Mackenzie Blizzard, a 16-year-old alpine ski racer, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to giving back, founding Attack from the Back, a ski shop and online business that donates all profits to charities supporting youth education and access to sport. Her story is one of adapting to significant health challenges and finding new avenues for competition and purpose.
A Childhood Interrupted
Before her current focus on skiing, Blizzard excelled in competitive swimming, winning eight of ten events at the Middle Atlantic Championships at La Salle University. Her success led to an opportunity to train with Michael Phelps’ coach in Baltimore, and she openly discussed her Olympic aspirations. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she suffered what appeared to be a stroke at the conclusion of a swim meet.
Following the incident, Blizzard underwent months of neurological testing and hospital visits. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with 11 inoperable brain tumors and mitochondrial disease. The diagnosis dramatically altered her life, leading to frequent strokes, episodes of paralysis, chronic pain, and extended hospital stays.
Adapting to a New Normal
Despite the challenges, Blizzard focused on adapting to her condition. A service dog named Simba was trained to alert her to oncoming strokes, enabling her to remain engaged in school and daily life. She found ways to stay connected and active through photography, crafts, and limited physical activity as permitted by her doctors. Medication helped reduce the frequency of her strokes, and by age 10, doctors cautiously approved limited physical activity.
A New Beginning on Snow
Skiing, previously a brief annual activity, became a central part of Blizzard’s life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning allowed her family to spend an entire season at Mount Snow in Vermont. She enrolled in lessons three days a week and completed her schoolwork in the evenings. Under the guidance of former World Cup alpine racer Sally White, her progress accelerated, and White began incorporating racing fundamentals into her instruction.
Despite initial hesitation from her parents, Blizzard expressed a desire to compete. After consulting with her neurologist, who supported the idea, her parents agreed. She traveled to Burke Mountain Academy to meet Olympic gold medalist and junior program director Diann Roffe and participated in two races at Mount Snow, finishing 10th in her first giant slalom.
Learning to Compete Again
Blizzard applied to Burke Mountain Academy’s U14 program and was accepted. Her first season involved long days and a steep learning curve, but she demonstrated steady improvement, earning a silver medal at the Eastern Finals. Currently a freshman at Proctor Academy, she is preparing for her U16 alpine season.
Those close to Blizzard acknowledge the ongoing physical challenges – chronic pain, headaches, and slow muscle recovery – but emphasize her unwavering determination. “To be competitive, she has to work harder than everyone else,” they say, “And she does.”
Turning Purpose Into Action
Blizzard’s experiences led to the creation of Attack from the Back, inspired by the ski racing concept of athletes starting from a disadvantaged position and delivering strong performances. The shop, based in New London, New Hampshire, and supported by an online presence, donates all profits to organizations that help young people access education and snow sports.
“My health challenges changed how I view life,” Blizzard said. “They taught me not to take time, opportunity or my body for granted. Building this business became a way to turn struggle into strength.”
Recognition and Momentum
Ian Harvey, U.S. Brand manager for Toko at Brav USA, has become a strong advocate for Blizzard and her mission. He noted the inspirational nature of a competitor overcoming obstacles, stating, “When you realize how inspirational It’s when a skier with a high start number attacks the course despite all the ruts and still does really well? That’s exactly what Mackenzie represents.” He added, “I can only say that I am grateful that rock stars like Mackenzie Blizzard exist for us normal folk to see what living to one’s potential really looks like.”
As of , Blizzard continues to redefine impact within the ski community through generosity, perspective, and purpose. Her story highlights that powerful achievements often originate not from the front, but from overcoming adversity.
