Anna Shcherbakova: “I’m someone who doesn’t really like to dream. I prefer setting goals and working step by step to achieve them. Just sitting and dreaming has never been my thing.”
Anna Shcherbakova opens up about post-Olympic challenges and her path forward
original source: Championat
Anna Shcherbakova, the 2022 Beijing Olympic champion in figure skating, shared her reflections on the emotional challenges following her Olympic gold, her evolving perspective on life and career, and her approach to goal-setting. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Facing a Post-Olympic Crisis
“Of course, I faced a crisis. When you’ve been following the same schedule since you were three years old, striving toward one goal, idolizing it, and finally achieving it, you’re left with a certain sense of confusion. Instead of lifelong joy, you start wondering: ‘What now?’ ‘What do I do next?’
That crisis was there, and it persists to this day, though it’s not as emotionally intense anymore. I’m still searching for a passion that will energize me the way figure skating used to – something that will make me run toward it excitedly every day with new goals.
After reaching such great heights, it’s hard to find something equally meaningful. It’s an interesting period of growth and self-discovery.”
Shcherbakova admitted she is still uncertain about her future calling:
“Of course, I wish everything could fall into place here and now. But when I lived and breathed figure skating, it’s hard to immediately find something that feels just as intense. I’ve accepted that, and I’m trying to think less about it. Now, I prefer to try new things, live, learn, and embrace growing up without fear. I just want to enjoy life,” she explained.
Looking Back on Her Olympic Victory
When asked how she feels about the 2022 Beijing Olympics now, Shcherbakova said:
“It’s a complicated question and difficult to answer. One thing I can say for sure is that I feel proud of having achieved it. Now, I look back on it with pleasant emotions and a bit of nostalgia for those times. But there are also complex feelings.”
She emphasized that sport remains a source of energy for her:
“After attending numerous events and interacting with audiences, I realized that sport was not just my profession – it was also a way to recharge and shift my focus. I often draw energy from being around large groups of people, though afterward, I sometimes find myself staring blankly at a wall, feeling drained. That’s when it’s the perfect time for me to hit the gym and recharge through physical activity,” Shcherbakova said, as quoted by Championat.
Her Philosophy on Dreams and Goals
Shcherbakova revealed her pragmatic approach to achieving aspirations:
“I’m someone who doesn’t really like to dream. I prefer setting goals and working step by step to achieve them. Just sitting and dreaming has never been my thing.”
“You can dream about many things, and as they say, dreaming isn’t harmful. However, I’ve always gravitated toward a mindset where you truly understand what you want. For me, it’s not a dream – it’s a goal. I know what I need to do to achieve it, and I break it down into smaller steps, working toward it gradually.”
“In principle, nothing is impossible. If you want something badly enough, you can achieve it. Our abilities are limitless. Limiting yourself in your dreams is wrong. If you have a dream, sit down and break it into smaller goals. Then, it’s no longer a dream – it’s a goal you can strive toward,” she explained.
Her Figureskating Inspirations
Shcherbakova reflected on the skaters she admired growing up:
“For me, Yulia Lipnitskaya was a star. I joined Eteri Georgievna [Tutberidze]’s group when I was nine, during Yulia’s Olympic season. She was preparing for her triumphant Sochi Olympics.”
“Back then, I was so young, I couldn’t even imagine dreaming of achieving the same. I just watched her and admired her. She was an unattainable figure for me.”
Shcherbakova also expressed admiration for Mao Asada:
“At that same age, I was captivated by Mao Asada. I remember watching her free skate at the Sochi Olympics from the stands. Her performance deeply impressed me.”
Exploring Life Beyond Coaching
When asked about potentially becoming a coach, Shcherbakova was hesitant:
“I love children and figure skating. I see how kids respond to your words. Children are never indifferent during training.”
However, she expressed a desire to explore life outside of skating:
“I want to see what life is like beyond figure skating, to explore different professions.”
She was asked “Could we see you as a commentator?” to wich Shcherbakova replied:
“That was the discovery of the year for me. I never expected it to be so emotional. It’s something I truly enjoyed. I hope I can continue working in this field.”
A Balanced Perspective on the Future
Anna Shcherbakova continues to navigate the challenges of finding her path post-Olympics, embracing both the complexities and opportunities:
“I’ve come to realize that even though it’s difficult to find something as fulfilling as figure skating immediately, I should focus on learning, exploring, and enjoying life.”
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