This past Sunday concluded the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. Hundreds of athletes across the globe competed in some of the most impressive and creative sports on earth. Many successful stories took place and many tears were shed. Few were winners and most came up short.
The Olympics always seem to have some sort of pull on the human emotions. We quite literally watch the most talented people in the world compete at the worlds highest stage and we get the opportunity to learn about what led them to get to that point. One story that not only seemed to inspire me but many other fellow members of the United States was Alysa Liu and her journey as a figure skater.
A 20 year old figure skater, Alysa’s story isn’t quite like the rest. After starting figure skating at a very young age, and after winning multiple national championships over the course of her youth, at the age of 16 she decided to step away from the sport. Alysa said that, “Quitting was definitely, and still to this day, one of my best decisions ever.” How does an athlete, so talented in a sport, decide that stepping away is a positive decision? I think Alysa showed the importance of want actually pushes high achievers to success.
1. Taking Ownership of your own life/career
Alysa in her youth was a prodigy. She spent years living in a dorm room at the Olympic skating facility being told what to do, how to train, what to eat. She was being pushed to act and grow rather than choosing that herself. It burnt her out. She quit. All of this led to her being able to finally be able to choose for herself. I resonated with this a lot because I too had a similar situation as a high school soccer player. Have you taken control over your own life, or are you stuck being told how to live?
2. Take Things Serious by Having Fun
In the United States I fear we have a toxic problem with work. There is this idea that you have to “lock-in” or be super serious in order to progress and improve. We see it in high performing careers, people spending hours upon hours grinding away so they can get a result that they want. Alysa’s story is different. In an interview with Olympics.com Alysa said, “I was peak happiness when I was out there on the ice,” “Nothing could bring me higher than that.” It wasn’t hard work necessarily delivered her results, but the joy she had in doing it. Have fun. Don’t stress. Do the work you love not what you hate. Even when things might be hard or frustrating, take a page out of Alysa’s book: “I love struggling… It makes me feel alive” Success does NOT have to come out of suffering.
3. Balance
Success isn’t found in spreading yourself thin. It isn’t found in locking in on a single goal. It is found in balancing priorities and things that you love. It’s about finding joy in every moment. It’s about being yourself, unapologetically.
4. Enjoying the Process
Alysa loves one thing, skating. Even though she stepped away for a moment, she voluntarily came back. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t demanded of her. She found what she loved and followed the process, all while soaking it in and enjoying all the moments, even the ones widely different than skating. A process does not have to be a tunnel vision, it’s a personal journey that takes us through different moments. That’s how success is ultimately achieved. It’s a serious of moments that compound into something unique.
So, ask yourself – dig a little deep and throw some of those Alysa Liu charms in – what moments in your life are compounding your success? Are you enjoying the process? How can you better find joy through balance? Is your life too serious? How can you loosen up and live a little more? Take ownership. It’s the first step.