- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
Kamila Valieva
- Thread starter Spirals for Miles
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview
Kamila had a wonderful podcast interview lasting more than 30 minutes. Not only did she share a lot of interesting things and wonderful experiences, her humor and decent conversation also made Kamibots bathed in beautiful and pleasant voices.
I will post the English translation in several parts. There may be mistakes, please forgive me and welcome to correct it in the comments.
Please also feel free to repost the article or use it as content, but please indicate the source.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive
PS: The two hosts are abbreviated as Forbes' "F" in this article
Sports and lifestyle - what they mean for Kamila Valieva
0:55 - 3:23
Forbes: --Today, we’ll discuss how regular training can be the key to finding and achieving balance, success, and harmony. And with us is one of the brightest figures in modern sports, the silver medalist of the Russian Championship, the Junior World Champion, the winner of the Junior Grand Prix Final of the 2019-2020 season, figure skater Kamila Valieva.
Hello. Hi, Kamila.
Kamila: --Hello.
F: --Kamila, so, we’re talking about sport as a lifestyle. What does lifestyle mean to you? Let’s agree on the definitions first. And then you can tell us what sport means.
Kamila: --Lifestyle? I think a lifestyle is a healthy way of living, some kind of self-awareness, understanding what you do, why you do it, and simply enjoying it. Combining everything together.
F: --And sport?
Kamila: --Sport is life.
F: --Aha. Sport is life. So, lifestyle is the style of sport, right?
Kamila: -- (Lol), It’s a bit confusing.
F: --Interesting.
F: --So, sport is your profession, your work, it’s truly your entire life. How much space does sport occupy in your life as more of a leisure activity, entertainment, or as a way to relax? Like how people go to the gym to unwind after work. How does it all come together for you?
Kamila: --Actually, I love it. I love any kind of sport for leisure. I enjoy going to tennis, dancing. Even though dancing isn’t really a sport, but still. And, in general, I’m all for any opportunity for active rest. Although, my friends, who are also athletes, don’t always support me in this. They say, "Well, Kamila, you want to? Okay, go ahead. You go alone. Go there and tell us how it was." But I love it. For me, for example, the gym is like a form of relaxation, not training. I just enjoy the moment.
F: --Oh, and when it’s a training session, like a real workout, do you switch your attitude internally? Do you count something in your head?
Kamila: --Yes, yes. A workout is my job. On the other hand, I love figure skating, but there are moments when it’s purely work-related. When you’re preparing for competitions, when you’re performing, there’s always a sense of responsibility, and it feels more like a job. But everything else, when you step off the ice, out of the arena, that’s it. Then it’s sport for myself.
F: --Interesting.
Kamila had a wonderful podcast interview lasting more than 30 minutes. Not only did she share a lot of interesting things and wonderful experiences, her humor and decent conversation also made Kamibots bathed in beautiful and pleasant voices.I will post the English translation in several parts. There may be mistakes, please forgive me and welcome to correct it in the comments.
Please also feel free to repost the article or use it as content, but please indicate the source.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archivePS: The two hosts are abbreviated as Forbes' "F" in this article
Sports and lifestyle - what they mean for Kamila Valieva0:55 - 3:23
Forbes: --Today, we’ll discuss how regular training can be the key to finding and achieving balance, success, and harmony. And with us is one of the brightest figures in modern sports, the silver medalist of the Russian Championship, the Junior World Champion, the winner of the Junior Grand Prix Final of the 2019-2020 season, figure skater Kamila Valieva.
Hello. Hi, Kamila.
Kamila: --Hello.
F: --Kamila, so, we’re talking about sport as a lifestyle. What does lifestyle mean to you? Let’s agree on the definitions first. And then you can tell us what sport means.
Kamila: --Lifestyle? I think a lifestyle is a healthy way of living, some kind of self-awareness, understanding what you do, why you do it, and simply enjoying it. Combining everything together.
F: --And sport?
Kamila: --Sport is life.
F: --Aha. Sport is life. So, lifestyle is the style of sport, right?
Kamila: -- (Lol), It’s a bit confusing.
F: --Interesting.
F: --So, sport is your profession, your work, it’s truly your entire life. How much space does sport occupy in your life as more of a leisure activity, entertainment, or as a way to relax? Like how people go to the gym to unwind after work. How does it all come together for you?
Kamila: --Actually, I love it. I love any kind of sport for leisure. I enjoy going to tennis, dancing. Even though dancing isn’t really a sport, but still. And, in general, I’m all for any opportunity for active rest. Although, my friends, who are also athletes, don’t always support me in this. They say, "Well, Kamila, you want to? Okay, go ahead. You go alone. Go there and tell us how it was." But I love it. For me, for example, the gym is like a form of relaxation, not training. I just enjoy the moment.
F: --Oh, and when it’s a training session, like a real workout, do you switch your attitude internally? Do you count something in your head?
