Alysa Liu on Returning to the Olympics and Figure Skating

Return to the Ice

• 🎿 Alysa Liu initially retired from figure skating at 16 after the Beijing Olympics, not touching ice for nearly two years.
• ⛷️ A ski trip in Tahoe in January 2024 rekindled her love for adrenaline and pushing physical limits, a feeling she missed after quitting.
• ⛸️ She realized that figure skating could provide the same exhilarating feeling as skiing, making it an easier and more accessible way to re-engage with a demanding sport.
• 📞 Her coach ensured she was returning for the right reasons, acknowledging her past struggles and the importance of a healthy mindset.

Overcoming Past Challenges

• 😭 During her earlier career, Alysa experienced dread and uncontrollable crying at the rink, feeling forced to skate against her will.
• 🚶‍♂️ A pivotal moment involved her coaches, Massimo and Jeremy, taking her on a hike in San Francisco when she expressed a desire to quit.
• 🎯 She decided to continue to the Olympics to achieve a childhood dream and avoid feeling her efforts were "for nothing," planning to retire afterward.

The Toxic Environment of Elite Sports

• ⚠️ Alysa's early issues stemmed from a toxic environment at the rink, where adults fostered negative attitudes and trash-talked others, including her friends and father.
• 🍎 She was subjected to harmful advice regarding body image and nutrition, being told to avoid water or certain foods to stay thin, and to limit muscle development.
• 🧠 The COVID-19 pandemic and puberty allowed her brain to develop, enabling her to question and reject the toxic advice she had received, leading to a healthier mindset.

A New Perspective on Competition

• 🏆 Alysa won the 2025 World Championships in Boston as a comeback story, but personally found the title "fake" and not overly significant.
• 🎶 Her focus is on the artistic performance and connection to music, such as her "MacArthur Park" program, rather than solely on results or judges' biases.
• 🧘‍♀️ She emphasizes being grounded and not letting external expectations or the weight of being a "world champion" define her experience.

Life Beyond Medals

• 🇮🇹 Alysa is approaching the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with excitement, focusing on enjoying the sport and showcasing her programs.
• ⚖️ Her journey highlights the importance of balance in life, advocating against being 100% consumed by one thing and exploring other potentials.
• ✨ She believes in enjoying the process and not taking life too seriously, embracing different paths and possibilities.