Interview
Adam Rippon, Author of "Beautiful on the Outside"
- Adam Rippon released the memoir Beautiful on the Outside at age 29, citing the closure of his athletic chapter as the catalyst for documenting his life.
- He notes the writing process was unexpectedly difficult, comparing the discipline required to a confrontation rather than a casual conversation.
- Rippon intentionally included accounts of failure and lack of success, believing these moments offered his most significant self-discoveries.
- Rippon's early athletic trajectory was defined by physical limitations and lack of success in team sports.
- As a child, he weighed only 42 pounds, making him the smallest in his class and consistently selected last for teams.
- In baseball, he exploited a rule regarding being hit by a pitch to avoid striking out, though this did not translate to long-term success in the sport.
- He initially found ice skating "awful" and freezing at age 9, but his perspective shifted during his 10th birthday in 1999.
- Listening to Prince's "Party Like It's 1999" repeatedly sparked an immediate, intense desire to return to the rink, leading to his enrollment in group classes shortly thereafter.
- Rippon's coaching experiences shaped a work ethic rooted in skepticism of praise.
- He observed that "brutal" and critical coaches felt the most honest, leading him to believe compliments were often dishonest.
- This dynamic ingrained a fear of trusting anyone unless they offered critical feedback, a trait he carries into his post-athletic career.
- Home schooling allowed Rippon to focus entirely on skating without perceiving it as a sacrifice.
- He viewed the lack of traditional social opportunities (parties, friends) as irrelevant given his isolation in childhood.
- He considered the ability to pursue his passion daily an "amazing opportunity" rather than a loss of normalcy.
- Rippon's path to the 2018 Olympics was marked by repeated disappointments, including a 2014 failure and injuries.
- He missed the 2014 Olympic team despite feeling it was his final window of opportunity as a first-time qualifier at age 24.
- His belief in his ability to compete at the Olympic level solidified only two years prior to the 2018 games.
- A pivotal mindset shift occurred when he realized Olympic athletes remained "normal people" post-competition, allowing him to view the Games as a goal rather than a requirement for his identity.
- Rippon's coming out journey involved a gradual process influenced by the political climate and the figure skating community's culture.
- He initially came out to friends and competitors before 2015, noting they did not treat him differently.
- The 2014 Sochi Olympics and Russia's anti-gay propaganda law heightened his awareness of potential risks to teammates and himself.
- He noted internalized homophobia among officials and judges, who appeared to favor athletes who fit traditional heteronormative images.
- The 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage served as an empowering moment, freeing him from the fear that being out would end his Olympic hopes.
- Rippon qualified for the 2018 Olympics following a dislocated shoulder and a prior foot fracture.
- Qualification was announced via text message four to five hours after his final competition at the national championships.
- Upon receiving the news, he felt a "giant exhale" and relief rather than immediate excitement, marking the culmination of a long journey.
- During the 2018 Team Event, Rippon played a strategic role to support gold medal favorite Nathan Chen.
- The team strategy involved Rippon skating the free program to allow Chen to rest for the individual competition.
- When Chen performed poorly in the short program, the U.S. team faced a risk of falling to fourth place.
- Rippon delivered a career-defining performance, skating one of the best programs of his life to secure the team a medal.
- Rippon's media engagement strategy at the 2018 Olympics focused on radical authenticity.
- He deliberately abandoned the standard athlete front of perfection, sharing vulnerabilities like stress-induced gastrointestinal issues.
- This approach made him a media favorite, contrasting with athletes who maintain a stoic or overly polished public persona.
- Post-Olympics, Rippon redefined success by shifting focus from the podium to his identity as an entertainer.
- He realized his "winning moment" was the ability to be genuine and bring joy to others, rather than just standing on the podium.
- This realization allowed him to embrace his platform as a source of representation and connection, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.
- He has since leveraged this platform into media opportunities, including Dancing with the Stars and his new book, moving beyond the traditional confines of athletic retirement.