Kamila: --Yes, yes. A workout is my job. On the other hand, I love figure skating, but there are moments when it’s purely work-related. When you’re preparing for competitions, when you’re performing, there’s always a sense of responsibility, and it feels more like a job. But everything else, when you step off the ice, out of the arena, that’s it. Then it’s sport for myself.
F: --Interesting.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview 
Do skaters go to the rink in their normal life
How Kamila rests
Why only sport as a recreation is not always a good thing
03:29 - 06:04
F: --I’ve always wanted to ask, do figure skaters go to regular ice rinks?
Kamila: --I love it. I just love it. Again, my athlete friends just don’t understand why. "Why are you going there?" New Year’s Eve, December 31st. For a couple of years now, we’ve been performing in shows. On December 31st at 3 PM, we finish the show. By 6 PM, I tell my mom, grab friends who aren’t figure skaters or athletes, and say, "Let’s go to the rink." And since 2020, every December 31st, we go to VDNKh. Last year, we decided to go to Gorky Park instead of VDNKh. It’s become a tradition, like a custom.
F: --That’s great. A tradition that won’t let you accidentally fly off to St. Petersburg on New Year's Eve. Okay, let me ask from a different angle. Besides sports and the gym, what else is part of your routine, rest, and relaxation?
Kamila: --Well, I think I’m discovering that right now. I’ve started walking more, spending more time with friends who aren’t from the sports world. It just happened, and I’m really glad about it. Because of sports, I’ve been able to meet people from different fields. For example, I have a friend who’s a stylist, and she tells incredible stories about books and theaters. And now we try to go to the theater together. We’re developing in other areas because sport limits you to certain frames. You just don’t have the energy left. You’re always in your own world, focused on yourself. But now we’re broadening our horizons.
F: --And what did you like most from what you’ve read recently or seen on stage?
Kamila: --I really liked “Yesenin’s Girl”
F: --Oh, I know an actress who plays in that!
Kamila: --Yes, and I loved the production. It looked incredibly grand. Things were constantly changing, and the acting was amazing. But I haven’t seen much, to be honest. Unfortunately, I’m just starting to catch up now. As for books, my friend gives me recommendations, but right now, I’m mostly focused on psychology. Wait, wait, I have a couple of books, and then I’ll start reading fiction.
F: --What’s interesting in psychology?
Kamila: --Well, it’s basic stuff, like Nessy's work. That’s really the basics. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. That’s basic too.
F: --“How to want to become a businessman when you’re 13”
Kamila: --Yes, exactly, something like that.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)
Do skaters go to the rink in their normal life How Kamila rests
Why only sport as a recreation is not always a good thing
03:29 - 06:04
F: --I’ve always wanted to ask, do figure skaters go to regular ice rinks?
Kamila: --I love it. I just love it. Again, my athlete friends just don’t understand why. "Why are you going there?" New Year’s Eve, December 31st. For a couple of years now, we’ve been performing in shows. On December 31st at 3 PM, we finish the show. By 6 PM, I tell my mom, grab friends who aren’t figure skaters or athletes, and say, "Let’s go to the rink." And since 2020, every December 31st, we go to VDNKh. Last year, we decided to go to Gorky Park instead of VDNKh. It’s become a tradition, like a custom.
F: --That’s great. A tradition that won’t let you accidentally fly off to St. Petersburg on New Year's Eve. Okay, let me ask from a different angle. Besides sports and the gym, what else is part of your routine, rest, and relaxation?
Kamila: --Well, I think I’m discovering that right now. I’ve started walking more, spending more time with friends who aren’t from the sports world. It just happened, and I’m really glad about it. Because of sports, I’ve been able to meet people from different fields. For example, I have a friend who’s a stylist, and she tells incredible stories about books and theaters. And now we try to go to the theater together. We’re developing in other areas because sport limits you to certain frames. You just don’t have the energy left. You’re always in your own world, focused on yourself. But now we’re broadening our horizons.
F: --And what did you like most from what you’ve read recently or seen on stage?
Kamila: --I really liked “Yesenin’s Girl”
F: --Oh, I know an actress who plays in that!
Kamila: --Yes, and I loved the production. It looked incredibly grand. Things were constantly changing, and the acting was amazing. But I haven’t seen much, to be honest. Unfortunately, I’m just starting to catch up now. As for books, my friend gives me recommendations, but right now, I’m mostly focused on psychology. Wait, wait, I have a couple of books, and then I’ll start reading fiction.
F: --What’s interesting in psychology?
Kamila: --Well, it’s basic stuff, like Nessy's work. That’s really the basics. “Rich Dad, Poor Dad”. That’s basic too.
F: --“How to want to become a businessman when you’re 13”
Kamila: --Yes, exactly, something like that.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
Is professional sport equal to isolation from the outside world?06:09 - 07:18
F: --Liza Tuktamysheva once told us that when you’re in professional sports, stepping out into the outside world and interacting beyond sports, having friends outside of sports, is really hard. She described it as feeling like a kitten in a big, scary world. How do you manage stepping out into the world?
