It’s hard not to be endeared to the U.S. ski team’s bad boy Bode Miller. The free-thinking athlete–thought to be a candidate for several gold medals–was homeschooled by hippie parents who allowed him time to ponder the meaning of existence alone in the wintry New Hampshire woods. Miller’s coaches believe in him, but sometimes get disheartened by this talented guy’s reluctance to see winning as the ultimate goal. He’s too deep–or spiritual?–for that. Or maybe just intent on a higher purpose.

Miller told Newsweek: “For me, the ideal Olympics would be to go in with all that pressure, all that attention, and have performances that are literally tear-jerking, that make people put their heads down because they’re embarrassed at how emotional they’re getting, that make people want to try sports, talk to their kids, call their f— ing ex-wives—and come away with no medals. I think that would be f—ing epic. That would be the perfect thing.”

He’s in concordance with the official Olympic oath, which states, “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle.”