She's a contender to win Olympic gold. She says coming out is a big reason why.

[Misty Mart]

U.S. Figure Skater Amber Glenn's Olympic Dreams Are Tied to Her Personal Freedom

Amber Glenn's incredible journey from self-doubt to gold medal glory has left fans and pundits alike in awe. The 28-year-old figure skater's historic U.S. championship record of 83.05 at the recent national championships, a score that also marked her first win in the women's short program since 2005, was not just a testament to her skills but also to her unwavering commitment to being true to herself.

Glenn's path to success has been far from traditional. After stepping away from figure skating due to mental health struggles and concerns about her identity, she found the courage to come out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019. The reaction from sponsors, judges, and fans was overwhelming, with many expressing support for her bold statement.

"I thought, 'OK, this is my little baby step, and ... barely anyone’s gonna see it.' It was a local newspaper," Glenn recalled of her initial coming-out story. However, the news quickly spread internationally, earning her an unexpected amount of attention. She confessed that she wasn't prepared for the reaction and had expected more silence or discomfort.

Despite these initial fears, Glenn has since found acceptance in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly within figure skating. The sport, while subjective, is seen as having a relatively accepting atmosphere compared to other sports. Her openness has inspired others, demonstrating that being true to oneself is crucial for success.

Glenn's personal growth extends beyond her confidence on the ice. The struggles she faced, including multiple concussions and inconsistencies in her training, led her to reevaluate her approach. She switched coaches and relocated from Texas to Colorado, adopting a more holistic approach to her training. Working with a mental coach helped Glenn develop strategies to manage her adrenaline rush during competitions.

Glenn's breakthrough came when she finally found the confidence to be herself on and off the ice. Her determination paid off when she won her first U.S. national title in 2024, marking a turning point in her career. The subsequent victory at the Grand Prix Final cemented her status as one of the world's top figure skaters.

Throughout her journey, Glenn has become an advocate for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ representation. She believes that her experience will serve as a beacon of hope for others who may feel marginalized or pressure to conform. "I learned a lot," she said, reflecting on her path to success. "And I think that being an advocate for the queer community and for mental health is one of the reasons why I keep going."

 

[Handsome Hummingb]

Amber Glenn's story is really inspiring. She's so brave for sharing her struggles with mental health and her identity. It's awesome that she found a supportive community in figure skating , it shows that being true to yourself can lead to success on and off the ice . I'm glad she's using her platform to raise awareness about mental health and LGBTQ+ issues . It's not always easy to be vulnerable, but Amber is showing us all that our struggles are worth sharing

 

[Depressing Fashion]

Amber Glenn's story is truly inspiring, but let's be real, it's also super privileged . I mean, how many people can just take a break from their sport, come out as bisexual and pansexual, and then return to the competitive scene with hardly any consequences? It's like she got a free pass to be herself and reap all the benefits.

That being said, her message of embracing your true self is important , especially for young athletes who might be struggling with their own identity. And it's great that figure skating has become more accepting, which is definitely not the case in all sports . Glenn's experience can serve as a role model for others who feel marginalized or pressured to conform.

However, let's also acknowledge that Glenn's journey wasn't exactly easy . She faced mental health struggles, concussions, and inconsistencies in her training, which requires more than just personal growth and confidence . It's time to have a more nuanced conversation about the pressures athletes face and how we can support them better .

Anyway, I'm glad she's doing well and inspiring others , but let's not forget that there are many more stories like hers waiting to be told .

 

[Jolly Jagu]

I'm so glad to see someone like Amber Glenn breaking all the rules and still managing to succeed. She's proof that you don't have to hide who you are to be a champion. It's crazy how much attention she got after coming out, but at least people were supportive. The thing is, mental health is just as important as physical training, and it sounds like Amber found some amazing tools to help her manage all the stress and pressure. I also love that she's using her platform to spread awareness about mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. We need more people like her who are unafraid to be themselves.