Kamila: --I completely agree with her, because when you come into groups where people aren’t from sports, sports still come up, and you start talking about nutrition, training, and you might touch on some topics. But for people outside of sports, sometimes our topics and little obsessions, so to speak, are just not understandable. You sit there, and it’s a bit hard to keep up with the conversation because, frankly, you haven’t seen certain things because you were training, you haven’t read certain things because you were recovering from training, and you just didn’t have time for it. So, yes, you do feel a bit like a kitten, but over time you start to understand more about what people are talking about, and you start contributing yourself. It kind of gives you the motivation to not limit yourself to just sports.
100 grams of weight plus, and they already tell you: “Why did you gain weight?”
F: --You mentioned nutrition, and how when you gather with other athletes, you talk about it. But lifestyle includes nutrition as well. How are things going for you in that regard? Are you on a strict diet? Have you discovered any tips that you can share with our listeners? And is there any "forbidden" food that you can’t live without, something you negotiate with yourself to allow?
Kamila: --Well, in professional sports, it’s not really about health. The way we maintained our weight and the way we ate left much to be desired. I can speak for myself—I was a kid, and even though I tried to focus on healthy eating, we were still weighed every day at lunch. And if you were up 100 or 200 grams, they would say, “What’s going on? Why did you gain weight?” You constantly kept yourself in check, and you’d stop looking at food in terms of health and more in terms of quantity. Like, should I eat a piece of chocolate or a piece of meat? For your mental state, sugar and the endorphins it brings are what you need. So you think, “Yes, yes, better to eat the chocolate; it's smaller than the piece of meat.” Over time, when you hit adolescence, you get used to eating in a way that’s not really healthy.
F: --It becomes a compromise, right?
Kamila: --Yes, exactly. And then you stop being so physically active, you start to put on weight, and eventually, you realize you’ve been doing something wrong. Now, I just stick to healthy eating without restrictions. Restrictions lead to breakdowns—serious breakdowns. Any kind of restriction. It's like when they say, “Don’t think about a pink elephant.”
F: --And what do you think of? A pink elephant.
Kamila: --Exactly. "I won’t eat sugar, I won’t eat this or that," and then you end up walking around thinking, “Where’s my sugar?”
F: --Craving that chocolate bar.
Kamila: --Yes, craving that chocolate bar. One of my friends, who’s not in sports, says, “I eat when I want to.” And honestly, I think that’s the right approach. And not in large amounts—just when you want to. The ideal plate is probably 50% vegetables, then protein and carbs. That’s great. And if you want that chocolate, eat it. Maybe you don’t want it today, or tomorrow, but a week later, you’re under your blanket with a massive bag of...
F: --Chocolate.
Kamila: --Yes, chocolates delivered to your door.
F: --How do you handle that mentally? It sounds... well, it sounds tough at the very least.
Kamila: --It was tough. In my opinion, you have to pay a price for everything. But no, now the most important thing is to stabilize everything and build a healthy relationship with food, without any obsessions, and everything will be fantastic.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
Kamila Valieva's typical day and what does Telegram have to do with it?10:38 - 12:41
F: --Tell us about your typical day. First of all, do you have days off?
Kamila: --Now I have more of them.
F: --More now?
Kamila: --Yes.
F: --So there are workdays and there are days off, is that correct?
Kamila: --Yes.
F: --So tell us, what is your workday like, and what does your day off consist of? Well, today is a day off... though not really anymore.For our listeners, it’s Sunday today, right?
Kamila: --It seems like it, yes.
F: --So how do your workdays and days off differ?
Kamila: --On a regular workday, I still try to go to the gym, do some training, meet friends. They’re almost the same—my workdays and days off.
F: --Seriously?
Kamila: --Yes, just some days might have a show or filming or something like that.
F: --What is something that every day must include?
Kamila: --Telegram, for sure.
F: --Wow! And what’s on your Telegram? Who are you subscribed to? Today we read an article that men start their day by reading news, while women start with work chats.
Kamila: --Yes, that’s true. I either start with work chats or a group with my girlfriends where we’re discussing something 24/7.
F: --What’s the name of your group chat?
Kamila: --Well, it’s funny... I won’t say the name, but it’s something like this: I’m blonde, one friend is a redhead, and another is a brunette.
F: --Like, “Sex and the city” or something like that?
Kamila: --No, there are four. Someone has to stay hidden, right? No, no, our group is called “Nu Virgos.”
F: --Got it, and you just gossip there?
Kamila: --Not gossip, we just share things—someone sends a quote, we discuss it. It’s constant conversation.
F: --Memes and reels, right?
Kamila: --Memes and reels, yes, but more on Instagram.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
What helps to restore strength besides sports12:49 - 15:18
F: --We have an episode that talks about how sports help deal with fatigue and burnout. You also mentioned that you relax at the gym. What else helps you relax, avoid burnout, and recover? What secrets do you have that you can share, not just in your group chat with your friends?
