"I skated every day when I was like 13, 14...Especially as a kid, you don't really know what you want. Skating feels more like a responsibility or a burden even. Like this is what I have to do."
"What I like to share about myself is my story, my art, and my creative process. Winning isn't all that. And neither is losing...What matters is the input and the journey."
Alysa Liu's career trajectory illustrates the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Early in her skating career, external pressures from her father and coaches fueled her success, making her the youngest U.S. Women's Figure Skating Champion at age 13. However, this external pressure eventually became burdensome, leading her to quit at 16. After two years away, Liu returned to skating with intrinsic motivation—driven by personal passion, creative expression, and love for the sport itself rather than external rewards. This shift in perspective enabled her remarkable comeback, culminating in an Olympic gold medal in 2026. Liu emphasizes that the journey and personal input matter more than winning or losing, demonstrating how intrinsic motivation sustains long-term excellence and joy.
#intrinsic-motivation #extrinsic-motivation #athletic-performance #figure-skating #personal-fulfillment
Read at Psychology Today
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