Milestones That Mattered: Reflecting on a Year of Growth

by | Dec 30, 2024 | Mind & Body Balance

2025 Goals

The start of a new year offers a collective reset—a chance to prioritize what matters, shed what doesn’t serve you, and focus on growth. As 2024 winds down, I’ve taken time to reflect on milestones that mattered, along with the challenges, achievements, and valuable lessons the year brought.

One milestone I’m particularly proud of is – this – my 50th blog post! What began as a creative outlet has grown into a platform for sharing my skating journey and connecting with others. Hearing the stories of fellow skaters and professionals has been deeply rewarding and a source of creative growth.

Looking back over the past year, persistence and intentional effort were the key drivers for success. Watching old training videos reminded me of progress I often overlook when struggling with a certain element. Moments like landing a new jump or managing competition nerves highlight the importance of celebrating wins, no matter how small. As Steve Jobs famously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

Setting Goals for 2025

Goal setting is personal, find what works for you. While skating goals like mastering a new jump or passing a test are often the easiest to identify, I’ve learned to value less tangible goals, such as maintaining mental clarity, balancing training with work and life off the ice, and embracing the process. After reflecting, I start by writing down my goals without judgment. Then I organize them into categories—like skating, off-ice training, work, and life—and jot down one or two actionable steps under each so I have a place to start and a path leading towards the goal. Remember, you can set goals any time—it doesn’t have to be January.

Celebrating Milestones

Every step forward matters. Whether it’s a small improvement or a significant breakthrough, celebrating these moments fuels motivation. Journaling has been an area I’ve explored and for the most part liked, it helps me capture thoughts after productive or challenging sessions. I also document warm-up routines that work well for competitions so I can replicate them. Videos of training sessions are another powerful tool for tracking progress over time, especially when improvement feels slow. Celebrating these moments fuels motivation and builds resilience.

The Power of Community

Connecting with fellow skaters is also very valuable. Be it a quick chat with my coach to discuss a concern or share a success, noticing your training mates who share the ice with you day after day and appreciating their hard work, success and struggles along the way, and learning from others’ journeys reinforce the fact that none of us are skating alone.

As 2024 closes, I’m filled with gratitude for a year of growth. Here’s to a new year of fresh goals, exciting milestones, and deeper connections. What are you celebrating as the year ends, and what are you looking forward to in 2025? 

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Start

by | Dec 8, 2024 | Mind & Body Balance

world ice skating day

World Ice Skating Day, celebrated this year on December 15th, is an international event dedicated to the joy of ice skating through a global festival. Many rinks and skating clubs will mark the occasion with free skating sessions and complimentary skate rentals. A worldwide celebration like this makes it the perfect time to start skating. Let’s explore why learning to skate as an adult is not only possible but also immensely rewarding. Whether you’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or rekindling a childhood passion, figure skating offers countless physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Why Start Now?

Starting something new as an adult can feel intimidating. You might imagine being the only grown-up in a class full of kids or fielding skeptical looks from friends saying, “You’re going to do what?” But skating is more than just learning to glide—it’s about building confidence, developing new skills, and proving to yourself that age is just a number.

Trying something outside your comfort zone sparks curiosity and breaks up the monotony of our daily routines. It’s about setting goals, celebrating progress (no matter how small), and proving that it’s never too late to try something new.

Physical Benefits

Ice skating is a full-body workout that improves strength, balance, and flexibility:

  • Low-Impact Cardio: Learning to skate is a heart-healthy way to build endurance and improve circulation, with the added bonus of being gentle on your joints. (Don’t forget padding to cushion inevitable falls! More on that here.)
  • Core and Leg Strength: Skating engages your core and lower body, helping improve balance and posture through movements like spins, jumps, and edge exercises.
  • Improved Flexibility and Coordination: Moving in new ways on the ice naturally enhances flexibility and motor skills. Complementing your skating with off-ice training boosts strength and mobility even further.

Mental Health Benefits

The mental rewards of skating are just as powerful as the physical ones:

  • Stress Relief: The focus required for spins, jumps, and edge exercises allows you to fully disconnect from technology and daily stressors.
  • Improved Mood: Like all exercise, skating releases endorphins that leave you feeling accomplished and energized.
  • Cognitive Boost: Skating sharpens your brain through quick decision-making, spatial awareness, and memorization.
  • Social Connection: Joining a Learn to Skate class or skating club helps you meet like-minded people, building community and support.

The Wonder of Starting Something New

There’s nothing quite like mastering a skill you never thought possible. From your first one-foot glide to landing a spin or jump, every achievement is proof of your resilience and dedication.

Whether you’re drawn by the physical challenge, the mental clarity, or the sheer joy of skating, now is the perfect time to lace up your skates. Celebrate World Ice Skating Day by taking that first step—you never know where this journey might take you.