Kamila: --Usually, even if I feel really upset or like I don’t have any energy, I can put on headphones, turn on music that either calms me down or brings out some emotions. Either I go for a walk or just sit and watch what’s happening around me—or I go to the gym.
F: --Also with music?
Kamila: --Yes, at the gym with music. I just walk on the elliptical or the treadmill. Music really helps me.
F: --What are your favorite styles or artists? Because music is a part of lifestyle too. What’s playing in your headphones right now? We’ll repeat that track.
Kamila: --It’s always different. “Девочка, говори” I really love listening to Russian-language music. It really helps me process my emotions. It varies. I even have Affirmations, just so you know.
F: --Seriously?
Kamila: --Yes.
F: --Wow.
Kamila: --I don’t know why, not that“why,” but at that moment, I just felt like it. It was the mood.
F: --That’s cool, so you like experimenting.
Kamila: --Yes.
F: --Great! I’ll continue on the topic of lifestyle and ask about clothing style. You know, athletes are often associated with sportswear—tracksuits or specific outfits for different sports. So, when you’re off the rink or out of the gym, what kind of clothes do you prefer? Business style, grunge, casual? Or do you mix everything?
Kamila: --I mix everything, but generally, I prefer looser clothes. I don’t know why, but because we’re always training in tight outfits, skating in tight costumes, performing, it’s like you want to give yourself some freedom. So, I put on straight jeans, oversized t-shirts. Of course, sometimes you think, “Well, I’m a girl, I want to wear a dress.” But mostly, it’s sneakers or casual shoes.
F: --It’s great that fashion allows that now.
Kamila: --Yes, it’s amazing. You can even wear an oversized pantsuit, and it’ll still look good.
F: --With sneakers, right? Look at us—both Kamila and I are in blazers, but we’re both wearing sneakers.
Kamila:
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview
Whether the sport of choice can define the character
15:24 - 19:12
F: --Listen, I want to ask you something about sports and how it influences character. There’s this thing, especially in political Telegram channels, where when someone gets an important appointment, people look at their biography and what sport they do, trying to guess what kind of person they are. If it's a runner, and they’re a marathoner, it means they’ll work for the long term. How about figure skating?
Kamila: --I think that’s a bit random, to be honest. Like, shooting in the dark, but okay. I mean, it’s probably just a random guess, but alright.
F: --Do you think you can really tell something about a person’s character based on the type of sport they do? Has figure skating shaped you in any specific way? Are there any traits that are purely "figure skater" traits?
Kamila: --Figure skating, I think, teaches you everything at once. And from a young age. You’re 13 years old, and life is already teaching you how to answer journalists' questions properly—which is really important. You learn to take your training seriously and with responsibility at 13. And in general, figure skating teaches you independence, just like gymnastics or ballet. I think gymnasts are also very independent. They live in Novogorsk on their own, without their moms, from the age of 12, 13, 14. And it’s the same for figure skaters. It’s like our parents go to work, and you’re left to take care of yourself.
F: --And that independence, later on... I get that in the moment, it’s probably tough. My kids are almost teenagers, and I understand that it’s probably hard to stop being a kid, to control yourself, to not expect help from anyone. Like, you realize you open the cupboard, and if you didn’t put anything there, there’s nothing. It won’t magically appear. Or your meals depend on you—you have to go and eat, no one’s going to set the table for you. That’s tough. And maybe there’s even some kind of internal struggle. But later, when you’re an adult, and you’ve gone through those challenges and look back on what you experienced—was it more good or bad? How does it affect your adult life? Do you ever want to just be a little girl again, saying, “I don’t want to do anything, leave me alone?”
Kamila: --I think everyone feels like that sometimes. At some point, you just want to dangle your legs and be a little childish. But no. It’s like, I’ve been making my own meals since I was seven. I walked myself to school. My mom would leave at eight, come back at five, pick me up from the rink, and we’d go home. So, in principle, I was on my own, learning everything myself. And honestly, I liked it. I really enjoyed doing things on my own. And when I turned sixteen, my mom decided it was time to looking after me.
F: --And you didn’t need it anymore?
Kamila: —Yes, We had a talk, and I realized, yeah, I’m grown up now. But of course, my mom still helps me a lot. You can’t just switch and become an adult. My mom still took on big responsibilities that I didn’t even understand how to handle until I was 18. And now, at 18, it’s not like a snap of the fingers, “Okay, I’m an adult now, give me all the documents, all the keys, I’m going to pay the taxes.” My mom still gives me advice, and I’m so grateful to her for that. But you do have to learn it.
F: --When do you think you became an adult? If adulthood even exists. Or is being an adult just a myth?
Kamila: --I think after 18. You start taking on more responsibility, and you’re like, “Oh, so that’s how it is?”
