Alysa Liu, the 20-year-old figure skater from Richmond, has defied expectations by making a triumphant return to the sport she walked away from just two years ago. The American's decision to retire after the 2022 Beijing Olympics was met with shock and disappointment from fans and fellow athletes alike.
Liu's journey back to skating began when she took up skiing on a trip, feeling an adrenaline rush that had been absent in her life since leaving the sport. This sparked an interest in returning to figure skating, not as a competitor but simply to enjoy it.
Once she started skating again, Liu found herself rediscovering the joy of the activity and letting go of the pressure and stress that came with being one of the best young skaters in America. She was finally free to be herself, away from the expectations of others.
Liu's comeback has been nothing short of spectacular, with a string of victories including two Grand Prix events and the coveted Grand Prix Final trophy. Her performance at the world championships, where she won both the short program and free skate, cemented her status as one of the top skaters in the world.
Friends and fellow athletes have praised Liu's newfound appreciation for figure skating, saying that it has allowed her to compete with a comfort level and authenticity that was lacking during her initial rise to fame. Olympic champion Nathan Chen noted that Liu had "already accomplished all the things she set out to do" before returning to competition, giving her the freedom to pursue the sport on her own terms.
Now, Liu is poised to make history by winning another U.S. championships title, a feat she accomplished twice before her departure from the sport in 2022. This would be a full-circle moment for the young skater, who has come a long way since her initial retirement and is now enjoying the freedom and fulfillment that comes with doing something she loves.
For Liu, the experience of returning to figure skating has been about finding herself again and letting go of the pressures of competition. She says that she no longer takes the sport as seriously, allowing herself to simply enjoy the process of creating and performing her programs. This newfound perspective has brought a sense of balance and happiness to her life, one that she believes is essential for any athlete looking to succeed in their chosen field.
Liu's story serves as an inspiration to young athletes who may feel overwhelmed or burnt out by the pressures of competition. Her journey shows that it's okay to take a step back and re-evaluate what you want from your sport, and that sometimes, taking time off can be just what you need to find yourself again and come back stronger than ever.
Liu's journey back to skating began when she took up skiing on a trip, feeling an adrenaline rush that had been absent in her life since leaving the sport. This sparked an interest in returning to figure skating, not as a competitor but simply to enjoy it.
Once she started skating again, Liu found herself rediscovering the joy of the activity and letting go of the pressure and stress that came with being one of the best young skaters in America. She was finally free to be herself, away from the expectations of others.
Liu's comeback has been nothing short of spectacular, with a string of victories including two Grand Prix events and the coveted Grand Prix Final trophy. Her performance at the world championships, where she won both the short program and free skate, cemented her status as one of the top skaters in the world.
Friends and fellow athletes have praised Liu's newfound appreciation for figure skating, saying that it has allowed her to compete with a comfort level and authenticity that was lacking during her initial rise to fame. Olympic champion Nathan Chen noted that Liu had "already accomplished all the things she set out to do" before returning to competition, giving her the freedom to pursue the sport on her own terms.
Now, Liu is poised to make history by winning another U.S. championships title, a feat she accomplished twice before her departure from the sport in 2022. This would be a full-circle moment for the young skater, who has come a long way since her initial retirement and is now enjoying the freedom and fulfillment that comes with doing something she loves.
For Liu, the experience of returning to figure skating has been about finding herself again and letting go of the pressures of competition. She says that she no longer takes the sport as seriously, allowing herself to simply enjoy the process of creating and performing her programs. This newfound perspective has brought a sense of balance and happiness to her life, one that she believes is essential for any athlete looking to succeed in their chosen field.
Liu's story serves as an inspiration to young athletes who may feel overwhelmed or burnt out by the pressures of competition. Her journey shows that it's okay to take a step back and re-evaluate what you want from your sport, and that sometimes, taking time off can be just what you need to find yourself again and come back stronger than ever.
Alysa Liu is literally the ultimate comeback story 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to leave the spotlight for a bit and then return like a phoenix? It's amazing how she was able to tap into that initial spark she felt while skiing and reignite her passion for figure skating. I love how she's now in this zone where she can just enjoy the process and not worry about expectations, it's like she's finally found her true self on the ice 
. Like, I get it, she's made a comeback and all, but does we really have to put her on a pedestal? It's just figure skating, folks! She's still got her flaws and mistakes like the rest of us. And don't even get me started on how weird it is that everyone's so obsessed with her "finding herself" again 
. Can't we all just be ourselves without needing some fancy comeback story to validate it? And what's up with Nathan Chen saying she's already accomplished everything she set out to do? Is he seriously implying that she was never meant for this sport in the first place? It's a bit too much, if you ask me 
.
her story is giving me major goals tbh, I need to take a step back from gaming and see if I can find joy in it like Alysa does with skating. I'm so inspired by her newfound appreciation for the sport and how she's not stressing about winning all the time anymore 
But now she's back on the ice and it's like a whole different skater out there... she's got this new swagger and confidence that's infectious 
. It's awesome to see her finding herself again and not stressing about what others think. We need more athletes being true to themselves like that! 
The fact that she's crushing it on the ice too is just the cherry on top 
. I'm rooting for her all the way to the next US championships title, that would be EPIC 
It's awesome that she's found a way to enjoy figure skating without all the stress and expectations. That's like, so freeing! 
. She's like, "I've got this" 
.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to take a break from all that pressure and stress, right? 
And it's amazing how she was able to find herself again through skiing 
! It just goes to show that you don't have to be tied down to one thing or activity your whole life - sometimes taking time off can lead to a more fulfilling and happy life