Alysa Liu’s Historic Comeback Wins Gold—and the World’s Heart

Alysa Liu inspired millions of people, including me, to follow her story. It's difficult not to be in awe of her passion for the ice and the powerful message she delivered at the Olympics: success isn't measured by medals, but by the joy you find in your craft. And she proved it on the biggest stage in the word. Before the Olympics, Liu had about 355,000 followers on Instagram; since her performance, more than 7 million have joined her journey, a testament to the impact of her comeback.

She first made history in 2019, becoming the youngest U.S. national figure skating champion at just 13 years old. Lui's success continued into the Beijing Olympic Games, where she helped Team USA earn a bronze medal and placed sixth in the women's singles competition—the highest finish among the U.S. skaters. She went on to win a bronze medal at the 2022 ISU World Championships before retiring from competitive skating at just 16 years old.

The decorated figure skater chose to put away her skates in pursuit of a normal life. Liu shared that skating had consumed nearly all of her time and identity. "I was so into skating that I really didn't do much else," she said. "Skating takes up your whole life, almost." Burned out and craving balance, she stayed off the ice for two years. She chose to pursue an education, prioritize her mental health and enjoy being a teenager alongside family and friends.

"Quitting was definitely, and still to this day, one of my best decisions ever," Liu admitted. "I just had to try a bunch of other things, and at the time, I thought the only way for me to do that was to leave because I really felt rapped and stuck." After years of having her schedule, wardrobe and diet dictated by coaches, she was eager to reclaim control over her life. Following her hiatus, Liu was inspired to return to the ice and announced her comeback in 2024.

This time, everything was different. She set her own schedule, picked her outfits, ate what she wanted, chose her own music, decided when to practice... she reclaimed control over her skating. Now, Lui approaches the ice as a passion, not an obligation, skating for the joy it brings. She plans to maintain the balanced life she built during her hiatus, prioritizing experiences beyond the rink.

Her return to the Olympics at the Milan Cortina Games was historic. Liu earned two gold medals, claiming first place in the Women's Singles figure skating event—becoming the first American woman to do so in 24 years—after helping Team USA secure gold in the Team Event. Alyssa Lui captivated the world with her joy as she won the women's singles title. And she did it on her own terms, skating her way.