Reality TV pushed USA’s Erin Jackson out of comfort zone and into Olympic title defense

Guardian Sport

by Andrew Lawrence

February 14, 2026

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Erin Jackson, the US flag bearer and the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal, has taken an unconventional path to prepare for her upcoming 500m speed skating final. Beyond her rigorous athletic training, she turned to reality TV’s *Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test* in fall 2023 to confront her fears and push herself out of her comfort zone. The experience forced her to face mental and physical challenges far removed from the ice, including being submerged in icy water, holding her breath for 15 seconds, and escaping a mock helicopter crash. This journey highlights how Jackson is using lessons from elite military training to strengthen her resilience ahead of her Olympic title defense. Jackson’s participation on *Special Forces* was less about outshining her fellow athletes—such as former NFL star Dez Bryant and Olympic skier Bode Miller—and more about personal growth. She openly discussed her struggles with anxiety, particularly around swimming, which she had avoided since childhood. The grueling challenges on the show were designed to mimic the extreme conditions faced by Special

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/14/2026