Bedazzled costumes. Six-hour practices. Pasted on smiles. This is the life that consumed American figure skater Alysa Liu since age five. After becoming the youngest U.S. women’s figure skating champion in 2019 at age thirteen, Alysa became a public phenomenon.
Throughout this time, her fame continued and Liu fell more and more into the public spotlight, mastering triple axels and being vetted as a future Olympic star. Making her Olympic debut in Beijing (2022), Liu took seventh place at only sixteen. Following this performance, Liu announced her retirement due to the mental exhaustion and physical burnout that coincided with training at such an extreme level.
Across the board, the feeling of “burnout” stemming from intensity and pressure is often a collective sentiment among people and their passions. Whether it’s a sport, art, hobby, or just a plain and simple pastime, so many people end up leaving something that once made up such a large part of their identity. When pouring your heart and soul into your craft isn’t enough, what does it mean to start hating something that was once so distinctly yours?
The answer is clear in Liu’s story: take a step back and regroup. In a world that moves so fast and pressurizes the necessity to keep moving, constantly, with clear vision, Liu reminds us that we are all human, and that it is more than okay to pause and look internally for clarity.
Her break from figure skating allowed her to explore new parts of life: studying psychology at UCLA, traveling to Nepal, and experiencing teenage extravaganzas. After a two-year hiatus, a ski trip in 2024 reminded Liu of her passion for skating and she began her journey to reclaim what she once loved so dearly.
“It’s hard, you have to tap into the side of you that fights. I haven’t felt that since skating,” said Liu in a 60 Minutes CBS interview, describing the intensity of her ski trip.
When returning to skating, Liu placed a heavy emphasis on skating for herself, rather than a title. She embodied the mindset of performing as an expression of her love, artistry, and creativity, rather than a scoresheet she must meet.
Her emphasis on performing from the heart reminds us of the importance of authenticity, leading from a place of positivity and love. Her brave comeback illustrates that letting go does not necessarily mean giving up, and redefining success to align with individual values is more than okay.
“No one tells me what I’m gonna wear. No one tells me how my hair is gonna be. No one’s gonna try to change me,” said Liu in an interview to Cosmopolitan.
Upon her return, Liu performed incredibly, winning the Grand Prix gold champion in 2025 and becoming the 2026 Olympic Champion, taking home two gold medals. Amidst the quadruple jumps and triple axels, she’s most memorable for her radiant smile. Her comeback demonstrates the true joy that branches from authenticity.
“I’ve definitely evolved into my own person, I love creating, I’m a lot stronger, and my mind is very peaceful,” said Liu when giving an interview to TODAY.
Alysa’s story teaches us the importance of knowing when something isn’t serving you anymore, and no matter how cliche, leading with your heart. Walking away doesn’t have to be about quitting, it can be an opportunity to find yourself, creating space to authentically thrive in a way that suits you.