Ready to start? Share your skating goals and stories in the comments below!

Your Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Glitter Season

by | Dec 1, 2024 | Skating Essentials

Holiday Gift Guide

The holidays are fast approaching, and it’s time to find that perfect gift! Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned skater, a lifelong fan, or someone lacing up their skates for the first time, this holiday gift guide has something for everyone. From practical essentials to personalized favorites, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to give back, here are my top picks to make any skater’s season sparkle. Let’s jump in!

1. Gifts for Inspiration

Books to Spark Motivation:

  • One Jump at a Time by Nathan Chen: An inspiring and realistic look into an elite figure skaters journey, from his first steps on the ice to the Beijing Olympics.
  • Gracie Gold’s Book: an honest and moving memoir detailing her battles and victories both on and off the ice. (Recommendation: the audiobook, read by Gracie herself)
  • The Book of Figure Skating by Johanna Allik: A gorgeous collection featuring interviews with some of the sports biggest names, skater insights, and stunning photography—a perfect coffee table addition.

2. Support Small Businesses

Etsy Favorites:

Personalized Accessories:

  • The perfect travel mug – because you need a way to transport those lattes to the rink. Extra credit? These come in super fun colors and are designed so you never need to remove your gloves to take sip.
  • Personalized rink side bag – a small bag to store those rink side necessities or to organize small items in your skate bag such as Bunga pads, gloves, lip balm, etc.

3. Last-Minute Essentials

No time to shop? These practical picks are easy to grab and always appreciated.

  • Leg Warmers: tested by yours truly to fit over your skates, stay up, and keep you toasty warm.
  • Gloves: warm, phone friendly, padded for those unexpected falls and tough enough to withstand all those catch foot positions the require grabbing the blades.
Holiday Gift Guide

4. High-Low Gifting Options

Splurge-Worthy Favorites:

Budget-Friendly Picks:

5. Gifts That Give Back

Celebrate the spirit of the season by giving back:

  • Donate to organizations like the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund which has provided more than $20 million in financial support to athletes for skating-related and academic expenses. The Memorial Fund acts as a living legacy to the lives lost on Flight 548.
  • Help support an organisation like Elevate Figure Skating Club co-founded by Michael Phaneuf, who partners with Boston schools and the broader community to offer inclusive Learn to Skate USA programs. By removing financial barriers, Elevate is making the sport accessible to all and fostering a welcoming environment for skaters of every background.

6. Experience-Based Gifts

Create lasting memories with these thoughtful experiences:

  • Learn-to-Skate Classes: A perfect introduction for beginners or a fun way to sharpen skills for those returning to the sport.
  • Skating Camps or Clinics: Help them level up their abilities while making new friends on the ice.

From inspiring books to meaningful experiences and charitable giving, these thoughtful gift ideas celebrate every facet of skating. Whether you’re adding a touch of magic to their time on the ice or bringing joy off it, you’re sure to make your favorite skater’s holiday unforgettable. Happy shopping—and happy skating!

Feedback is a Gift: Understanding the Value of Judging Critiques

by | Nov 24, 2024 | Conversations

Judging Critique

Feedback is often said to be a gift, and that’s especially true in figure skating. I had the privilege of sitting down with U.S. Figure Skating Judge Chia Ying Lee to discuss how skaters can effectively ask for and receive judging critiques. Here’s what she shared.

What is a Judge’s Critique?

A judge’s critique offers skaters detailed feedback on their performance. As Chia explains, “It’s an opportunity to hear directly from a judge or technical specialist about what went well and where there’s room for improvement. This includes scores for components like GOEs (Grade of Execution) and PCS (Program Component Scores), and, more importantly, why those scores were given.”

For example, if a skater performs a powerful double flip jump that earns a +1 GOE for the good height and length, but it’s downgraded for an under rotation (requiring a -3 deduction), the final score might land at -2.

Why Would a Skater Request a Critique?

Critiques give skaters personalized insights that aren’t always available during competition. “It’s a chance to learn about the specifics of your skating,” Chia notes, “like which elements you’re excelling at and which areas need refinement. This kind of individualized feedback can really elevate your performance.”

Judging Critiques

How to Prepare for a Critique

Chia’s top advice: “Come with an open mind.”
Judges evaluate based on ISU standards, which may differ from what a skater or coach prioritizes in training. “Be ready to hear new perspectives,” she adds.

She also emphasizes that critiques are based on what is performed during the session. “Even if you usually land clean flip jumps, if it doesn’t happen during the critique, we can only evaluate what we see.”

