As Olympic figure skating champion Alysa Liu steps back into the spotlight, she reveals a past filled with extreme training methods and rules that now seem “insane.” In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, Liu opens up about the pressures she faced as a young athlete, including being told not to drink water for fear of “water weight.”
At just 13, Liu made history by becoming the youngest woman to win the U.S. figure skating championship. But as her star rose, so did the demands placed on her young shoulders. The intense pressure to control her weight took a toll, leading Liu to view skating more as work than passion.
After taking a hiatus following the 2022 Winter Olympics, Liu found herself drawn back to the ice during a family ski trip. With a renewed sense of purpose, she returned to competitive skating with clear boundaries in place. This time, she insisted on full control over her training, diet, music choices, and career decisions, keeping her father, who had previously managed her career, at arm’s length.
Liu’s new approach proved to be a game-changer. Critics were left in awe as she defied conventional wisdom and clinched double gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite indulging in pasta and chocolate cake before her performances. Liu’s unwavering determination and commitment to skating on her own terms have propelled her to new heights of success.
The story of Alysa Liu is not just one of athletic prowess, but of resilience and self-empowerment. As she continues to break barriers and defy expectations, Liu serves as a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from staying true to oneself.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.