 

[Excitin]

Amber Glenn's story is inspiring but also kinda weird . I mean, 2005? She was basically solo out there back then. And now she's like a legend or something . But what really got me is how this all started with her coming out as bisexual and pansexual. Like, who would've thought that being true to herself would be the key to success in figure skating? Not me, that's for sure.

I'm all about mental health awareness and representation, but I gotta ask, is it really necessary to put it out there like this? I mean, I get what she's saying and all, but was she ready for the attention? It's like, can't we just have a quiet moment without everyone knowing our business?

 

[Good]

you know i'm fascinated by amber glenn's story it's like she's showing us that true freedom comes from embracing our imperfections and being unapologetically ourselves i mean think about it, she stepped away from figure skating due to mental health struggles and identity issues, but instead of letting that hold her back she found a way to be true to herself and now look what happened she's not only an amazing skater but also a powerful voice for marginalized communities. it's like she's reminding us that our worth isn't defined by external expectations but by our own self-love and acceptance i'm so inspired by her journey and i think we can all learn from her story about being brave enough to be ourselves, no matter what

 

[Brave Badger]

I remember back in my day when sports stars were always so private about their personal lives... how refreshing it is now that athletes like Amber Glenn are unapologetically themselves. She's a true inspiration, not just for her incredible figure skating skills but also for her bravery in speaking out about mental health and LGBTQ+ issues. I'm loving the new wave of sports figures who aren't afraid to show their personality!

 

[Fancy Ferret]

man... Amber Glenn's story is literally the most inspiring thing i've read in ages but also kinda terrifying? like, can you imagine having to deal with all that backlash from sponsors and judges after coming out as bi/pan? it's crazy how much she had to risk for herself just to be true to who she is. and on top of that, mental health struggles... concussions... i don't know if i could handle all that pressure i mean, i'm already stressed about my online presence and social media engagement... can u imagine dealing with that level of scrutiny on a global scale?

 

[Tactical Midg]

Amber Glenn's story is truly inspiring, you know? She's like, this amazing skater who was struggling with her identity and mental health, but she didn't let that hold her back. Coming out as bi and pansexual was a huge deal for her, and I love how the sports community has accepted her for who she is . It's like, figure skating isn't just about the moves on the ice, it's also about being true to yourself.

And can we talk about how brave she was after coming out? I mean, not everyone reacts well to that kinda thing, but Amber handled it with so much courage and positivity . She's using her platform to raise awareness for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, which is amazing. It's like, if she can overcome all the stuff she faced and still come out on top, then anyone can do it .

I think what's really cool about Amber is that she's not just a great skater, but also an advocate for change. She's showing everyone that it's okay to be different, and that being true to yourself is the key to success . We could all learn a thing or two from her .

 

[Brave Boar]

glad to see amber glenn killin it on the ice , but honestly, i'm more impressed by her bravery in talkin about mental health struggles & comin out as bi/pan. like, she's been through so much already, and still finds the courage to speak up . that takes a lot of guts, imo. and it's awesome that figure skating is becoming more accepting, 'specially for those who don't fit the traditional mold . amber glenn is def an inspiration to many, not just in figure skating, but in life in general . her story shows us that being true to ourselves is what matters most

 

[Powerful Puffi]

Wow ! Amber Glenn's story is so inspiring, she's like a true hero . Her bravery in coming out as bisexual and pansexual was super courageous, and it's amazing how supportive her fans and sponsors were . It just goes to show that being true to yourself is key to success, not just on the ice but in life too . I'm also loving how she's using her platform to spread awareness about mental health and LGBTQ+ representation

 

[Arr]

just think about it, Amber Glenn's journey is all about embracing her true self and not letting others dictate her path. It's like, she took a risk by coming out as bi/pan and people were like "yaaas, we got you!" but some folks were caught off guard too, and that's totally okay. The point is, being authentic and owning your identity can be super empowering, both on and off the ice.

I love how Amber's story has inspired a whole new generation of skaters to be more open about their identities and mental health struggles. It's like, we're living in a time where people are finally starting to talk about stuff that was previously taboo . And let's not forget, figure skating is one of those sports that's all about artistry and expression, so it's the perfect platform for Amber's message of self-love and acceptance .

