I love the Olympics; I prefer the Summer Olympics, but I’ll still watch the Winter Olympics, and I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of days because of an individual who has quickly become the star of the show.

I think it’s safe to say that star Alysa Liu.

Coming into the Winter Olympics, Alysa’s story of stepping away from skating due to burnout and a lack of enjoyment in Beijing was well documented. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t following the ice skating world between the Olympics, so I didn’t know about her retirement at 16, and I don’t know what type of pushback she received from the skating community and fans when she decided to step away at such a young age. However, I can imagine it was a mix of support and negativity, which is crazy to me that anyone would have anything but support for the mature decision to prioritize her Self over her career.

When I heard her story, I naturally saw someone very connected to her Self and able to listen and trust her intuition.

Watching her skate, naturally, I saw nothing but authenticity and joy.

Listening to her in interviews, I still only heard authenticity and joy.

Her hair.
Her frenulum piercing.
Her love for the Bay Area.
Her “Ya’ll better turn up” message on the big screen at the rink.
Her saying she is connecting with a “hella ton of people”--embracing the Bay even more.
Her smile.
Her energy.

It is all genuine and authentic for her.

And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that authenticity and joy (and naturally a lot of hard work and discipline) led Alysa to a gold medal.

There’s something to be said about showing up fully as your Authentic Self to do something you are passionate about, knowing you’ve put in the hard work to be able to just go out and do it with joy in your heart.

Alysa showed that it can bring you an unexpected gold medal and change your life.

I’m sure there will be some purists who don’t like her story, or her hair, or her piercing, or her yelling out “That’s what I’m f**cking talking about!” on live TV after completing her routine because she doesn’t fit the mold that has always been women’s ice skating.

Well, like it or not, she’s not going to change–thankfully.

She just showed the world and a generation of young women that they can show up as their Authentic Selves and thrive.

And I’m all for more people showing up as their Authentic Selves, doing what they love with joy in their hearts, and allowing everything to fall into place.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC