Jeanee MoCrazy is carving out a powerful and unconventional path in sport and leadership. From making history in 2012 as the first and only woman to represent the United States in halfpipe skiing at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, to now pursuing a place at the 2026 Winter Olympics under the flag of Vanuatu, her journey reflects both athletic ambition and global purpose.
Her connection to Vanuatu goes far beyond sport. Through extensive time spent in the country, Jeanee has developed deep ties to its communities and culture. She’s actively engaged in climate advocacy, supporting initiatives aligned with the Green Climate Fund. Witnessing firsthand the effects of natural disasters, she draws inspiration from the resilience and optimism of Ni-Vanuatu people, helping amplify their efforts to combat climate change and reshape how challenges are perceived.
Beyond competition, Jeanee is also a co-founder of MoCrazy Strong, a nonprofit she launched with her sister, Jamie MoCrazy. The organization was born out of Jamie’s near-fatal traumatic brain injury and focuses on helping survivors and caregivers navigate life after trauma. Through education and community support, MoCrazy Strong encourages people to redefine recovery as a journey of “climbing alternative peaks.”
Her story blends elite sport, humanitarian work, and personal resilience. Reshaping what it means to lead both on and off the mountain.
GLAMOUR: You made history as the first and only woman to represent the United States in halfpipe skiing at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. What first inspired your passion for skiing and competitive sport?
Jeanee MoCrazy: Skiing has always been in my blood, my grandmother was a world cup ski racer in the 1940. She started a ski resort now called Ski Windom in New York state with my grandfather, her brother started one called Wild Cat in New Hampshire. I started skiing at 1 years old, so as long as I can remember I have skied. I grew up doing ski racing in New Hampshire, then followed my older sister Jamie into freestyle skiing. I was also a dancer and freestyle allowed me to bring my creative side out more.
GLAMOUR: Your time in Vanuatu has deepened your involvement in climate advocacy. How has living and traveling there shaped your perspective on environmental responsibility and resilience?
Jeanee: Vanuatu is such a special place. So many people and so much of the culture is living off of the land and living with the land. I believe that as humans we should be taught it is our privilege to take care of and protect the environment we need to survive. Many people in Vanuatu live the same way.
GLAMOUR: Vanuatu faces significant challenges from climate change and natural disasters, yet you’ve spoken about the optimism and courage of its people. What lessons about resilience and wellness have you learned from that community?
Jeanee: Being joyful is always better. Vanuatu communities show so much resilience, community connection and joy in life no matter what happens. This is a lesson we can all join together on.
GLAMOUR: Alongside your sister Jamie, you co-founded MoCrazy Strong after her traumatic brain injury. How did that experience shape your outlook on purpose, family, and advocacy?
Jeanee: I was just in Washington D.C. doing legislative work on the reauthorization of the TBI Act and creating other policies to support brain injury survivors and others living with disability. Without my sister's injury and our family recovery process, I probably would not find myself in the position to make legislative changes and help so many people.
GLAMOUR: Supporting a loved one through trauma can be an emotional journey. How did that experience impact your own understanding of strength and mental wellness?
Jeanee: It is extremely emotional, and Jamie's accident was only the first for our family. Following her accident, our other sister had a baby which I have helped to raise off and on his whole life. He is 9 now and he and his little sister were placed in my custody for a foster placement. My grandmother who was the matriarch of the family and a professional skier in the 1940s got cancer and passed away. My grandfather moved in with me and my mom for the last three years of his life from 96 to 99. My oldest sister got cancer and passed away 4 years ago on March 14th. Two of my beloved dogs passed away before their time.
All of this and my own personal injuries I work with every day in my mental health. I have now three separate times sealed the support of antidepressants. I have spoken with a few therapists.
I have found living by the mantra that two things can be true at the same time resonates with me.
I can have beautiful amazing experiences and also be grieving, and missing loved ones at the same time.
GLAMOUR: Through MoCrazy Strong, you work with TBI survivors and caregivers navigating life after trauma. What have these stories taught you about healing and human resilience?
Jeanee: I have had the privilege of learning a lot of individual and family stories. One thing is that I do believe humans given the hope and opportunity to recover will and that recovery isn't linear. There are crossovers and milestones to compare, but each path with so many variables that can make more differences than we can quantify make each journey completely unique.
GLAMOUR: As an athlete, explorer, and advocate, your life spans sport, travel, and activism. How do you maintain balance and wellness while managing such a dynamic lifestyle?
Jeanee: I do love what I do. I am very versatile so I need to have very different aspects of my life. From intellectual policy work, heartfelt MoCrazy Strong Brain Injury Foundation events, pushing my body physically. Within all of that I love new experiences and exploring, hence the dynamic life is where I am most fulfilled and happy.
GLAMOUR: Many people think of athletes purely in terms of physical performance, but mental strength is just as important. What practices or habits help you stay grounded and focused?
Jeanee: At the highest level of athletics we understand it is mostly mental. What separates an athlete with good potential and an athlete who is top of their field, is their mental ability. Working with mental performance coaches and therapies are really helpful, along with practicing mantras and ways to control your head. I found it helpful to create backup plans so if the worst case scenario happens I know I will be ok.
GLAMOUR: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue sport, travel the world, and create impact through their passions?
Jeanee: To go do it. There are actually no rules, you can be many things at once so don't let society put you into one box. Be all the things you want to be and don't let anyone tell you you can't.
GLAMOUR: For you personally, what does living a “well” and purposeful life look like today?
Jeanee: I recently got engaged and my partner brings so much love and support to my life. I am really excited to start a family and life together. I am doing a lot of care taking for my dad and household, and work with MoCrazy Strong. For me being well is doing activities I love with people I love.
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