3 Lessons Learned from My Figure Skating Days – Nancy Gavilanes

With the 2026 Winter Olympics now underway, it’s got me thinking of my Olympiac Daze. Growing up, I was so enthralled with figure skating and gymnastics that I took lessons in both sports during high school.

I wasn’t an elite athlete, but I learned many valuable lessons from both sports that have stayed with me all these years. I’ll just focus on skating for now.

Enjoy this short video that’s a snapshot of my Skating Daze.

3 Lessons Learned From My Figure Skating Days:

Get Back Up – One of the first skills we learn on the ice is how to get back up after a fall. Falls are inevitable while skating. Even the most seasoned skaters fall sometimes. It’s not a matter of if, but when. I fell plenty of times on the ice. It was never fun, but it was actually a sign that I was being brave and trying new skills. It could also be a sign that I was distracted or needed more practice. The point was to not wallow on the ice but to get back up quickly, try to learn from the experience and to keep skating. The same is true in life. Falling, or failing or making mistakes or facing rejection, is part of life. Trials have a way of trying to knock us off our feet. Whenever that happens, may we prayerfully get back up quickly. Sure there’s a time to reflect on what happened and to heal or to take a break as needed, but let’s not stay stuck wallowing on the ice. Let’s be quick to get back up and keep living life one day at a time. I’m reminded of this Bible verse, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)

Persistence is Key – I didn’t start doing jumps and spins during my first skating lessons. First I learned to glide and skate forward and backwards. Then I learned how to balance on different edges and learned the simple bunny hop and 2-foot spin. Then I started working on a lunge, sit spin, camel spin and single jumps, etc. Each skill built off each other. I practiced my spins and jumps over and over again. Yes, things get a little blurry while spinning but you get used to it and it can actually feel quite thrilling. And yes, for me it was scary to jump off the ice, but I’m glad I tried it. There’s no shortcuts. I just had to put the reps in over time and had to build strength working out with weights at the gym and when doing gymnastics. In life, we like to rush ahead but we can’t skip the process. We need to keep learning and growing and adding to the skills we’re learning. Each experience helps us gain the wisdom and knowledge and strength we need to keep moving forward.

Be a Good Steward of Your Time and Talent – I had to balance school and homework and then rush off to the rink, gym or gymnastics lessons and I was part of the high school newspaper. My schedule was packed. I didn’t have much time to slack off. When it was time to study, I had to study. Thankfully,, my grades didn’t suffer. I even made it into the National Honor Society. When I was on the ice, I had to be all there. Same was true when I was doing gymnastics. I was juggling a lot and I was thriving. I just had to focus on the task at hand. Sports isn’t just about being disciplined with how you treat your body. You also need to take care of your mind and spirit. I still like to try to stick to a schedule so I don’t miss any deadlines. And I still try to focus on the task at hand. I also make sure I’m taking care of my mind and spirit.

Bonus Lesson Seek First the Kingdom – I learned this later in life. I’m grateful that sports kept me out of major trouble, but it also took first place in my heart. It was an escape for me. My favorite athletes became my idols. I got to meet, interview or photograph many of my fave Olympians. Even though I wasn’t an elite athlete, God allowed me to go to a Winter Games and Summer Games as a reporter and spectator. Those were both amazing dreams come true! If you’re familiar with my story, you know God called me to follow Him while at a Summer Games. I write about it in God-Given Dreams (NavPress) and By Faith (available on Amazon). God also asked me to lay down my journalism career and my obsession with the Olympics. It’s been a long and winding process and journey, but I’ve learned to keep God at the center of my life. Everything else is extra. Let’s keep first things first. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV)

Special Shout Out to My Parents! I’m so grateful that my loving and hardworking parents supported my skating and gymnastics dreams in so many ways including by paying for lessons, taking me to practice, watching my competitions, buying me skates and outfits, etc. Not to mention taking me to watch countless skating shows (and elite gymnastics competitions), buying me sports magazines and memorabilia and letting me go on and on and on about my favorite athletes.

I’m grateful for my skating and gymnastics days.

Those days helped shape who I am today.

I still enjoy watching the world come together in friendly but fierce competition.

I’m so glad I can watch the Olympics as a normal person now. I don’t have to know every stat about the athletes or be glued to the screen for all the events.

There’s more I could share, but that’s it for now.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

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