It all started with an Xfinity upgrade. Truly the most unglamorous beginning to an origin story ever told, but the rest is good I promise.

In the first episode of My Emotional Support Figure Skating, I take you back to where it all began — the 2026 Olympics, a free Peacock subscription I had no idea what to do with, and a childhood memory of watching pairs figure skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics that apparently never fully left me. Turns out figure skating was always in there somewhere. It just took 20 years and a cable bill to wake it back up.

I break down my first impressions going in completely blind, no context, no prior knowledge, just vibes. Shoutout to Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir for being the only reason I understood anything that was happening. Genuinely could not have done this without them.

We get into the skaters who caught my eye immediately, and yes, I do acknowledge that Olympic athletes are objectively hot, and then we move on like adults (well, sort of I'll probably bring it up more). Kevin Aymoz, JunWhan Cha, and then Ilia Malinin, who I initially heard called the Quad God and thought okay chill dude, but then I watched his short program and immediately understood why he earned that title. The song choice, the tongue, the tricks, the "It" factor. Plus, those blue eyes, that thick blonde hair and great complexion (see I told you I'd bring it up again). It was game over for me.

Then the women's free skate, and the moment I became an Amber Glenn fan, which started with a camera catching her hyperventilating against a wall before her skate and me going oh. I know that feeling. Her artistry, her triple axel, and what it meant to see someone be so real in that moment.

We close on the men's free skate. The gut punch. Watching Ilia's face as everything unraveled in real time, recognizing something in him that felt deeply familiar, and then watching what he did after...

Which is where this whole podcast really begins.

This is the origin story. Of the obsession that was fueled by the inspiration these amazing human beings give me. This is not just for skating fans, but for anyone who just needs a little joy and inspiration in their lives.

If that's you, welcome. You're in good hands.