Shaun White.Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty
Shaun Whiteis feeling good.
“This might be the best he’s felt in years,” Lee tells PEOPLE from Beijing, where she’s supporting White in his final outing. “He’s like, ‘I feel good … should I do more?’ "
She adds, “It’s just exciting that he can be facing retirement and still be feeling awesome.”
“I think what sets true champions apart. The mentality,” she says of White’s celebratory cry. Lee understands the mental strength it takes to be a champion — she was the personal physical therapist to tennis greatsVenusandSerena Williamsfor several years and traveled with them full-time.
Lee stresses the importance of rest and recovery, both mentally and physically, for every athlete she works with, butespeciallywith White. His recovery begins as soon as he steps off the mountain and includes nightly ice baths and plenty of rest.
RELATED VIDEO: Shaun White Opens Up About His Goals for Beijing & Finding Love With Nina Dobrev: “She’s Been A Lifesaver”
“We did a long treatment yesterday after he rode,” Leeshares after his qualifying run, “and my approach is just to go through the whole body and make sure that there’s not too much tension building up because when they’re out there competing, there’s such a high demand on your body. And my goal is to prevent any injuries from happening. And some things you can’t prevent.”
She explains that most people believe being a healthy athlete is just “working out and being strong and pushing yourself and sweating and but that is always half the battle.”
“The other half is recovery and care and maintenance for your body,” says Lee. “And I think that’s still something people don’t fully understand, and that’s where the role of a physical therapist is really key to your overall health.”
A 14-centimeter neuroendocrine tumor was found on Lee’s pancreas, the discovery following some fatigue and upending her world. She’s since been “through the wringer,” undergoing surgeries and treatment (which, she says, she’s currently on an “intermission” from, just in time to accompany White).
Right after her diagnosis, Lee says, the support came rolling in. She explains, “The biggest thing that really stuck out is the amount of love and support I got immediately from family and friends, and every single one of my clients.”
In October,former client Serenaposted an emotional video, tearfully imploring fans to donate to Esther’s fundraiser for the Los Angeles Cancer Challenge 5K. And White, too, has been supportive: “he’s been there for me to listen, and to really encourage me and to cry with me about the heaviness.”
Lee occasionally needs wheelchair assistance at airports while on the road to snowboarding competitions and says that White will often carry her luggage or slow down to walk beside her so they can continue their “heart to heart conversations about life.”
“We’ve both just been crybabies,” Lee says, “but such happy tears and just full of just gratitude for where we’re both at, and the opportunity for us to share this together.”
The transition from a provider to someone who needs to be provided for sometimes, Lee admits is challenging. Still, she sees the highlights as she faces down more treatment: “I mean, it’s such a blessing to learn that side of life.”
And as for what’s next for White, Lee sees the future as wide open. Despite White’s senior status in the snowboarding world, she notes that “35 is still very young.”
“He’s super excited and I’m super excited for him,” Lee says. “And honestly, who knows what it’s gonna be like, after — we’ve never been in this situation before, where he’s done. I think it’s definitely overwhelming with emotions. Just happiness, sadness, excitement, full of just being so proud of what he’s done in his career and what he’s done for his fellow athletes.”
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, now, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
