GOAT! That’s a term Mikaela Shiffrin doesn’t like having said about her. It brings a flashback of the real animal. Also, she prefers the term ‘resetting records’ over ‘breaking records’. No one can take away her first-rate status as a downhill skier. She recently became the winningest female athlete in World Cup.

In a different world, Lebron James reigns supreme. He recently passed the all-time scoring record once held by Kareen Abdul-Jabbar. The GOAT label often comes up with James too. Interestingly, breaking the scoring record wasn’t something he thought possible or set out to do in the early days of his career.

While Shiffrin and James dazzle in different sports, they just crush it on the ski slopes and basketball hoops. The similarities stack-up based on how they’ve maintained longevity, are media savvy and bring a high sense for social consciousness. James is vocal on justice issues, Shiffrin on climate change.

Jabbar had kind words to say about James when his record was smashed. He reminded us that “when one person climbs higher than the last person, we all feel like we are capable of being more.” Lindsey Vonn might agree with those words since it was her winning record that Shiffrin passed to being on top.       

Shiffrin had a low period after the sudden loss of her dad from a head injury. Her focus went off-track as her passion was low grade. Even with James breaking the record, the Lakers haven’t been putting up enough points. So how do they keep their game at such a high level? What’s the secret to their longevity?

• Creativity:- As Shiffrin raises her level of preparation for upcoming events she finds ways to keep her performance on the up-and-up. Plus, creativity isn’t always flashy but it’s likely groovy.   
• Consistency:- For James to break the all-time scoring record, he had to be dropping points on a consistent basis. That might explain how he broke the record in one less season than Jabbar.   
• Reinvention:- James has changed NBA teams three times and with each team he’s won a championship. Beyond his physical condition, he’s also been about game reinvention.      
• Collaboration:- Shiffrin has teamed-up with other skiers on sounding the alarm about climate change. They feel the future of the sport rests on not having warm winters that cause snow melt.        

Shiffrin still has some fuel left in the tank. Many believe she’ll pass the all-time World Cup wins record held by a male skier. While her last Olympic appearance was a disappointment, she’s the only skier to have won in all six World Cup disciplines, according to the LA Times.

If not GOAT, then at least first-rate status is something they both can claim based on how they crush it. James is still running up and down the court like he’s got spring-chicken legs. Shiffrin is used to being on top of the mountain heading down. But renewed passion inspires us to rise from low grade to high-point.

Talkback: Could James be as good as Shiffrin on the slopes, or Shiffrin as good as James on the court?

Tip: ‘GOATS’ know how to ‘crush it’ with passion and maybe even go from low grade to high point.

Tracks: Tedashii Ft Lecrae – Get Out My Way – https://youtu.be/ZBshbsz1nGg

Archie Eversole Ft ‘Chiefs’ Playoff Hype – We Ready – https://youtu.be/Lzuc2fiwIOk