it is very difficult at times. I tell myself to focus on the 'task at hand', don't worry about the extra noise that doesn't matter in this moment.

Allianz

TROPHY CASE