Nathan Chen

[alexaa]

The ESPN article is so long, needs to read it in the evening.


Speaking of mental/psychology, it seems Yale has sports psychology programs for their athletes.

https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/12/cain-bulldogs-break-blocks/

And Yale coaches enlist the services of a sports psychologist to work with individuals or their entire team. Dr. Bob Mallimson is available to meet with individual athletes to discuss topics such as performance, concentration, confidence, mindset and many other areas

https://yass.yale.edu/wellness/sports-psychology

 

[yyyskate]

@oatmella I read that ESPN articles again.
I have many emotions about it(especially when everything is said and done AND look back). I will only say this much.
but it is a very very good article.

as for the attention on Nathan, I think Nathan's case is pretty normal. He does had many fans within hardcore figure skating fans since junior (including me) because he is a protege and on his first or even second senior year, he is just gradually gain attention from both the media and the mass public. and the hype and trash on him will happen to every elite and star athelete for the media drama. Who is acctually a little under-rated, I think it is poor Vincent, his courageous performances at OG is not even broadcasted by NBC and pretty much ignored... I don't think any other country does that for their own olympian.

 

[alexaa]

Haha, which top is this?

that skeleton top Nathan was wearing for SP at this year's Nationals, which oatmella and yyyskate were discussing about the matching pants in the last two pages. I wasn't aware that it was referred to as the skeleton top.

 

[oatmella]

bonita - the last sentence in the article ... and thanks for the information at sports psychology at Yale

I have some Nike questions ... are these the new blue sneakers Nathan is wearing in the photo with the Special Olympians?
https://www.nike.com/t/zoom-fly-mens-running-shoe-0nTg3111/880848-411

Are these the white sneakers he's been seen wearing lately (like at meet and greets):
https://www.zumiez.com/nike-sb-blazer-zoom-low-white-obsidian-leather-skate-shoes.html

And Nathan's favorite (ok one of his many favorites) airmax 270 in pink colorway:
https://www.nike.com/t/air-max-270-womens-shoe-moTBdq1A/AH6789-601

 

[yyyskate]

as for this ""Do you understand that the day after the Olympics, he gets four years older?"" comment from Raf
I have a feeling that Nathan is kinda breaking the stereotype here,
from what Nathan's doing rn, he is actually taking it year by year (his words in previous interviews) and he is actually doing something outside of figure skating such as college, and NOT like most other skaters whose eye are immediately on 2022 once 2018 is over and is going to do everything for that moment, which is indeed four years older overnight.

I have a feeling that Nathan always thought/believed 4 years is a very long period of time.

 

[yyyskate]

bonita - the last sentence in the article ... and thanks for the information at sports psychology at Yale

I have some Nike questions ... are these the new blue sneakers Nathan is wearing in the photo with the Special Olympians?
https://www.nike.com/t/zoom-fly-mens-running-shoe-0nTg3111/880848-411

Are these the white sneakers he's been seen wearing lately (like at meet and greets) - can't find this style on nike.com:
https://www.zumiez.com/nike-sb-blazer-zoom-low-white-obsidian-leather-skate-shoes.html

And Nathan's favorite (ok one of his many favorites) airmax 270 in pink colorway:
https://www.nike.com/t/air-max-270-womens-shoe-moTBdq1A/AH6789-601

cannot help you here(not an NIKE expert and shopping is really not my thing, I was like Nathan, very frugal in terms of those things unless it is free), but that pink airmax 270 is really nice looking I am considering buy one pair but I was also thinking about buy exactly the same white one that is Nathan's fav.

 

[heyheyhey]

The ESPN article is so long, needs to read it in the evening. This last sentence is breaking my heart "Do you understand that the day after the Olympics, he gets four years older?"

Speaking of mental/psychology, it seems Yale has sports psychology programs for their athletes.

https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/02/12/cain-bulldogs-break-blocks/

And Yale coaches enlist the services of a sports psychologist to work with individuals or their entire team. Dr. Bob Mallimson is available to meet with individual athletes to discuss topics such as performance, concentration, confidence, mindset and many other areas

https://yass.yale.edu/wellness/sports-psychology

Why does it break your heart?

@yyyskate Yes I know it’s normal and expected, they do this with all top athletes and in each case I find it irresponsible journalism. I don’t approve of the way many outlets flip flop and have reactionary social media “journalism” rather than actually analyzing the situation in a fair manner. I am glad Nathan does not have to endure that on a regular basis like say NBA or Soccer players and that he’s not pressured to do more media than necessary.

 

[discode]

as for this ""Do you understand that the day after the Olympics, he gets four years older?"" comment from Raf
I have a feeling that Nathan is kinda breaking the stereotype here,
from what Nathan's doing rn, he is actually taking it year by year (his words in previous interviews) and he is actually doing something outside of figure skating such as college, and NOT like most other skaters whose eye are immediately on 2022 once 2018 is over and is going to do everything for that moment, which is indeed four years older overnight.

I have a feeling that Nathan always thought/believed 4 years is a very long period of time.

I agree. A lot of skaters are already making moves for 2022. Nothing wrong with that, but he's not really following the same playbook they are.

Even if I'm worried about how he'll train and everything else, for his own mental health and career I feel it's a good thing. It would be seriously stressful to spend the next four years simply working towards the OGM he didn't get last time. The amount of pressure to actually do it when it might not work out anyway would be immense. And I really don't want to watch the NBC redemption story either. Though, they'll still try obviously.

 

[oatmella]

cannot help you here(not an NIKE expert and shopping is really not my thing, I was like Nathan, very frugal in terms of those things unless it is free), but that pink airmax 270 is really nice looking I am considering buy one pair but I was also thinking about buy exactly the same white one that is Nathan's fav.

yeah, I'm frugal too. Like Nathan - I love a free haircut !

