3 Important Lessons Alysa Liu Has Taught Us!

Figure skater Alysa Liu brought home two gold medals from the 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win gold in the individual figuring skating event since 2002! With her effortless demeanor, unique hair, and contagious smile, Alysa charmed audiences and gained thousands of new fans all across the world.

Liu had retired from competition in 2022 at the age of 16 for being burned out and craving a "normal" life away from the ice. This year, she shocked both her coach and her fans when deciding to return to skating. However, this time she came into the competition with a new view of the sport and better-set boundaries -- things we can all apply to our own lives and learn from her example.

1. Respecting your own boundaries might just be the key to success.

When coming out of retirement, Liu had a set of conditions that should be met for her to continue competing: (1) No one will tell her what she can or can’t eat, (2) she gets to pick her own music, (3) she gets to help with the creative process of the program, and (4) she skates as much as she is comfortable with. This set of boundaries is what helped her continue to enjoy the sport and not burn out. We often think that setting boundaries closes doors to opportunities. But we should ask ourselves: would those opportunities even be worth taking if they cost us our well-being? An open door isn’t valuable if it drains you. Boundaries are incredibly important for us to stay consistent with something, whether it's a sport, a career, or a relationship.

2. It’s not just about winning or losing.

Liu has expressed that winning or losing doesn't affect her anymore; she wants to skate for the joy of it. She is not attached to the outcome. She believes that whatever happens is part of the journey and will give her a story to tell. Liu is incredibly talented, and that is evident through the various records she has broken. Her skillset is a large part of her accomplishments, but her detached mindset is what lets her flourish. When we let go of the outcome, we can be more present in the journey and give it our all without succumbing to pressure.

3. Authenticity is key.

With a smiley piercing and halo-striped hair, the figure skater has a unique look compared to her competitors. She skates like no one else because she is no one else. Former teammate Mariah Bellput it plainly: “Alysa does what Alysa wants to do (...) she is so uniquely and completely herself.” Liu will cheer loudly, let a curse word slip when the moment calls for it, and pull people into tight hugs. She does not care to dim herself for anyone’s comfort; her expressiveness is inspiring. There's something magnetic about a person who has stopped negotiating with the world over who they're allowed to be. Authenticity makes us freer and more open to living meaningfully, and it also can help us inspire others to do the same.