What Ilia and Alysa Taught Us at the Winter Olympics #MusicMonday
Mental Wellness Wins …
Source: Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash
Like many of us, I've been on a non-stop scroll through my social feeds watching the Winter Olympics. I've been particularly mesmerized by the figure skating competition and two of its key figures: Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin. There's a lot we can learn from both of them.
Ilia Malinin: Grace Under Pressure.
First Ilia, branded the "Quad God." He came into the Olympics as the favorite. He was the sure thing and everyone expected him to dominate. Even Vegas.
The expectations on him were heavy and the pressure was relentless and he faltered, placing eighth overall. It was a fall from grace that could have crushed him.
Instead, watch what he did: no temper tantrums, no blame game, just accountability and soul-searching. With his head held high, he showed up all week for his teammates and made a comeback appearance at the Skating Gala that reminded everyone why he belongs in this sport.
Mental wellness.
Alysa Liu: Choosing Your Own Path.
Then you have Alysa Liu. Read her story and you understand something about pressure that most of us learn too late.
After great success at a very early age, she retired at 16 because the intensity was too much. She came back two years later because she loves the sport, but she came back on her own terms. She said NO to the pressure and NO to the expectations. She just wanted to skate, her way.
She chooses the music, the choreography, the schedules, and the discipline. Including when and what she eats, by the way.
So she didn't come to the Olympics to win a medal. She came to perform and to showcase her artistry. To be present on the world’s biggest sports stage.
Mental wellness.
Then Something Magical Happened.
Her performance at the Olympics was other worldly. Set to an edited version of "MacArthur Park Suite" by Donna Summer, a 17-minute epic song from 47 years ago. It’s legendary. As the music boomed through the arena and Donna's voice filled the enormous space, Alysa glided across the ice soaring with every word and every beat. She was floating from end to end on the rink. The audience was captivated.
It was pure joy, like we have not seen before.
The result: a gold medal. Millions of video views the next day. "MacArthur Park" back in the top 10 across every streaming service. A #1 song from 1978 that hadn't charted in decades suddenly everywhere again. TikTok videos of people dancing to the song.
That's the power of pure joy. That's what happens when you stop performing for others and start performing for yourself.
Two Paths. One Lesson.
Ilia learned to fail gracefully and own it. Alysa learned to succeed on her own terms. Two very different Olympic stories with two very different outcomes but both rooted in the same thing: honoring your mental wellness. Respecting your limits and moving forward your way.
That's leadership and courage. Hopefully that’s what the next generation of athletes are going to carry forward. Hopefully all of us can carry that forward in our own work.
Mental wellness.
What's your experience? JIM