In January 2026, Sharyn Alfonsi, a veteran correspondent for the renowned American news program 60 Minutes, interviewed U.S. figure skating champion Liu Meixian (often referred to as Alysa Liu). At the time, Alysa Liu was undergoing grueling training to make a comeback for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
On camera, she was seen attempting highly complicated jumps on the ice over and over again, falling repeatedly, only to get back up and continue practicing. She was attempting the extremely difficult triple-and-a-half jump in women’s figure skating: spinning three and a half times in the air and landing on just one foot — the slightest loss of balance would result in a hard fall. Seeing this, the host couldn’t help but remark, “This is exactly what it takes to become a champion!”
In competitive sports and the performing arts, people often see only the moment of glory, yet rarely witness the hardships behind it. They behold the gold medals, the applause, and flowers, but overlook the countless falls and the shedding of sweat and tears during long, arduous training. As the old saying goes, “One minute on stage, after ten years of practice behind the scenes.” A true champion isn’t just characterised via outstanding technique; more importantly, it’s about a mindset — one that doesn’t back down in the face of setbacks and persists even in the face of pain.
…
Read the full article on Nspirement
Comments