Eileen Gu says she sees herself and her mom as ‘cofounders’

Eileen Gu, a Youth Olympic skier, refers to herself and her mother as "cofounders" in their daily lives. In an interview at the Karim Family Foundation's Inspiring Women Leadership Series in Singapore, Gu explained that her mother's protective nature actually stemmed from her desire to give her daughter the freedom to make her own decisions.

From a young age, Gu's mother exposed her to a wide range of activities, including ballet, piano, archery, basketball, soccer, cross-country skiing, math and science camps, and singing lessons. This approach allowed Gu to explore various options and make informed choices as she grew older. Gu emphasized that her mother's parenting style was the opposite of the stereotypical "tiger mom," instead providing her with "vigorous freedom and agency."

Today, they share almost every aspect of their lives, including travel, living arrangements, work, and personal growth. Neither Gu nor her mother claims to have all the answers, and they continuously learn and adapt through their conversations, which involve respectful, critical, and productive dialogue.