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)
Whether the sport of choice can define the character15:24 - 19:12
F: --Listen, I want to ask you something about sports and how it influences character. There’s this thing, especially in political Telegram channels, where when someone gets an important appointment, people look at their biography and what sport they do, trying to guess what kind of person they are. If it's a runner, and they’re a marathoner, it means they’ll work for the long term. How about figure skating?
Kamila: --I think that’s a bit random, to be honest. Like, shooting in the dark, but okay. I mean, it’s probably just a random guess, but alright.
F: --Do you think you can really tell something about a person’s character based on the type of sport they do? Has figure skating shaped you in any specific way? Are there any traits that are purely "figure skater" traits?
Kamila: --Figure skating, I think, teaches you everything at once. And from a young age. You’re 13 years old, and life is already teaching you how to answer journalists' questions properly—which is really important. You learn to take your training seriously and with responsibility at 13. And in general, figure skating teaches you independence, just like gymnastics or ballet. I think gymnasts are also very independent. They live in Novogorsk on their own, without their moms, from the age of 12, 13, 14. And it’s the same for figure skaters. It’s like our parents go to work, and you’re left to take care of yourself.
F: --And that independence, later on... I get that in the moment, it’s probably tough. My kids are almost teenagers, and I understand that it’s probably hard to stop being a kid, to control yourself, to not expect help from anyone. Like, you realize you open the cupboard, and if you didn’t put anything there, there’s nothing. It won’t magically appear. Or your meals depend on you—you have to go and eat, no one’s going to set the table for you. That’s tough. And maybe there’s even some kind of internal struggle. But later, when you’re an adult, and you’ve gone through those challenges and look back on what you experienced—was it more good or bad? How does it affect your adult life? Do you ever want to just be a little girl again, saying, “I don’t want to do anything, leave me alone?”
Kamila: --I think everyone feels like that sometimes. At some point, you just want to dangle your legs and be a little childish. But no. It’s like, I’ve been making my own meals since I was seven. I walked myself to school. My mom would leave at eight, come back at five, pick me up from the rink, and we’d go home. So, in principle, I was on my own, learning everything myself. And honestly, I liked it. I really enjoyed doing things on my own. And when I turned sixteen, my mom decided it was time to looking after me.
F: --And you didn’t need it anymore?
Kamila: —Yes, We had a talk, and I realized, yeah, I’m grown up now. But of course, my mom still helps me a lot. You can’t just switch and become an adult. My mom still took on big responsibilities that I didn’t even understand how to handle until I was 18. And now, at 18, it’s not like a snap of the fingers, “Okay, I’m an adult now, give me all the documents, all the keys, I’m going to pay the taxes.” My mom still gives me advice, and I’m so grateful to her for that. But you do have to learn it.
F: --When do you think you became an adult? If adulthood even exists. Or is being an adult just a myth?
Kamila: --I think after 18. You start taking on more responsibility, and you’re like, “Oh, so that’s how it is?”
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview
What you need to know about professional sport before you go into it
19:18 - 23:14
F: --We have listeners of all ages, actually. Both older and younger. But most likely, there are young people who want to connect their lives with professional sports, or parents who want their kids to get into professional sports. What main advice or guidance would you give to these young people? To little kids, teenagers, and their parents. What mistakes should they avoid? Or, on the contrary, what’s most important to keep in mind and do?
Kamila: --Oh, honestly, when I look back at my life, I’m incredibly grateful to my mom for signing me up for so many different activities. I did gymnastics, dancing, ballet. I was doing classical dance almost every day. Physical conditioning, running—I was just surrounded by sports. I think until about the age of 9, you are shaping yourself, physically developing. But after that, you need to understand what the child actually enjoys. Because maybe the child doesn’t even like sports—maybe they prefer playing the piano. Or acting in the theater. They might love acting. And my mom... Honestly, my mom put me into everything possible. I tried everything and said, “You know, mom, thank you so much. All of this is great, but I really love figure skating, so I think I’ll stick with that.” And she said, “Alright, let’s keep classical dance for you, because that’s a good idea.” Classical dance is amazing for building strength. So, we kept dance and physical conditioning related to figure skating. But it’s important to see what the child enjoys.
F: --So, give the child as many options as possible so they can try different things and understand what resonates with them and what doesn’t.
Kamila: --Exactly. A child is like a blank slate. How can I know I like football if I’ve never played it?
F: --Maybe the opposite is true. You know, the way we search for a sport that fits you—you shouldn’t be afraid to try things. I think this applies to kids, adults, sports, and various hobbies. You just have to try and take the first step. Maybe at some point, you’ll find something that makes you want to take a second step after the first. You need to give people options, ask them, talk to them. We always talk about how important dialogue is, and it’s generally important to communicate. You could even create a fun presentation, like a visual digest of different sports. Today I’ll tell you about flexibility-based sports, tomorrow strength-based, and then track and field. Just to show them, “Here’s this, and this, and this.” You know, I saw this Reels video with a kitten and colorful collars with names on them. The kitten walks over, and whichever one they pick, that’s what they’re named. Maybe it’s like that here, too. Look, there’s football, hockey, figure skating—
F: --And something else.
