The unexpected gift we all got from Alyssa Liu

It’s already mid-March, and time is moving faster than ever.

I have to admit I had little interest in the winter Olympics. It feels like it’s become more about media overreach and less about sport.

That being said, as a dancer and former competitive athlete, figure skating always peaks my interest. For both the men and women, we got the usual onslaught of commentator nonsense and speculation. 

But then Alyssa Liu took to the ice. Her story had been widely publicized. A former champion forced to work under pressure from family, coaches, and the media, she finally had enough and took advantage of covid to take some time for herself.

Older, wiser, and less interested in what people thought, Alyssa Liu got back to what she loved, skating. This time, she was in charge, not her family, not her coaches, not the organizations, and not the pressure or expectations. 

She was back for one reason: she loves to skate, to show her real self, and to bring joy to the world. 

How much of our lives is dictated by external or internal expectations? Do we wake up feeling as if there is no spark left, just going through the motions of life,  that the goals we set have turned into another source of painful austerity? 

What does this have to do with Alyssa Liu?

Her ‘comeback’ wasn’t about winning or proving anything. It was about sharing her heart. I know what you are thinking because I was thinking the same: this is just media fodder, more ratings hype.

Then she took to the ice. I was mesmerized. Not by the extraordinary technical skill, power, and strength, but by the ease, the joy, and the pure heart. She was absolutely present and in each moment. 

We are so distracted all the time from ourselves and our environment. 

Everything is about building a brand or pushing ahead. The phone addiction literally keeps us out of the moment. We are no longer present, and have lost the prime point; when we lead with a pure heart and sincerity, do the work, and are intent on sharing rather than proving, the outcome is beyond anything we could have strategized or planned. 

It was a powerful reminder to step back and take a deep breath. A reminder to stop pushing so hard and instead let in the joy. Truly be in every moment. Lead with sincerity and heart.

As we all continue to navigate this state of global trauma, Alyssa Liu, in a 7-minute skate, brought us all back to earth, to our hearts, to ourselves. This is the power of sport. This is the power of art; this is the power of sincerity.

A reminder that is well suited at this moment in time.

This is how we Create Victory in Any Moment.