We don’t have to suffer to be successful anymore
By Karina Perez, March 10, 2026
The key to success has never been clearer with 20–year–old figure skater Alysa Liu, who taught us that there is no greater reward than being authentically yourself in the face of greed and toxicity that comes from the world of sports.
It is so unsettling how much pressure can be put on young talent. It’s almost like sharks in the water, waiting to catch their prey in a vulnerable moment. With social media on the rise, with multiple platforms and counting, the hustle to bring home the win has never been greater.
Many people, whether it be your coaches, teammates or even your own parents, focus on networking your talent instead of appreciating it. It completely takes away the joy and you start to grow resentful.
Extreme-level situations, like the Olympics, are infamous for putting high expectations on their athletes. A study shared that 34% of active athletes are likely to experience struggles regarding mental health according to Athletes For Hope.
I’m not denying the fact that the Olympics has been a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents; however, it’s hard to deny the stress that athletes have to endure in order to win for their country, some who almost die trying.
“There’s this belief that you have to suffer in order to be really good and Alysa Liu portrays that you don’t have to and get the same results,” said Juan Ramos, a cross country and track and field athlete who is an anthropology student.
There’s something so incredibly genuine about leaving something you thought would stay in the past just to come back to it with even more love and admiration. The life of an athlete is a game of “Should I stay or should I go?” The commitment to staying in a sport is never an easy decision. Whether an athlete leaves from injury, retirement or a decline in passion, the mentality of an athlete never really leaves.
After retiring at just 16 years old, Liu has made Winter Olympic history becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist, one for team USA and the other for women’s individual singles event, becoming the first woman from the U.S. since 2002 to do so, according to NBC.
In an interview with the TODAY show, Liu said she wouldn’t change the road of rediscovery for figure skating, trusting the process was necessary.
“People ask me all the time, ‘What would you say to your younger self?’” Liu said. “Like, nothing. She’s got it. She’ll figure it out.”
The road to the Winter Olympics was not without great sacrifice. Liu was 13 years old when she was recognized as the youngest U.S. figure skating champion, according to NBC. This became a ripple effect of never-ending mental health battles. After winning bronze at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing she took a hiatus in pursuit of a life outside figure skating.
Before taking the stage at the Milan Winter Olympics this year, two years prior, Liu took a ski trip and rekindled her love of the sport and decided it was time to come back, according to NBC.
With a different headspace but the same love for figure skating, Liu was unstoppable.
Liu is currently a UCLA psychology student, according to the College of Life Sciences. I think the media tries to advertise her as this “young prodigy” making her “comeback of the decade” but what makes her so likeable is really how down to earth she is. She is like every other young adult navigating her identity and how she embraces her pop rock alternative style is a huge indicator.
“Even if you don’t love or play sports, you see athletes all the time say something inspirational and people look up to that,” said Noah Ko, a soccer player and kinesiology student. “Putting your mental health first over pleasing everyone is important and I think (Alysia Liu) demonstrates that.”
As a dancer, I had a difficult time letting go of what could’ve been. I stopped dancing in my sophomore year of high school due to the extreme pressures my coaches put on me and the verbal abuse I endured. I fell out of love with dance, which I didn’t think was possible.
Approaching my last semester at CPP, I realized dance was never the problem. I recently took my first class, and it felt like I had never left the dance floor. Making the decision to stop dancing was probably one of the hardest I’ve had to make in my life. Liu’s story helped me understand the dancer in me never really left but was waiting patiently for me to be ready to come back on my own terms.
To be vulnerable in the public eye is intimidating, but Liu does it with such ease. It truly makes a difference taking a step back and asking yourself, “Do I really want this?” For her, it was a no-brainer.
Not to mention, Liu challenges the “standard” physical look of a figure skater. Paired with her iconic blonde striped hair and frenulum piercing, also known as “smiley,” she became the poster child for uniqueness and open creativity.
Liu’s performance at the 2026 Exhibition Gala was like watching happiness on ice. You can just see the joy radiating off her body and the ease of hitting her triple axel while simultaneously interacting with the crowd.
Her music choice for all her Olympic performances, specifically her routine to “Stateside” (With Zara Larsson) by Pink Pantheress, has also been a gateway for expression that has made its way to Tik Tok and is now a dance trend.
Many have come to social media, often to rage bait and critique her, simply because of her talents. This is also a contributing factor to how athletes are seen in the public eye. It’s hard for any one to receive online criticism but especially when it goes beyond just your talents. Whether you like her or not, her authenticity has people raving over figure skating and the world of sports. So, to those who left disparaging comments, make sure to also include a two-time olympic gold medalist next to it.
Feature graphic courtesy of Connor Lalea Hampton
