Martina Müller I Resurgence

Martina Müller's story: When passion falters - and new strength awakens

Everything changed on April 14, 2023. Swiss freeskier Martina Müller was swept away by an avalanche and hurled over a rock face. The day that began with a trip into the snow-covered mountains ended with a helicopter flight to hospital - and a diagnosis that was hard to believe, even for a professional athlete:

Multiple vertebral fractures (Th4-Th8), several broken ribs, an injured sternum and a concussion. She has hardly any memories of the first two days after the accident.

"I couldn't feel my legs and all I knew was: this is going to take a long time," she later wrote.

It was her third serious injury in a row. And yet, this time it wasn't a matter of weeks of rehabilitation - but a whole year. It was about relearning movements, enduring nerve pain. About patience, humility - and about getting to know herself again.

X-ray of the spine with surgical screws for stabilization.

A person in a hospital beside an X-ray with screws in the spine and a friend in a wheelchair.

X-ray of spine surgery, beverage nearby, relaxed setting.

A film about vulnerability, trust - and the quiet rediscovery of a great love.

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate wears a red cap

This project does not show a heroine. Rather, a woman who doubts - and carries on anyway.
Who lets go of what was and creates space for something new.
Who wants to inspire others to take a closer look. To feel. To trust.

Not in the perfect plan. But in our own voice. In what drives us - even when everything speaks against it.

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate stands on a snow-covered hill in the mountains.

"Hopefully I can inspire others with my story - to understand that you can do anything. Not immediately. But step by step."

Martina Müller

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate carries her skis on her shoulders as she climbs a mountain in winter for freeriding.

The freeride athlete of El Tony Mate is on a ski tour in the background you can see high mountains with lots of snow

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate is wearing a red cap and carrying an avalanche rucksack, she is on a ski tour

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate is standing on a slope with her touring skis, the sky has clouds and is coloured red by the evening sun

Trust is not a feeling. It's a decision.

Martina's way back does not begin on skis, but with a breath. With the first step through pain. With the realization that her body may never be the same again - but the inner flame continues to burn.

"I knew it would take time. But I also knew that I wouldn't give up."

What follows is not a comeback with applause. It is a silent movement. A struggle with fear. With memories of past accidents. With the uncertainty of whether it will ever be easy again.

A person lies on a bed with screws and a bandage on their back.

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate holds her screws from her back in her hand.

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate is lying sideways in bed. She symbolically holds the screws on her back that support her spine.

And yet: she's back on top. She is riding. She feels again what she has missed for so long - focus, adrenaline, the tingling in her stomach. Not because she is no longer afraid. But because she trusts it.

The freeride athlete from El Tony Mate symbolically holds her screws on her back, which support her spine.

Have you ever seen goats in Airolo?

That super light crispy snow, just after a proper snowfall with no wind at just the right temperature. So fluffy you're afraid to touch it, because it might crumble. This was that type of snow. And Martina was no where near afraid to touch it.
Video: Harald Edlund