U.S. Figure Skater Amber Glenn: Coming Out Led to Breakthrough
Amber Glenn's record-breaking performance at this month's U.S. Figure Skating Championships was not just a testament to her skills, but also a reflection of the personal journey that led her to this momentous achievement. As the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to compete in figure skating at the Olympics, Glenn's victory is more than just a triumph for herself - it's also a milestone for the queer community and mental health advocacy.
Glenn's breakthrough was not overnight. For years, she struggled with self-doubt and body image issues, feeling pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards in figure skating. "I thought, 'OK, this is my little baby step, and ... barely anyone's gonna see it,'" Glenn recalled about her initial coming-out announcement on a local Dallas newspaper. Little did she know that the reaction would be anything but local.
After publicly coming out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019, Glenn faced an uncertain future, both personally and professionally. She worried about how sponsors, judges, and fans would react to her newfound openness. However, her fears were largely unfounded. Her peers and competitors rallied around her, with many showing support through Pride flags at competitions.
It was also during this time that Glenn realized she needed to focus on her strengths rather than perceived weaknesses. She switched coaches, moved training from Texas to Colorado, and worked with a mental coach to manage her adrenaline-fueled nerves. The result was nothing short of remarkable - Glenn went on to win multiple medals, including the first-ever gold medal at the World Team Trophy in 2022.
Glenn's success is not just about her exceptional skating skills; it's also about the impact she's had on the figure skating community. As a vocal advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, Glenn has inspired countless young athletes to be their authentic selves. "I realized that if we're ever going to get past that worry [of not fitting in], someone has to do it," she said.
When asked what sparked her breakthrough moment, Glenn credited coming out as the catalyst. "No matter how hard I tried, I just did not fit into the mold... I want to at least do it as me." It was a decision that allowed her to shed the pressure of conforming and find success on her own terms.
For Glenn, this Olympic qualification is more than just a personal achievement - it's also an opportunity to use her platform to promote acceptance, inclusivity, and mental health awareness. As she prepares for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Glenn remains committed to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of queer athletes.
Amber Glenn's record-breaking performance at this month's U.S. Figure Skating Championships was not just a testament to her skills, but also a reflection of the personal journey that led her to this momentous achievement. As the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to compete in figure skating at the Olympics, Glenn's victory is more than just a triumph for herself - it's also a milestone for the queer community and mental health advocacy.
Glenn's breakthrough was not overnight. For years, she struggled with self-doubt and body image issues, feeling pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards in figure skating. "I thought, 'OK, this is my little baby step, and ... barely anyone's gonna see it,'" Glenn recalled about her initial coming-out announcement on a local Dallas newspaper. Little did she know that the reaction would be anything but local.
After publicly coming out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019, Glenn faced an uncertain future, both personally and professionally. She worried about how sponsors, judges, and fans would react to her newfound openness. However, her fears were largely unfounded. Her peers and competitors rallied around her, with many showing support through Pride flags at competitions.
It was also during this time that Glenn realized she needed to focus on her strengths rather than perceived weaknesses. She switched coaches, moved training from Texas to Colorado, and worked with a mental coach to manage her adrenaline-fueled nerves. The result was nothing short of remarkable - Glenn went on to win multiple medals, including the first-ever gold medal at the World Team Trophy in 2022.
Glenn's success is not just about her exceptional skating skills; it's also about the impact she's had on the figure skating community. As a vocal advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, Glenn has inspired countless young athletes to be their authentic selves. "I realized that if we're ever going to get past that worry [of not fitting in], someone has to do it," she said.
When asked what sparked her breakthrough moment, Glenn credited coming out as the catalyst. "No matter how hard I tried, I just did not fit into the mold... I want to at least do it as me." It was a decision that allowed her to shed the pressure of conforming and find success on her own terms.
For Glenn, this Olympic qualification is more than just a personal achievement - it's also an opportunity to use her platform to promote acceptance, inclusivity, and mental health awareness. As she prepares for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Glenn remains committed to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of queer athletes.
Amber Glenn is literally a superhero on ice 
, I mean who else can say they broke down barriers and won gold while being their authentic self? 
It's amazing how far she came from feeling pressure to conform to traditional beauty standards, but instead embracing her uniqueness and strengths. Her mental health advocacy is also so inspiring, it shows that you don't have to hide your true self to be successful 
Can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented and courageous skater! 
Her story is a reminder that our worth isn't defined by external pressures or expectations, but by being true to ourselves 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is to have someone using their platform for mental health advocacy & LGBTQ+ rights? 
. Her story is like, proof that being true to yourself can lead to amazing things - both on and off the ice 
It's like, so refreshing to see someone in a position of power use their voice for good 
. We need more people like Amber Glenn in this world! 
! The mental health aspect of it is so important too... I mean, we need more people speaking out about how mental health affects them, especially in high-pressure sports 
Amber's proof that being yourself is the greatest superpower of all. 
. Mental health advocacy is super important too, especially in sports where it's easy to feel pressure & stress 
. She's proof that authenticity wins 
her story is more than just a victory, its about finding courage in being true to yourself and using your platform to uplift others 
!
!! her coming out journey was so inspiring it shows that being true to yourself is the most important thing especially in a sport where everyone's always striving for perfection 
her mental health advocacy is also something we should all be supporting 
. Her mental health advocacy is so important and it's great to see athletes using their platforms for good 
. She's not just a talented athlete, she's a role model in every sense 
Just saw this news about Amber Glenn, the US figure skater who came out as bi & pansexual, and I gotta say, it's kinda inspiring... only in a "it'll never happen here" kinda way. Like, the fact that she was so nervous people might judge her is totally normal, but at least some of her peers were supportive, right? 
Still, it's not like this is the first time someone's come out and won or anything... just another example of how weird the world still is. 
, it's so important that we prioritize our well-being in all areas of life! 
i mean amber glenn is literally on fire 
but for real though her journey is a total inspiration, it's amazing how one coming out can open doors to a whole new world of acceptance and support. i'm low-key salty that she had to deal with all that self-doubt and pressure, but like, at least she came out on top (literally) 
Amber Glen is literally a superhero in my eyes! I mean, can you even imagine struggling with self-doubt and body image issues in an already super competitive sport like figure skating? But instead of letting it bring her down, she used it as fuel to push herself even harder. And then she comes out and everyone's all supportive and loving... I mean, what more could you ask for?! 
. Her mental health advocacy is also super important 
, she's a role model for many young athletes 
, she still has the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics to tackle 
! I'm rooting for her all the way 
. Bring on the acceptance & love for the queer community