From Olympic champion to Team GB leader, Eve Muirhead talks to Women’s Fitness about wellbeing, balance and why looking after yourself is never selfish
Words: Donna Richardson
When Eve Muirhead talks about resilience, she’s not speaking in clichés. She’s lived it through four Olympic cycles as an athlete, multiple injuries, the pressure of expectation and managing elite sport with coeliac disease. Now, at her fifth Olympic Games, she’s got a gold and bronze medal and returned with a new title: Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
‘We are ready for the Games,’ she says, calmly and confidently, with the authority of someone who understands exactly what athletes are facing. ‘I’m hoping to see every sport if I can, and it will take a lot of travel, given the way these Games are organised across all the territories and over 22,000km.’
For Eve, resilience isn’t about pushing harder at all costs. It’s about balance – physically, mentally and emotionally.
New role, same mindset
The Olympic Village is already buzzing when we speak, on the eve of the competition.
‘Athletes are finding their feet, mixing across sports – bobsleigh, skeleton, skating, curling and skiing – and that energy really matters,’ she says.
At the centre of it all is Team GB’s headquarters, deliberately designed as a space where athletes can decompress.
‘It’s somewhere people can switch off – tea, coffee, games, snacks. It’s about one Team GB. Seeing athletes from different sports interact creates such a positive atmosphere.’
As Chef de Mission, Eve leads and supports the entire delegation – a role that demands constant awareness.
‘Big environments can escalate quickly, so it’s about flagging things early. Building strong relationships with team leaders across sports is crucial.’
It’s a very different challenge from competing on the ice, but one she thrives on.
‘I’m absolutely loving it. Knowing what athletes need, because I’ve been there, makes a huge difference.’
Why wellbeing comes first for Eve Muirhead
Despite the intensity of the Games, Eve is unwavering on one message: self-care is non-negotiable.
‘It’s not selfish to take an hour for yourself,’ she says. ‘Sleep, recovery, downtime – they all matter. This is a fast-moving environment, and if you don’t look after yourself, it catches up with you.’
Nutrition is another cornerstone – particularly personal for Eve after being diagnosed with coeliac disease during her career.
‘The village food is really good – wholesome, nutritious, lots of variety. It’s designed to support performance, not just fuel it.’
Staying active outside her official duties is also key. ‘For me, keeping up physical activity in the gym helps me stay grounded. It clears my head.’
Managing pressure without burning out
With competition about to begin, nerves are inevitable – and normal. ‘You can feel the tension build. But the hard work has been done,’ says Eve. ‘Now it’s about trusting that preparation.’
That mindset, she says, comes from experience, especially in curling, where margins are razor-thin. ‘In curling, everything can come down to millimetres. You learn quickly that you can’t control everything – only how you respond.”
Her focus isn’t medals at all costs. ‘I want athletes to leave knowing they did everything they could. If you perform at your best and have a great experience, that’s success.’
Women in sport are thriving
Eve is visibly energised when talking about the current generation of female athletes.
‘Women in sport are strong right now,’ she says. ‘Across winter sport and beyond – the Lionesses, the Red Roses – there’s real momentum.’
She highlights rising stars like Charlotte Bankes, Zoe Atkin, Kirsty Muir, and figure skaters Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson, who recently claimed World Cup bronze.
‘There’s a pathway now, and that matters. No one competes forever – so building what comes next is essential.’
After retiring, Eve spent time coaching – something she found deeply fulfilling. ‘Passing on experience to the next generation was something I loved. I learned so much working with younger athletes.’
Redefining resilience
Ask Eve what resilience really means, and she doesn’t hesitate. ‘I’ve lost more curling games than I’ve won,’ she says. ‘What matters is learning from defeat.’
‘As an athlete, you need to make a lot of sacrifices, and there’s obviously loads of decisions along the way that you have to make, whether it is going out with your friends or missing parties – you name it, it’s your choice to do it. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work and effort, but when you put in the hours, and you see the results, it’s rewarding that’s for sure.
‘They say resilience is the path to success, and I think I have lost more curling games than I have won,’ she adds. ‘But it’s how you deal with the defeats – and most importantly learn from them – that matters…If you can take something from a loss and apply it going forward, that’s where growth comes from.’
That perspective is now central to how Eve leads. ‘A winning mindset isn’t about never failing. It’s about how you respond, reset and move on.’
Life beyond the Games for Eve Muirhead
When the Olympics are over, Eve plans to do what she encourages others to do – slow down.
‘I’ll take some time off,’ she says. ‘I’ve qualified for the HYROX World Championships in Stockholm in June, so that’s something to look forward to.’
Marathons, however, are firmly in the past. ‘One and done,’ she laughs.
As Team GB prepares to compete, Eve’s message is clear – to athletes, and to women everywhere. ‘Dedication and sacrifice are part of sport, but so is balance. When you put the work in and look after yourself, the rewards follow.’ And that, perhaps, is her greatest legacy.
