Katie, 24
Katie Hensien (Credit: Katie Hensien)
“One of the most valuable lessons I learned [at ZGiRLS] was not to let the ‘uncontrollables’ control me.”
When Katie participated in ZGiRLS at age 13, the future Olympic skier was already balancing the pressures of competitive youth sports with the emotional ups and downs of adolescence.
Like so many her age, she faced moments of self-doubt and uncertainty—but Katie had an edge: ZGiRLS.
“ZGiRLS taught me how to handle the mental strain of being an athlete,” she shared with us. “It’s where I first learned about practicing positive self-talk. It was huge for me to gain that knowledge so young.”
Fast forward to 2022, and Katie was on top of the world.
By then she’d been named National Women’s Alpine Skier of the Year, won an NCAA National Championship title, and represented Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games!
Her momentum seemed unstoppable.
Katie representing Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. (Credit: Katie Hensien)
Then in 2023, life threw her a curveball: a devastating knee injury. The kind of setback that could sideline not just a career, but a lifelong dream.
“I tore my ACL, MCL, and meniscus. It was really hard—mentally, physically, emotionally,” she said.
Through it all, Katie leaned on lessons she learned a decade earlier with ZGiRLS—lessons that taught her how to reframe challenges and keep moving forward.
“I had to keep going back to what I learned back then: focus on what you can control. Each day, I’d find one small positive. Even if it was just saying, ‘Katie, you bent your knee one degree farther than yesterday,’ it reminded me to keep trusting the process.”
Her resilience paid off. On October 26, 2024, Katie delivered a remarkable comeback at the World Cup season opener in Sölden, Austria. After missing the entire 2023-24 season, she achieved a career-best fourth-place finish in the giant slalom!
Her performance was not only a personal triumph but also a historic moment for the U.S. women’s ski team, contributing to their best giant slalom result in over three decades.
Katie at the World Cup season opener in Sölden, Austria. (Credit: GEPA & Stifel U.S. Ski Team)
But for Katie, her success was about more than just standings—it was about knowing she had the mental strength to prevail.
Her story is proof of what happens when girls are equipped with confidence, encouragement, and community—the heart of what ZGiRLS offers.
“Being in an all-girls environment where it felt safe to share our struggles was incredible,” she reflected. “It showed me that I wasn’t alone—that we all face challenges, and we can support each other.”
Now 24-years-old, Katie has a powerful message for her teenage self:
“If I could talk to my 13-year-old self, I’d say, ‘Be proud of what you’ve achieved, no matter what the outcome is. The unknowns can be scary, but they’re also exciting.’”
BE A HERO FOR GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT.
As part of ZGiRLS’ A Decade of Confidence end-of-year giving campaign, we’re proud to share stories from program alumnae whose lives were changed because of supporters like you:
Mecca, a 1-year alum, unleashed her creative spark.
Lucie, a 5-year alum, reclaimed her self-worth.
Katie, a 10-year alum, built a mental resilience to match her physical talents.
These stories—spanning years and life stages—prove one thing: your gift makes a lasting impact.
You become a hero in their stories with every dollar donated, and the need has never been greater to support girls’ empowerment.
Join us in helping the next generation live with zero self-limitations.