Kamila: --What do you like, even just based on the name?
F: --Or where the uniforms are nice?
Kamila: --Let’s give it a try.
F: --Yeah, I think it’s something like that. Especially, you know, uniforms and sports equipment—they’re super motivating too.
F: --I love carrying that hockey bag.
Kamila: --Oh my, that’s so heavy!
F: --I carried one.
Kamila: --You did?
F: --I played a bit of hockey, but then I got hit in the eye, and after that, I couldn’t come back—
Kamila: --Continue playing?
F: --Yeah, I couldn’t play anymore, mentally.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)
What you need to know about professional sport before you go into it19:18 - 23:14
F: --We have listeners of all ages, actually. Both older and younger. But most likely, there are young people who want to connect their lives with professional sports, or parents who want their kids to get into professional sports. What main advice or guidance would you give to these young people? To little kids, teenagers, and their parents. What mistakes should they avoid? Or, on the contrary, what’s most important to keep in mind and do?
Kamila: --Oh, honestly, when I look back at my life, I’m incredibly grateful to my mom for signing me up for so many different activities. I did gymnastics, dancing, ballet. I was doing classical dance almost every day. Physical conditioning, running—I was just surrounded by sports. I think until about the age of 9, you are shaping yourself, physically developing. But after that, you need to understand what the child actually enjoys. Because maybe the child doesn’t even like sports—maybe they prefer playing the piano. Or acting in the theater. They might love acting. And my mom... Honestly, my mom put me into everything possible. I tried everything and said, “You know, mom, thank you so much. All of this is great, but I really love figure skating, so I think I’ll stick with that.” And she said, “Alright, let’s keep classical dance for you, because that’s a good idea.” Classical dance is amazing for building strength. So, we kept dance and physical conditioning related to figure skating. But it’s important to see what the child enjoys.
F: --So, give the child as many options as possible so they can try different things and understand what resonates with them and what doesn’t.
Kamila: --Exactly. A child is like a blank slate. How can I know I like football if I’ve never played it?
F: --Maybe the opposite is true. You know, the way we search for a sport that fits you—you shouldn’t be afraid to try things. I think this applies to kids, adults, sports, and various hobbies. You just have to try and take the first step. Maybe at some point, you’ll find something that makes you want to take a second step after the first. You need to give people options, ask them, talk to them. We always talk about how important dialogue is, and it’s generally important to communicate. You could even create a fun presentation, like a visual digest of different sports. Today I’ll tell you about flexibility-based sports, tomorrow strength-based, and then track and field. Just to show them, “Here’s this, and this, and this.” You know, I saw this Reels video with a kitten and colorful collars with names on them. The kitten walks over, and whichever one they pick, that’s what they’re named. Maybe it’s like that here, too. Look, there’s football, hockey, figure skating—
F: --And something else.
Kamila: --What do you like, even just based on the name?
F: --Or where the uniforms are nice?
Kamila: --Let’s give it a try.
F: --Yeah, I think it’s something like that. Especially, you know, uniforms and sports equipment—they’re super motivating too.
F: --I love carrying that hockey bag.
Kamila: --Oh my, that’s so heavy!
F: --I carried one.
Kamila: --You did?
F: --I played a bit of hockey, but then I got hit in the eye, and after that, I couldn’t come back—
Kamila: --Continue playing?
F: --Yeah, I couldn’t play anymore, mentally.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview
What to do after leaving professional sports
23:19 - 26:38
F: --In the future, maybe in the distant future, would you want to pursue a civil profession? A civil profession? You know, sports are kind of like a form of service.
--But after sports, have you thought about what you’ll do?
Kamila: --It’s hard to say right now. It seems to me, at this point in my life, that my opinion will change so many times by the time I’m 25. You learn something new every day, and your perspective constantly shifts. So, I set myself short-term goals for now, and beyond that, life will guide me, and I’ll figure it out. People will help too.
F: --It seems like you’ve found the right direction for your career, right? And would you say that you’re happy with what you’re doing?
Kamila: --Absolutely, absolutely. I’m completely happy.
F: --And is this your answer to the journalists?
Kamila: --No, this is my answer. First of all, figure skating brings me immense personal joy. I feel so good. Even just going out on the ice and skating. For example, my first show with Tatiana Navka in Sochi, after six months away from the public—it was my first show, and I felt like a child, so full of joy. I hadn’t been that happy in a long time. I kept having these bursts of emotions. It was pure happiness because I felt like a fish in water, in my element, doing what I truly love. You can feel inside what you enjoy and what you don’t. Sometimes it’s hard, you feel lazy or unmotivated, or maybe it’s just not quite right. But in that moment, you understand—yes, this truly brings me joy. This is what I want to do.
F: --You’re a happy person.
Is Kamila Valieva happy and what does she do more - art or sports?
