We could all learn something from Olympic champion Alysa Liu’s commitment to rest
Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu is taking a break from competitive skating to focus on personal growth and skill refinement. Her decision highlights a growing trend among elite athletes to prioritize mental health and rest over continuous competition.
Why it matters
The shift in how elite athletes manage their careers reflects a broader cultural change regarding burnout and the sustainability of high-performance lifestyles.
Alysa Liu is not competing in the 2026 to 2027 figure skating season. Tang Xinyu/VCG via Getty Images Alysa Liu is taking another step back from competitive figure skating. In 2022, she quit because she was miserable. This time, she's breaking to 'fine-tune' her skating. It could be a step towards normalizing resting before you're so exhausted your body forces you to. Alysa Liu is taking a break from competitive figure skating, but not because she's burned out. The 21-year-old Olympic champion wrote on Instagram that she will be sitting out next year's season to focus on personal growth and fine-tune her skating and artistry. She told NBC Sports on Tuesday: "I really want to improve my skating, and I wanted to take the time to do that for myself and just to evolve, and then I'll be back after that is done."
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