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Shaun White Celebrates The Launch of JAY3LLE.com in NYC, May 13 2026
Credit: David X Prutting/BFA.com/Shutterstock
NEED TO KNOW
- Shaun White is focusing on philanthropy, including supporting the Boys & Girls Club, St. Jude’s and Make-A-Wish Foundation
- He co-founded Whitespace, a snowboarding gear company, and mentors young athletes through sponsorships and travel support
- White reflects on his career shift, embracing collaboration and giving back as he approaches his 40th birthday
For the past 30 years, legendary snowboarder Shaun White admits his life was mostly about his own career: training, riding, skating, and even more training in order to secure those three Olympic golds.
“For the longest time it was about me,” White, 39, tells PEOPLE. “Like, how can I win this contest? How can I get this new sponsor? How do I make a mark in the sport and in the industry, and all these things. And I got good at that sort of mindset. But now, I’m in this really beautiful place of like, ‘How can I work with others, and how do we do things together?’”
These days, White is happily retired from being a professional athlete and entering a whole new chapter. He’s growing a business (the snowboarding brand Whitespace), supporting up-and-coming snowboarders and focusing on giving back — and encouraging others to do the same — as part of America Gives, in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
“I obviously love supporting [various charities] as much as I can,” White says about getting involved in the initiative. “I want to get people excited about giving back, and just celebrate the U.S. turning 250, encourage people to get involved in their local communities.”
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Shaun White attends the Shaun White X Ralph Lauren Winter Olympics Marquee Event at Macy’s Herald Square on January 24, 2026 in New York City.
Credit: Slaven Vlasic/Getty
He says his own favorite charity is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for personal reasons.
“I haven’t talked about it a ton, but I was a Boys & Girls Club kid when I was growing up,” he says.
“My dad would wake up super early and go to work and then my mom would go to work more in the afternoon, so there was this gap period where no one was home. And that was my trouble window. So I had to attend the Boys & Girls Club. At first, I didn’t want to go, but then I did and it was so great. I learned sports there, I made friends there. I did so much, and most importantly, it kept me out of trouble.”
He recently visited a New York City chapter of the Boys & Girls Club and says it was an incredible experience.
“We pulled up and all the kids were in the gymnasium, and I was like, ‘Alright, who can skate?’” White recalls. “Then all the counselors and coaches wanted to join in, so we got a bunch of them up on skateboards. It was just so fun.” He likens the act of giving back to sports — something that everyone can get behind and enjoy together.
“There’s something about being part of a group like that, being a part of your community that really feels like a calling,” he says. “I do it personally, but I also wanted to get the word out there, because this is the moment.”
When he’s not participating in acts of charity (he’s also active with St. Jude’s and the Make-A-Wish Foundation), he’s embracing the role of businessman. In 2021, he and his older brother Jesse launched the snowboarding gear company Whitespace.
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Shaun White and his older Brother Jesse White
Credit: Shaun White/Instagram
“We design all the gear, and I product test it, and now we’re starting to see young people using our products on the mountain and it’s so exciting. We even have our own little team of young athletes we support with like travel budgets or products,” he says.
“I received my first little deal when I was seven, so to be able to do that gives me so much fulfillment. It’s like it’s come full-circle, and I love the ripple effect of it all, like getting tagged by kids pulling out a Whitespace board at Christmas. It’s so fun to pour my energy into these products.”
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Another major milestone? Turning 40.
“I’m trying to figure out a fun 40th, but I don’t know! I’m not Mr. Birthday, so I’ll probably just keep it simple, have a fun party with some friends,” he says. “But I’m good going into this new chapter. I’ve done a lot. I’ve learned a lot. So I’m just excited for all of it.”
Read the original article on People
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