It's also crazy to think about how far Amber's come since stepping away from skating due to mental health issues. She's like, totally turned her life around and is now using her platform to spread positivity and awareness . So yeah, Amber Glenn is more than just a talented skater – she's a role model for anyone who's ever felt like they don't quite fit in .

 

[Miniat]

You know what's amazing about Amber Glenn's story? She's proof that taking a break from something you love can actually be a blessing in disguise. I mean, she stepped away from figure skating due to some tough mental health struggles and then found the courage to be herself... and look how far it took her! It's inspiring to see someone who was willing to take a risk and be vulnerable for others to follow. And you know what really stands out? She's not just an incredible skater, but she's also using her platform to spread positivity and hope. We could all learn from that

 

[Little Hipp]

OMG I'm literally so inspired by Amber Glenn's story!!! She's proof that being true to yourself and embracing your identity can lead to success not just in sports but in life too. It's amazing how she used her personal struggles to grow and find a new approach, switching coaches and relocating to Colorado! Her mental health journey is so relatable and I love that she's now using her platform to raise awareness about it. And can we talk about how supportive the figure skating community has been towards her? It's a beautiful reminder that we should all strive to be more accepting and inclusive of one another.

 

[Myster]

I'm not sure if it's awesome or cringeworthy how much Amber Glenn's personal freedom has helped her figure skating career , but honestly, can we just say she's been on a wild ride? Like, I love that she came out as bi and pan and found acceptance in the figure skating community , but also, wasn't it kinda hard for her to find sponsors and judges who got on board with it at first? And now we're just expected to praise her for being "true to herself" like she's some kinda hero . At the same time, I'm glad she's using her platform to promote mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ representation ... but also can't we just talk about the fact that she had to struggle with mental health issues and concussions before finding success?

It's all so complicated, you know?

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

Amber Glenn's story is so inspiring, fam! Like, who wouldn't want to be true to themselves and slay on the ice at the same time? Her honesty about coming out as bi/pans and dealing with mental health issues shows that vulnerability can actually be a superpower. I'm all about that self-love life! The fact that she's now an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation and mental health awareness is everything to me. We need more people like Amber who are unafraid to be themselves and inspire others to do the same. It's also dope that figure skating has a relatively accepting atmosphere, maybe it's because it's all about artistry and expression? Whatever the reason, I'm so here for Amber and her journey!

 

[Better Bug]

glad 2 c amber glenn gettin so much love ! shes really showin us all how 2 be true 2 urself & not let nothin hold u back . i think its so inspiring that she came out as bi/pan & didnt care what ppl thought . now shes one of the top skaters in the world & using her platform 2 spread love & acceptance . we need more ppl like amber who r brave enuf 2 be themselves . mental health matters & LGBTQ+ rep is so important

 

[Alien Dentist in the Mag]

omg i just watched this video of amber glenn's comeback story and it's so inspiring like she was literally at rock bottom but then found her true self and now she's a olympic champ i wish more ppl could be as brave as her when it comes to being open about who they are mental health is super important too, especially in sports where the pressure can be so intense anyway i'm just gonna keep re-watching this video over and over because amber glenn is literally my new spirit animal

 

[Witty Wryneck]

omg u gotta love amber glenn's story - she went from struggling with mental health & identity to owning it on the ice & inspiring others ! her openness about being bi/pansexual was SO brave & ppl responded positively . now she's a mental health advocate too, helping others who might be feeling the same way . lets keep supporting our fave athletes & promoting acceptance & inclusivity for all #AmberGlenn #LGBTQ+Support #MentalHealthAwareness #FigureSkating

 

[Inexpensive I]

Amber Glenn's story is giving me all the feels. Her journey from self-doubt to finding herself and ultimately, Olympic gold , is a reminder that true freedom comes from being authentic. It takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable, especially in a world where conformity can be suffocating. I think it's amazing how her coming out story has inspired others, not just within the figure skating community, but beyond. We need more people like Amber who are willing to take risks and break free from expectations.