Some people train intensely their entire lives to break athletic records. Other people are Heather Mills.
The ex-wife of Paul McCartney had always enjoyed skiing for leisure, but turned pro a little over five years ago, when she was in her early forties. Since then, Mills, who lost the lower half of her left leg in an accident in 1993, has glided expertly down the slopes, even becoming the fastest disabled female skier in the world. And the way it all came about, she tells "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", was by chance.
"Me becoming a skier was a complete accident," Mills says. "I'd skied as a holiday skier and someone said, 'You should be a professional skier because you're crazy and you only go straight.'"
So, Mills did just that.
Hannah Peters via Getty Images
"I trained up and got on the British Paralympic team, won four gold medals and decided to be a speed skier," she says. "Just for a complete change, and to disappear in the mountains."
Mills, who says she enjoys challenging people's perceptions of disability, adds that she currently has her sights set on the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
"My next goal is to be the oldest person to win a gold medal in Korea, which is in a few years' time," she says. "I'll be 50."
Mills opens up more about her life, her daughter with Sir Paul and her vegan deli on "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", airing Saturday, Feb. 20, at 10 p.m. ET on OWN.
Also on HuffPost:
PHOTOS: Heather Mills Skiing
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(01 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: (L-R) Second place Heather Mills of Great Britain kisses first place winner Melanie Schwartzc of the USA after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(02 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(03 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(04 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain competes in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(05 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain competes in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(06 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain looks on after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(07 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(08 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain and Melanie Schwartzc of the USA pose on the podium after their Womens Slalom Standing race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(09 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(10 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(11 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain looks on after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(12 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain smiles after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(13 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain competes in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(14 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain looks on after competing in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(15 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(16 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(17 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(18 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(19 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain and Melanie Schwartzc of the USA kiss on the podium after their Womens Slalom Standing race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(20 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain competes in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ at Coronet Peak on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(21 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(22 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(23 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(24 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain waves on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(25 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(26 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(27 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain waves on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(28 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Winter Games NZ - Day 8: IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup(29 of29)
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 22: Heather Mills of Great Britain poses on the podium after finishing second in the Womens Slalom Standing LW4 race during the IPC Alpine Adaptive Slalom World Cup on day eight of the Winter Games NZ on August 22, 2013 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)