F: --What do you love most about being on the ice? Jumping?
Kamila: --On the ice? I love communicating with the audience through dance.
F: --The energy, right?
Kamila: --Through dance, yes. You’re still conveying some kind of message to them through your movements.
F: --I’m guessing that when you look at figure skating, while we all see it as a sport, maybe for you it’s more like art?
Kamila: --Probably, yes. For me, sports are more like hockey. Hockey, football, games, and the like. But figure skating is also dance. Ballet isn’t a sport, after all.
F: --It’s an art. Art.
Kamila: --Yes, and figure skating can be art too if it’s presented correctly. It’s not always about chasing the elements. Of course, elements are a huge part of what we do—we have to jump and spin. But you can arrange it in a way that makes people go “wow.”
F: --So, it’s really close to art, then?
Kamila: --Yes. I never used to think about it this way. Especially with the free skate in competitions.
F: --You still see that as a sport, though. But when it comes to exhibition performances—
--You can do whatever you want there.
Kamila: --Exhibitions, yes.
F: — You can do anything there.
Kamila: --Exactly,
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)
What to do after leaving professional sports23:19 - 26:38
F: --In the future, maybe in the distant future, would you want to pursue a civil profession? A civil profession? You know, sports are kind of like a form of service.
--But after sports, have you thought about what you’ll do?
Kamila: --It’s hard to say right now. It seems to me, at this point in my life, that my opinion will change so many times by the time I’m 25. You learn something new every day, and your perspective constantly shifts. So, I set myself short-term goals for now, and beyond that, life will guide me, and I’ll figure it out. People will help too.
F: --It seems like you’ve found the right direction for your career, right? And would you say that you’re happy with what you’re doing?
Kamila: --Absolutely, absolutely. I’m completely happy.
F: --And is this your answer to the journalists?
Kamila: --No, this is my answer. First of all, figure skating brings me immense personal joy. I feel so good. Even just going out on the ice and skating. For example, my first show with Tatiana Navka in Sochi, after six months away from the public—it was my first show, and I felt like a child, so full of joy. I hadn’t been that happy in a long time. I kept having these bursts of emotions. It was pure happiness because I felt like a fish in water, in my element, doing what I truly love. You can feel inside what you enjoy and what you don’t. Sometimes it’s hard, you feel lazy or unmotivated, or maybe it’s just not quite right. But in that moment, you understand—yes, this truly brings me joy. This is what I want to do.
F: --You’re a happy person.
Is Kamila Valieva happy and what does she do more - art or sports?
F: --What do you love most about being on the ice? Jumping?
Kamila: --On the ice? I love communicating with the audience through dance.
F: --The energy, right?
Kamila: --Through dance, yes. You’re still conveying some kind of message to them through your movements.
F: --I’m guessing that when you look at figure skating, while we all see it as a sport, maybe for you it’s more like art?
Kamila: --Probably, yes. For me, sports are more like hockey. Hockey, football, games, and the like. But figure skating is also dance. Ballet isn’t a sport, after all.
F: --It’s an art. Art.
Kamila: --Yes, and figure skating can be art too if it’s presented correctly. It’s not always about chasing the elements. Of course, elements are a huge part of what we do—we have to jump and spin. But you can arrange it in a way that makes people go “wow.”
F: --So, it’s really close to art, then?
Kamila: --Yes. I never used to think about it this way. Especially with the free skate in competitions.
F: --You still see that as a sport, though. But when it comes to exhibition performances—
--You can do whatever you want there.
Kamila: --Exhibitions, yes.
F: — You can do anything there.
Kamila: --Exactly,
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
#Interview
”Everything starts in the mind”
26:43 - 28:40
F: --Is there a habit you would like to develop? For example, I don’t work out. It’s not part of my life. At most, I try to walk 10,000 steps a day. That’s something I force myself to do. I don’t know if that counts as exercise. But it could be called a lifestyle, I guess.
--A sporty lifestyle.
Kamila: --A sporty lifestyle.
F: --Walking 10,000 steps in a tracksuit. I’d like that to become a habit. Do you have any habits that you don’t currently have but would like to develop?
Kamila: --It’s more related to my mental state. I’d like to be a little more relaxed about everything. Not to cling to things, not to overthink, not to wind myself up. That’s probably the habit I want to develop. For me, everything starts in the mind. If you feel drained inside, if you have no energy, you won’t be able to push yourself physically. You won’t go to training, won’t socialize. You simply won’t have the energy if you’re feeling that way inside.
F: --Do you think it’s possible? To work on your mind to that extent?
Kamila: --Of course. Everything is possible. Why not? When you compete, it’s mostly mental, not physical at that point. Any action—if you’re not mentally prepared, it can throw you off. But an athlete who has already understood everything, who has grasped things in this world, won’t be thrown off. No matter what happens.
F: --How do they teach you that? Or is it something you have to have in your character from the start?
Kamila: --Our coaches don’t teach us that. But somehow, it happens within you. Plus, you still seek help from a psychologist if things get really tough.
