What is a level playing field for figure skating? Why do we care about some advantages in sports but not others?
Erica Rand shares ideas from her new book “Skating Away from the Binary” - more in the full episode here: youtu.be/6B1pls-eBls?...
Episode 61: Erica Rand’s new book is ‘Skating Away from the Binary’. It looks at our struggle to be allowed to compete as a gender-nonconforming pair team, and examines issues around gender binaries, sports, and politics in a very accessible way.
youtu.be/6B1pls-eBls?...
Who does the ISU Athlete Commission really represent? I wrote a short piece about the continued flaws in the elections process ko-fi.com/Post/Is-the-...
Circular pin with pale purple outer ring surrounding dark purple circle, text in silver nickel reads the future of figure skating
Circular pin with dark metal outer ring surrounding concentric circles of pale blue white and pink enamel. In the center, the silhouette of a skate in the metal, with ice is for everyone written in white enamel.
Both pins
Show your support for healthier, more inclusive, and more joyful figure skating with a pin (or 2)!
These special edition enamel pins ship worldwide, or can be picked up at Euros, Olys, Worlds, etc.
ko-fi.com/futureoffigu...
“Injury prevention is a lifestyle” : Dr Ami Parekh shares lessons learned as an elite skater and physical rehabilitation doctor. More in episode 60: youtu.be/MOouEgSLzfA?...
I wrote about how the conversation with Ami Parekh continues themes from several earlier episodes, including Asian representation, training for longevity, and the need for both more figure skating-specific research and more learning from other sports.
ko-fi.com/post/Episode...
New episode 📣 At the World Championships, Dr Ami Parekh @AmiParekh1 made history for India 🇮🇳. Now, as a doctor and the executive director of the Chicago Youth Foundation, she is making skating healthier and more inclusive!
youtu.be/MOouEgSLzfA
The Queer FS News Round-Up: a new feature, available (for free) on the FoFS Ko-Fi!
ko-fi.com/post/The-Que...
Jimmy Morgan explains why skaters benefit from having goals beyond mastering technical skills. More in episode 59 youtu.be/QGegMlHfET8?...
British Ice Skating is now allowing same-sex ice dance! 🥳
www.iceskating.org.uk/post/updates...
Finlandia Trophy is over; the ice dance controversy is not - by @choreosequence.bsky.social
anythinggoe.com/finlandia-tr...
Loved talking to Jimmy Morgan about showcase competitions, queerness in art, the inherent unfairness of sport, and what would make skating popular!
youtu.be/QGegMlHfET8?...
Stéphane shares his hopes for the future of figure skating!
Full episode: youtu.be/kyDGxyhIcww?...
A group of 20+ people holding trans pride flags
This beautiful group of people came together at Skate America to show their solidarity with trans figure skaters harmed by the new US figure skating policy and to protest the bigoted and dehumanizing attacks on trans people in our communities.
Trans Skaters Share Fear, Anger at New US Figure Skating Policy - by @choreosequence.bsky.social
anythinggoe.com/trans-skater...
How can we fight anti-trans policies 🏳️⚧️ and make figure skating a community that welcomes everyone? Grace McKensie shares her experience as a trans women athlete and the founder of @RUGBYforALL
youtu.be/lgtcGR0bd6U
Great episode from @futureoffs.bsky.social in which Stéphane and Christopher talk about coaching, the devaluing of artistry, their vision for the sport, and Stéphane going on a rant about music rights.
