Like millions of other Americans during Olympic seasons, I’ve been trying to watch as many events as I possibly can. Of course the common, very popular sports are ice skating, snowboarding, hockey, and so on, but I kind of stumbled upon a sport I forgot existed.

Cross-country skiing is very popular, but I never imagined myself sitting down and actually watching it intently. During this Winter Olympics, though, I did. I am so thankful that I did because I just found a new role model.

It just happened to be background television as I was doing homework, but as I watched, I became extremely and probably over involved. In between the short races, the commentator showed the clip of one of the American Olympians female skiers that was racing in the next race.

In that clip, a bubbly and energetic blonde haired woman was on the screen talking about her career and about how she had choreographed a funny dance for her and her team to do to bond as a team. Her name is Jessie Diggins and she is the role model I didn’t know I needed in my life.

Apart from being energetic and bubbly, Jessie Diggins has the drive and inspiration that should become a norm for everyone. In her interview she talked about something that has become her recognizable feature to all in the sport of cross-country skiing. Glitter.

Diggins’ trademark glitter on her cheeks stands out in comparison to her opponents when she skis, but the meaning is something everyone should hold on to. She stated in the clip I saw that she puts on the glitter to remind her of the dreams she had when she was a little girl. To her now, the glitter she wears doubles as a reminder and a goal to ski towards.

We all need our own glitter. We all need our own reminder of the great things we have always wanted to do or dreamed of doing. We need that little simple thing to push us and make us realize that all the hard work we go through is towards a greater goal, our dream.

So thank you, Jessie Diggins, for sharing that beautiful reminder of how much we could do and our unlimitless potential. Thank you for sharing your unbelievably kind love. Thank you for encouraging everyone, especially girls and women, to give their dream everything they got. Thank you for spreading joy and happiness whenever you can. Thank you for being the role model I never knew that I needed until now.