F: --Are you currently working with a psychologist?
Kamila: --Well, yes, I try.
F: --Periodically?
Kamila: --Yes, periodically.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)
”Everything starts in the mind”26:43 - 28:40
F: --Is there a habit you would like to develop? For example, I don’t work out. It’s not part of my life. At most, I try to walk 10,000 steps a day. That’s something I force myself to do. I don’t know if that counts as exercise. But it could be called a lifestyle, I guess.
--A sporty lifestyle.
Kamila: --A sporty lifestyle.
F: --Walking 10,000 steps in a tracksuit. I’d like that to become a habit. Do you have any habits that you don’t currently have but would like to develop?
Kamila: --It’s more related to my mental state. I’d like to be a little more relaxed about everything. Not to cling to things, not to overthink, not to wind myself up. That’s probably the habit I want to develop. For me, everything starts in the mind. If you feel drained inside, if you have no energy, you won’t be able to push yourself physically. You won’t go to training, won’t socialize. You simply won’t have the energy if you’re feeling that way inside.
F: --Do you think it’s possible? To work on your mind to that extent?
Kamila: --Of course. Everything is possible. Why not? When you compete, it’s mostly mental, not physical at that point. Any action—if you’re not mentally prepared, it can throw you off. But an athlete who has already understood everything, who has grasped things in this world, won’t be thrown off. No matter what happens.
F: --How do they teach you that? Or is it something you have to have in your character from the start?
Kamila: --Our coaches don’t teach us that. But somehow, it happens within you. Plus, you still seek help from a psychologist if things get really tough.
F: --Are you currently working with a psychologist?
Kamila: --Well, yes, I try.
F: --Periodically?
Kamila: --Yes, periodically.
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)- Joined
- Nov 16, 2023
How to make sports a part of your life even if you are lazy31:09 ~
F: --How can I really make sports a part of my life? I’ve already shared my struggle. It’s really, really hard for me. What would you advise me to do? How should I approach it? Do you think everyone should include sports in their lives, or are there people, in your opinion, who don’t need it?
Kamila: --No, no, no, sports should definitely be part of everyone’s life.
F:
Kamila:
F: --Marusya, come on, we need to find something for you. Let’s make a show: “Marusya Tries Sports.”
Kamila: --If you really don’t like going to the gym, then you don’t have to. You shouldn’t torture yourself. People will find their own hobbies. But a healthy lifestyle means staying active throughout the day. It will just make things easier for you, and your mood will improve. Even if you don’t feel like laughing or being happy, after physical activity, your mood always gets better. It’s like a reset.
F: --Yes, yes, the hardest part is forcing yourself to do something.
Kamila: --The hardest part is starting.
F: --And then you enjoy it, of course. Why does the brain work like that? Why didn’t I want to do it, and now look how great it feels? Yes, it’s great. And the next time, it’s the same thing again. “No, no, here are 150 reasons why not.” I don’t understand how to form this habit or attachment.
Kamila: --You just need to start. You want to do 10,000 steps? Just start. Don’t like it? Don’t like it? Didn’t like it today? Well, try adding some music. Or maybe watch something on your phone. I think that makes it easier.
F: --I’ll listen to our podcast.
Kamila: --Yes.
F: --Kamila said we have to go. We’re going, we’re going. And chocolate.
--Go, if you want to forget.
Kamila: -- To forget.
F: --Listen, how do you restore your energy? When you mentioned that sometimes you don’t feel like doing anything or things just don’t work out—how do you recover?
Kamila: --I like to be alone. Yes. Walk by myself. I don’t know, sit somewhere. If there are trees, just leave me there. In the park—it’s paradise for me.
What Kamila Valieva dreams of and what happiness meansF: --I want to ask—what do you dream about?
Kamila: --For all my loved ones to be healthy and happy. Happiness. That’s all.
F: --What is happiness? We’ve tried to figure that out a few times. Everyone describes it differently. What is happiness for you?
Kamila: --It’s an internal state.
F: --What kind?
Kamila: --An internal one. It’s a special feeling inside when you understand who you are. When you love and, as they say, love and be loved. And when you care for other people. I think that’s what happiness is. It’s a combination of all factors.
F: --So, for everything to be good everywhere, right?
Kamila: --Of course.
F: --Well, Kamila, thank you so much. Sports are truly not just a lifestyle, but life itself, as it turns out. Everyone should find the type of sport that not only benefits their health but also brings them joy. And I’m sure it’s possible. I’ll try to make a presentation and figure it out.I like this form. Maybe that’s the secret.
Kamila:
F: -- Next issue : Marusya tries it, and that’s it.
Thank you so much.
--Thank you, Kamila.
Kamila: --Thank you very much.
(The End)
Edit & Translation: @kamilavalieva_archive (https://t.me/kamilavalieva_archive)(PS: I will correct the mistakes directly in the original text without further notice.)