Also starringt: an angry bird that made Chris lose his train of thought
tinyurl.com/4r2xskhz
Episode 55: Louise Walden-Edwards’ new book, “Ice Dream Sundays,” aims to inspire young skaters and promote inclusivity in sports. I loved hearing about the many ways Louise is working to welcome people of all backgrounds and abilities to the ice!
youtu.be/VLR8fUG8hW0
Cover image for episode 54 featuring Robin Cousins, a smiling white man with grey hair and a black coat, in front of a purple background
Robin Cousins (1980 Olympic champion, president of British Ice Skating) has lots of ideas for how to make skating popular youtu.be/jHgI5n_wdDw
A very fun interview for our 50th episode! Gary Beacom is one of the most creative skaters ever - and he is still driven by a passion for performing, experimenting and sharing his skills around the world.
youtu.be/1pUho2J5z80
GOEing Into Detail: 🇫🇮 Emma Aalto & Millie Colling
@choreosequence.bsky.social talked to Finland's first same-gendered ice dance team about how their partnership came to be and the start of their competitive journey together
youtu.be/soW97T8jNk0
An article about the ISU's Worlds changes & other initiatives. "Next on the agenda: a pivotal ISU Extraordinary Congress on July 3, 2025, which will focus on the further modernization and a full revision of the ISU Constitution, aimed at accelerating the sport’s growth." www.isu.org/news/a-bold-...
Filip reflects on his mental health practices, balancing support and self-reliance. I have so much respect for the Taschlers’ approach to mental health and sharing the lessons they are each learning! Full interview: youtu.be/pW-BS2_gj7I?...
Finland has a competitive junior ice dance team with two women!! So thrilled for Millie and Emma and major kudos to Neil Brown and Finnish Skating for making this possible!
www.instagram.com/p/DKkOgA6IUG...
Natálie Tascherlová is sharing her story and helping to show young skaters they can be themselves on the ice 👏👏👏 full episode: youtu.be/pW-BS2_gj7I
New interview with the Taschlers out today! 🎉Fan favorites, advocates for mental health, and all-around awesome people: youtu.be/pW-BS2_gj7I
Young coaches can help change the culture of the sport, and make rinks the safe spaces they should be.
Hear more from Olivia Oliver and Solène Mazingue in episode 48 youtu.be/grACfoFD0Sk
An in-depth look at Gabriella Papadakis & Madison Hubbell's decision to skate together for Art on Ice, and how it fits into the evolution of their sport: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olymp...
Solène Mazingue and Olivia Oliver are ice dancers who have become fierce advocates for their fellow survivors of sexual assault. youtu.be/grACfoFD0Sk
What was helpful for me when I was skating, was that I lived with a host family...l would come home and they would be like, we're doing family board game night, if you want to play games with us... they knew about my skating but they weren't going to not allow me to play the board game because l fell on my throw. If had a bad day at skating today and I fell on everything, my home life was still the same. People still cared about me.
I remember l would text some of my friends that I knew outside of skating. And I was like, 'would you still be my friend if I did bad at competition?' And they were like, 'we literally don't care about your competition. Yes.' I think a lot of it's just knowing that nothing changes for you in your life if ice skating doesn't go well.
I don't think it's like that for some kids. I think if they don't do well at skating, their parents are mad at them or their home life changes and they're not given the same love and support. I think that's what where things get really tough, if you feel like your worth off the ice is directly related to your worth on the ice.
![That's something I try to tell my skaters as well, that it's okay [to make mistakes].
'You fell, it's fine. You're going to go to school tomorrow. You're still going to have to take the same test. Nothing changes. I still like you. I'll still teach you.'
So l try to just make sure they understand that.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:caojxy3pm4njusbi75s2va75/bafkreigt2l6kq4sbbkf52mlnwl6bzit7ukh4bneoo3veincs3p2ywawtea)
That's something I try to tell my skaters as well, that it's okay [to make mistakes]. 'You fell, it's fine. You're going to go to school tomorrow. You're still going to have to take the same test. Nothing changes. I still like you. I'll still teach you.' So l try to just make sure they understand that.
Pairs champion-turned-coach Tarah Kayne discussed mental health and the importance of connections and validation outside of skating.
Family, friends, coaches can all help ensure that self-worth doesn’t depend on what happens on the ice.
Full episode: youtu.be/0hFapwdGAPU?...
