The word ‘inspiring’ almost doesn’t cut it for Lydia Lassila. As a talented teen gymnast with Olympic dreams, she realised at 17 she wasn’t good enough to keep going. Her next pivot was a game-changer: she joined a program that leveraged her acrobatic skills on the slopes. Several gruelling years of training later, she emerged as an Olympic-medal-winning, aerial-skiing legend. But her switch to small business owner – of specialised icepack company BodyIce and sustainable yoga gear brand Zone – may just be the most challenging and satisfying yet.
What’s your money story?
I grew up in a normal working-class family. My dad ran his own building business and while money wasn’t scarce, it also wasn’t crazy abundant. My parents were very careful. They were both immigrants who really started their life in Australia with nothing. So, the value of working hard was driven home.
How has that influenced you?
My dad worked hard, but he always stopped and made time for us on holidays. That’s so hard to do, but I try to make sure that while I work hard, there’s respite, too.
How does running a small business compare to life as an athlete?
In my sporting life, I left zero to chance. In business, I’ve learnt to be a bit more flexible because it can be very stressful at times. There are stock issues and supplier delays and products to develop but I love the challenge. For me, I ask myself: where do I want to be in six months? And then I plot what needs to happen to get there.
