Masha ALIEVA

"I started skating when I was three because my sister was skating. I saw her skating and I realized that was something I wanted to do. I also remember my first time watching the Olympics in 2014. When I saw those girls skating, I realized that I would want to be in the Olympics some day. After watching the Olympics I started skating more and trained more. I started to progress a lot. That was when I found my connection with the ice. Whenever I'm on the ice I forget about everything."

"Right now I’m doing ice dance, I'm not a single skater anymore. People have mentioned that one of my strengths is that I have long legs. For example, my physique can help provide an aesthetic look of having long lines for extensions when performing different dance routines with my partner. Ice dance is more focused on art because you don't jump. You don't have all those tricks that you do in singles. The hardest parts are the lifts and spins, but there is no pressure of jumping. The performance has to be pleasing to watch and aesthetic just like art is."

"I'm recovering from a hip surgery, so right now my short term goal is to get back on the ice. I'm also looking forward to working with my team to prepare for the next competition season starting in September. The French cascade will be our first event."

"I used to coach learn-to-skate programs and I really enjoyed helping little kids with their first steps on the ice. They're usually three, or four years old. I like helping with the foundation because I think the first steps are very important, and I tried to make it fun for them. I appreciate how my coaches did that for me."

"My coach always said, ‘Skate for yourself and enjoy yourself. If you don’t enjoy yourself on the ice how could others enjoy. You just have to express how you feel on the inside’."

"I love wavewear leggings. I like the taping and also the compression; they're just perfect. I also tried other products like the shirts, shorts, and knee sleeves, I’ve tried all the products. Now I really like the open back workout top. I am also using WaveWear knee sleeves K2 because I had knee surgery five years ago, so I still try to keep myself healthy."

"The leggings are high-waisted, and I kind of like high-waisted leggings. I also really like colors too, like red leggings, sometimes bright blue. I would say maybe more colorful and bright choices."

"Absolutely, people have been reaching out because they always ask me about wavewear. In the past, I always gave up a lot of clothing to my friends, mostly stuff that’s too small, but I still don't know if these leggings stretch or if I'm just the same size. For the past two or three years since I've been working with waveware everything is still in great shape. Also, my mom is a volleyball coach and she's using the wrist taping H1, she's been really enjoying that with volleyball."

"Probably listen to my body and I'm still learning that lesson. Because every time something hurts and you don't want to stop because there's always something coming up, something exciting. This year was my first year as an ice dancer, and I started representing France with my partner. We had all the exciting international competitions coming up. And then I had a hip injury. I was not listening to my body. So I think right now that was my last lesson. If something hurts, stop it's better to wait 3 weeks than 5 months."

"Now that I am recovering it’s physical therapy, school, exercise and training, and watching netflix shows. I recently started going back to the rink. I'm allowed to start training again."

"I think dealing with your body’s health and mental health. I believe fueling our body in the right way is important. I think young skaters struggle with that, and should be educated on this at a young age. Learning about healthy eating habits and learning about what our bodies need is important, also having a good support system."

"Carolyn Green, I used to skate with her. She was an inspiration to me because we were all the alternatives for the Olympics last year. I thought that she’s such a smart person. I find it so inspiring when people can do both school and skating. Carolyn was really good at balancing school and skating. I always wondered how she did it. She was great at organizing her time. She was smart and creative on the ice too."

"I really hope to make it to the world championships in the next Winter Olympics and then go to college. I think education is very important."