Tips for Making the Most of a Critique

  • Prepare Specific Questions: If you’re seeking clarity on certain elements, don’t hesitate to ask. “Knowing what specifics you want feedback on helps direct the conversation and ensures you get the most value,” Chia advises.
  • Presentation Matters: While costumes aren’t mandatory, presenting a clean, polished appearance helps judges clearly see your movements. The costume itself isn’t part of the judging criteria, however it can help some judges recall skaters’ programs better when they associate the performance with the costume (for example ‘that girl with the yellow dress had a great flip jump’).

How is Feedback Delivered?

Feedback is typically shared one-on-one, unless the skater is very young in which case the coach is often present.

Next Steps After a Critique

To get the most out of your critique:

  • Digest the Feedback: Remember, critiques are meant to help you grow, not define your worth as a skater.
  • Review with Your Coach: Discuss specific points, such as improving jump landings or enhancing edge work. (More on that here.)
  • Create an Action Plan: Use the critique to shape your training and focus on areas for improvement.

How to Request a Critique

You can arrange a critique through:

  • Competitions: Some events offer critiques; check with the chief referee beforehand.
  • Local Skating Clubs: Many clubs can connect skaters with judges or tech specialists.

Whether you’re a seasoned competitive skater or just starting out, critiques are an invaluable tool for refining your skills and deepening your understanding of the sport. As Chia puts it, “Officials want to see skaters succeed. We’re here to help you grow.”

How to Win the ‘Athlete Adulting’ Game

by | Nov 17, 2024 | Mind & Body Balance

Athlete Adulting

Ever have one of those weeks packed with key deadlines, a surprise business trip, family obligations, and a contractor showing up to start a home project? Now toss in figure skating training, competition season on the horizon, fitness goals, and suddenly you’re juggling a schedule full of “athlete adulting” responsibilities. Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you really can do it all, even if it looks a little different than you imagined.

While I’m not a professional organizer, planning large-scale corporate events set me up with some effective strategies for prioritizing and staying flexible. Here are a few tricks I’ve found helpful—hopefully, they’ll work for you, too!

Prioritize and Plan for What Matters Most

    • Identify Core Priorities: Each year, I set big goals and revisit them quarterly to adjust and realign. This means marking key dates like competitions, work events, and vacations on my calendar as non-negotiables. From there, I create a plan with milestones like booking travel or scheduling smaller competitions before nationals. Checking in quarterly ensures I can adapt as needed.
    • Time Blocking & Planning: Weekly check-ins are essential to staying on track. I schedule everything—skating sessions, gym workouts, and work meetings—so I have a realistic view of my week in one place. I also try and block off specific hours for focused work which helps boost my productivity so I can get everything done.
    • Stay Flexible: Even the best plans change, and adaptability is key. A planned 6 p.m. workout might get bumped by an emergency work meeting. Instead of giving up, I’ll opt for a 30-minute treadmill incline walk—giving me cardio, core work, and a mental reset.
Fitness Goals

Optimize, Don’t Just Balance

    • Set Strategic Boundaries: Setting boundaries isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. For example, I know my workday rarely ends on time, so I skate early in the morning when interruptions are minimal. Gym sessions, however, are more flexible and can shift when work demands more attention.
    • Integrate Skating and Fitness: I always warm up for 10–15 minutes before hitting the ice—jogging, doing off-ice jumps, and stretching. Even on chaotic days, it’s good to know I’ve at least fit in some fitness.
    • Use Micro-Breaks for Quick Recovery: A perfect post-workout routine isn’t always realistic (more on recovery here). I’ll often sneak in two minutes of stretching after skating or between Zoom calls. These small breaks add up and help alleviate stress and fatigue.

Manage Stress with Simple Techniques

    • Mindfulness and Mini-Resets: Carving out a few minutes each day to recharge is a game-changer. This could mean listening to a podcast, foam rolling sore muscles, or a mini stretch session before bed. Find what works for you, no matter how small.
    • Embrace the Power of “No”: Saying no can be tough, but it’s crucial for balance. Especially true this time of year – prioritize volunteer activities or commitments that genuinely fit your schedule. And remember: your holidays don’t have to be Instagram-worthy—they just need to work for you. 
    • Leverage Technology: Use digital tools to manage time and limit distractions. Setting social media limits or activating “Do Not Disturb” hours can surprisingly free up extra time in your day.  (More on managing social media here)

Celebrate Small Wins and Stay Motivated

    • Acknowledge Progress: Reflect on small wins across career, life, skating, and fitness. Progress may feel slow, but it adds up over time.
    • Remember Your ‘Why’: Staying connected to your purpose—whether it’s skating, fitness, or work—keeps you grounded and motivated, even during tough days.
    • Consistency Over Perfection: Rather than aiming for long or “perfect” sessions, focus on regular activity. Consistency builds resilience and leads to meaningful results over time.

Balancing it all isn’t easy, but with thoughtful planning, flexibility, and mindful strategies, you can create a routine that allows you to pursue your passions while keeping up with life’s responsibilities.  What are some things that has worked for you?