Category: Figure Skating

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How to Find Your Motivation When the Rinks are Closed

I hope that you are doing well, staying physically distant, but socially connected.

Are you at home all day, with a little (or a lot) of time on your hands? Is it just now sinking in that this is “temporary normal” is not going to be over tomorrow?

As a mindset coach, you come here for expert advice. While I can’t fix this situation, I hope you find some food for thought. A way to begin to shift your perspective if you desire. Continue reading “How to Find Your Motivation When the Rinks are Closed”

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How to Get Back on Track When the Rinks Are Closed

The gift of adversity

I hope you are thriving, or taking baby steps in that direction in this time of the unknown.

I’ve been checking in with my students all over the world. Most of their rinks are closed. The rest report their rinks will close soon. Just like you. 

Before I give you a tip about tackling the unknown, I’d like to tell you a real story about a gift I received from this adversity. Continue reading “How to Get Back on Track When the Rinks Are Closed”

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For Consistent Jumps, Just Do the Jump

Doubling Down or Downing the Double

It’s time for Skatergirl to work on her jumps again, another chance to make her jump consistent. This time, she is working on her double axel. She does a backspin, then a few single axels to warm-up. Alright, she feels ready to go.

She gears up for the double axel. It is executed very well, almost axel-lent, one might say. The takeoff is smooth, the landing is solid. Skatergirl feels great.

Coach, wants her to do three double axels before her lesson.

“One down, two more to go,” she thinks to herself.

She takes a deep breath and starts the approach for the next jump. She feels a little nervous, “will the next axel be as good as the first?” She certainly hopes so.

Continue reading “For Consistent Jumps, Just Do the Jump”
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If I Have Doubts About Skating, Can I Still Be Great?

When the Confidence Pops

They say that self-confidence is the best outfit you can wear, but Skatergirl feels like hers doesn’t fit anymore.

Her thoughts are no longer in the present. She used to be a good skater.

She thinks of her accomplishments. She won regionals as a Juvenile and went on to qualify for Sectionals as a Novice. One year, she made it all the way to nationals. But then things started falling apart.

The high mountain she was excited to climb seems to be plateauing. Did she already reach her peak?

Continue reading “If I Have Doubts About Skating, Can I Still Be Great?”
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Three Sides to Skating Success: Technical, Physical and Mental

Stuck in the Mind-mud

Another season was over. It ended just like the two seasons before.

Each of the seasons started off well. Skatergirl was fresh after a break and felt motivated. She knew her goals for the season and was dead set on reaching them.

Her goals were simple:

  1. Land the triple salchow and triple toe loop consistently.
  2. Qualify for sectionals.

However, by the time the end of the season rolled around, she still wasn’t consistent landing her triples and was no closer to qualifying.

She didn’t understand it – what could be missing?

Continue reading “Three Sides to Skating Success: Technical, Physical and Mental”