Whether you’ve been keeping up with the 2026 Winter Olympics or not, chances are the standout figure skaters have already glided across your feed. A standout performer is Team USA’s Alysa Liu. At 20 years old, she is the 2026 Winter Olympic champion in both women’s singles and in the team event.
Aside from being the first American woman in 24 years to win a women’s singles Olympic title, Liu has gone viral for numerous reasons. She attracts audiences due to her authenticity and inspirational story.
After becoming the youngest U.S. women’s national champion at 13 years old, Alysa Liu retired following the 2022 Winter Olympics at 16 years old, explaining that she felt ready for a life beyond the strict regimens of elite skating. Liu did not have any freedom and lost her love for skating.
Now, after time away from the spotlight, Liu has returned with renewed joy and perspective, proving that stepping back doesn’t mean the story is over: sometimes, it’s simply an intermission.
Liu has undergone a noticeable transformation from the last Winter Olympics to now. In terms of appearance, she is unapologetically herself — a rare quality in large-scale competitions. Her hair is dyed with patterns, her teeth are pierced, and she dresses in a style true to her, both on and off the ice.
In interviews, Liu casually and unintentionally offers lines that read inspirationally. She said she won gold because she “connects with everything but is not attached to anything.” She also said winning is “just an outcome — it’s about the input and the journey,” and, “I love struggling, it makes me feel alive.”
In just the past few weeks, Liu has gained millions of followers. Fans can’t get enough of watching her thrive, hanging on to every word she says. So, what can artists learn from Alysa Liu’s journey?
Performers of all kinds are told that the second we pause, someone else is getting ahead and that, by taking a break, we are giving up. It often feels like we live on a timer, constantly running out of time to fulfill our goals. Meanwhile, this gold medalist decided to step away the moment her craft no longer brought her joy. She gave herself the space for it to return organically, and when it did, she found love for it on her own terms. Now, she is one of the most successful figure skaters in the world.
Success is found when you follow your heart and allow yourself to experience joy. Her success came not from pressure but from loving what she does and letting that passion lead the way.
From Alysa Liu’s journey, we are reminded that stepping away isn’t failure and that taking a break is a strategy for success. She said, “Expectations shouldn’t hold you back from your passions.”