Nike epic react flyknit - I haven't seen this color before and it's my favorite so far:

https://www.nike.com/t/epic-react-f..._clickid=5b14df9b-aae8-473c-b007-b9b25a6b1b3b

 

[sheetz]

Article from Skating Magazine.
http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.c...-hubbell-and-donohue-make-it-right-at-worlds/

 

[yyyskate]

I agree. A lot of skaters are already making moves for 2022. Nothing wrong with that, but he's not really following the same playbook they are.

Even if I'm worried about how he'll train and everything else, for his own mental health and career I feel it's a good thing. It would be seriously stressful to spend the next four years simply working towards the OGM he didn't get last time. The amount of pressure to actually do it when it might not work out anyway would be immense. And I really don't want to watch the NBC redemption story either. Though, they'll still try obviously.

yes OGM is elusive, you can prepare for it but you will never be sure of it. might as well just enjoy the road itstead of the destination. I kr NBC will do that cliche redemption story 4 years later. Lame, but they will still do it

also something about the possibility of Nathan training by himself, to some extend Nathan's words that he has learned enough to be able to take the reign himeself is true. Nathan is already pretty independent in terms of training before or during 2018 OG.
So there are some uncertainty to Nathan's training next season, but it is also not a completely ridiculous situation. So you may not need to worry that much.
but still, an on-site coach to remind his weakness (e.g. in SS etc) on a daily basis consistently is helpful to him. Even in that ESPN article, he said, he will NOT need people to tell him what he is capable but he will need people to remind him his weakness.

 

[heyheyhey]

Nathan has said both that 4 years is a long time and also no time at all lol. He said in one of his Post Olympics interviews that the next Olympics will be here in no time and that preparation starts now so I do think while he’s taking it year by year, he’s simultaneously getting ready for 2022 and has that Olympics at the forefront of his mind. It’s been his ultimate goal and had he won it this year, there’s a good chance he’d have retired earlier than usual.

One of the things they’ve worked on (as in team Nathan) since the Olympics could be a new approach which allows Nathan to take it day by day and explore outside of skating as a way to get him mentally prepared in the long term for 2022. He’s already stated on he’s changed his mentality on how he approaches his competitions where he’s learned to not think about winning Gold so much and that helped with Worlds. Allowing him to go to Yale and try out this new training arrangement might be another way to help him.

 

[yyyskate]

yeah, I'm frugal too. Like Nathan - I love a free haircut !

Nike epic react flyknit - I haven't seen this color before and it's my favorite so far:

https://www.nike.com/t/epic-react-f..._clickid=5b14df9b-aae8-473c-b007-b9b25a6b1b3b

wow nice color indeed, I love it.:luv17:

 

[sheetz]

His time spent with Marina should help because he spent months away from Raf during that period as well. The only difference is that he had friends and training mates like Chan and the Shibs. It will be a very lonely existence at Yale with being so busy to spend a lot of time with his Yale friends and no skaters to train with.

 

[yyyskate]

His time spent with Marina should help because he spent months away from Raf during that period as well. The only difference is that he had friends and training mates like Chan and the Shibs. It will be a very lonely existence at Yale with being so busy to spend a lot of time with his Yale friends and no skaters to train with.

I think if Nathan trains at the Champions ice, there are elite ice dancers there. I bet there are must be other skaters too. Nathan will make new friends I would assume.

 

[oatmella]

I don't think Nathan will be lonely at Yale - should still be able to spend (some) time with friends, and he will be living in one of the residential colleges.

But yes - different situation than in Lakewood and at Marina's in terms of training mates.

thanks sheetz for the link to Skating Magazine article. with this photo ft. Nathan's black pants

http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Chen-and-free-skate.jpg

 

[heyheyhey]

His time spent with Marina should help because he spent months away from Raf during that period as well. The only difference is that he had friends and training mates like Chan and the Shibs. It will be a very lonely existence at Yale with being so busy to spend a lot of time with his Yale friends and no skaters to train with.

If he’s training at the Olympic Ice 30 minutes away, he’ll be with other skaters and coaches. Probably not anyone he’s familiar with already but he can make new friends. I would imagine they will make him feel welcome at the rink. Plus Yale has their figure skating club so he can have people to talk too that are interested in skating or skate at the Yale campus when available.

 

[yyyskate]

I don't think Nathan will be lonely at Yale - should still be able to spend (some) time with friends, and he will be living in one of the residential colleges.

But yes - different situation than in Lakewood and at Marina's in terms of training mates.

I really think Nathan had a great time in Marina's rink back then, his bro Patrick and Shibsibs, seems are really close to him also ice dancers Chock and Bates are training there too, and Nathan spent his 18th bday with them.
And his social media activities back then, seems Nathan really had a great time.

 

[yyyskate]

thanks sheetz for the link to Skating Magazine article. with this photo ft. Nathan's black pants

http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Chen-and-free-skate.jpg

perfect

in this photo especially it matched his little white collar perfectly.

 

[Hollymolly]

Thank you Hollymolly for the link, and thanks @shine for all the links. For me, it is 4CC, he was so beautiful and breathtaking in almost everthing, including that not very perfect 3A. The stumble in that final pose was hilarious, he couldn't stop laughing himself, and that shot he covered his mouth when he laughed was my favorite moment.

If you didn’t see other 4CC run-through (or warm-up) i recommend all of them! Because Korean fancams are great
Also, That shot was my favorite, either. Behind the scene, He laughed because some one hit by a doll that throw to rink. Lol But it made most adorable pic..!