I don't think I've ever read a post on this substack and gotten verklempt. When I first saw a profile on Alysa Liu, my cranky old-ladyness was suspicious of her "Oh I don't care about medals." But then I saw her short program and knew I was so very (unsurprisingly) wrong. I love watching the Olympics, but I'm not a skating nerd. But I could NOT wait to see her free skate. I've never seen such ease and enjoyment. I'm so happy for her, and I hope the skating world learns something from her. I suspect this sport effs a lot of kids up.
People don’t realize that to this day, figure skating is still mostly a dictatorship. I constantly remind my athletes in that sport, they’re paying the coaches. They’re the boss. They call the shots. It’s an archaic institution that creates a lot of harm. Alysa Liu has given a lot of skaters hope that they, in fact, can also do it their way. Without punishment or repercussions.
Yes! That’s why it’s so important. You don’t need a dictator coach. It doesn’t help performance. And it doesn’t help your well being. You can be the best while enjoying what you do, in fact it’ll help!
I think Alysa is awesome and have read everything I can find about her (which is how I ended up here), but the harsh reality is that until female skaters who are allowed autonomy consistently best female skaters who come through what I call the Russian girls training/starvation/abuse system, changing figure skating from being dictatorial will be difficult. In gymnastics, Simone Biles has set off a revolution by showing that a healthy strong woman with autonomy in her 20's can blow away the best starved overworked overtrained anorexic teen/tween stick figures produced by such a system. We haven't seen that in women's figure skating yet. Alysa was lights out in execution, but in technical difficulty, her programs, while among the most difficult in the world at the current time, are well below those of the 3 Russian girls who competed in Beijing in 2022 (who were 17, 17, and 15 at the time and yes, who all looked like anorexic stick figures). We'd need a healthy strong autonomous woman in her 20's to blow away the best anorexic teens in both execution _and_ difficulty to see the same revolution in figure skating (a Biles in FS). Who knows. It could be Alysa in her mid/late 20's!
I can relate. I was a poetic progidy who collected 45 years worth for publication and I got fed up with it. I quit and took up abstract art where I find play and joy. Well done Alyssa. You had an awesome program.
Because the winter Olympics have a rule on needing to be on snow or ice. It's strange. But there is a big push to get cross-country into the winter Olympics, which would be fantastic and appropriate. And it would allow nations that traditionally have little representation in the winter Olympics to participate at a high level.
Excited to read this. I am writing a history/movement program with references to what ancient philosophers (and philosophies) around the world have to say about movement and its meaning. I wrote a section about Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and what they had to say about performance and performers. I am linking to this article because it addresses many of the issues about mindset and mastery that I was trying to address. Thank you!
I don't think I've ever read a post on this substack and gotten verklempt. When I first saw a profile on Alysa Liu, my cranky old-ladyness was suspicious of her "Oh I don't care about medals." But then I saw her short program and knew I was so very (unsurprisingly) wrong. I love watching the Olympics, but I'm not a skating nerd. But I could NOT wait to see her free skate. I've never seen such ease and enjoyment. I'm so happy for her, and I hope the skating world learns something from her. I suspect this sport effs a lot of kids up.
Her story is incredible! She was so graceful and her energy was contagious. She is an example of why I love watching figure skating.
People don’t realize that to this day, figure skating is still mostly a dictatorship. I constantly remind my athletes in that sport, they’re paying the coaches. They’re the boss. They call the shots. It’s an archaic institution that creates a lot of harm. Alysa Liu has given a lot of skaters hope that they, in fact, can also do it their way. Without punishment or repercussions.
Yes! That’s why it’s so important. You don’t need a dictator coach. It doesn’t help performance. And it doesn’t help your well being. You can be the best while enjoying what you do, in fact it’ll help!
I always find that it helps so much when they can enjoy their sport while competing. I’m sure you have as well.
I think Alysa is awesome and have read everything I can find about her (which is how I ended up here), but the harsh reality is that until female skaters who are allowed autonomy consistently best female skaters who come through what I call the Russian girls training/starvation/abuse system, changing figure skating from being dictatorial will be difficult. In gymnastics, Simone Biles has set off a revolution by showing that a healthy strong woman with autonomy in her 20's can blow away the best starved overworked overtrained anorexic teen/tween stick figures produced by such a system. We haven't seen that in women's figure skating yet. Alysa was lights out in execution, but in technical difficulty, her programs, while among the most difficult in the world at the current time, are well below those of the 3 Russian girls who competed in Beijing in 2022 (who were 17, 17, and 15 at the time and yes, who all looked like anorexic stick figures). We'd need a healthy strong autonomous woman in her 20's to blow away the best anorexic teens in both execution _and_ difficulty to see the same revolution in figure skating (a Biles in FS). Who knows. It could be Alysa in her mid/late 20's!
Read my post
I can relate. I was a poetic progidy who collected 45 years worth for publication and I got fed up with it. I quit and took up abstract art where I find play and joy. Well done Alyssa. You had an awesome program.
Best lesson of all…
A tribute to what can happen when we step outside of our comfort zones or monastic enclaves in order to address our mental health issues.
I see a great future for this Olympic medalist as a champion in addressing the mental health issues professional athletes struggle with.
And as an extension to addressing mental health awareness period…more value than just fancy degrees or phone apps.
#mentalhealth
What a fascinating story and unconventional path.
Steve, why is there no indoor track in the Winter Olympics? Wouldn't it be an easy add?
Because the winter Olympics have a rule on needing to be on snow or ice. It's strange. But there is a big push to get cross-country into the winter Olympics, which would be fantastic and appropriate. And it would allow nations that traditionally have little representation in the winter Olympics to participate at a high level.
as a former athlete, understanding the “have to” but never getting to the “want to” hits hard. she is living our dream!
I felt that adrenaline rush last night during my second LR of the weekend, 19.4 miles (after 16.3 mi. in the brutal heat Friday)!
Nice piece about her! If you want to see our work on her, it would be amazing!
https://fgpsports.substack.com/p/redefining-success-alysa-lius-journey?r=7naprt
I literally thought of YOU and your work Steve when I watched the coverage! I love your thoughtful and insightful recap.
https://substack.com/@betsyjohnsonautismwriting/note/c-217268566?r=avvav&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Excited to read this. I am writing a history/movement program with references to what ancient philosophers (and philosophies) around the world have to say about movement and its meaning. I wrote a section about Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and what they had to say about performance and performers. I am linking to this article because it addresses many of the issues about mindset and mastery that I was trying to address. Thank you!