Lace up those figure skates and get ready to glide, because today, we’re diving into the magnificent world of professional figure skating, emphasizing the mental health message championed by this year’s Let’s Move campaign. This campaign encourages everyone to bring a +1 to every workout, and who better to share that journey with than a training partner?
On World Mental Health Day, Olympians reveal the mental health benefits of pairing up during practice. Pairing up with a practice partner can significantly boost motivation. Just ask Germany’s Nikita Volodin, who cites his ice dance partner Minerva Fabienne Hase as a driving force in his training routines. Volodin explains, “When you know your partner is counting on you, it pushes you to show up,” emphasizing a vital aspect of not just physical health, but mental resilience.
For Hase, the dynamic is similar. She gains motivation from Volodin’s relentless commitment on days when her energy dwindles. “I don’t want to be the weak link,” she notes, a sentiment echoed by many skaters who thrive in supportive communities. Exercise, in the ice rink, mirrors life—realizing the impact of teamwork not only enhances skill development but also deepens one’s mental fortitude.
Champions Apolo Ohno and Ian Baranski can join this dialogue as well, relaying their formache route through rocky terrains, pushing each other to achieve Olympic highs together. Ohno reflects on pivotal training memories that inhabit many prominent moments of his career—a testament to how community uplifts individual athletes.
The camaraderie isn’t just pivotal in figure skating. Saudi Arabia’s Husein Alireza, who reaped enormous benefits training with fellow rower Kara Kohler, echoes this experience. He attests to the exponential growth experienced when paired with motivated training companions. Their influence is potent, leading to technical skill improvement and solidifying mental health benefits gained through motivate competition.
As athletes sound the alarm on the importance of a solid support structure, we can see that it is not merely the hours of practice that shape a star. It is the community, the friends, and connections built along the way that fortify each glide across the rink, ensuring resilience and mental well-being for elite figure skaters and sports competitors alike.
So, remember—whether you’re sliding on ice or diving into a different sport, find your +1. It’s a game changer!
