Gracie taking some time off to seek professional help

[Maximillian]

I have to say, I'm very impressed that she explicitly stated that she was seeking ''professional help''. Good for Gracie to show by example that it's okay to ask for help.

 

[bardtoob]

I hope Gracie the best. I am glad she is getting professional help for whatever appropriate reason.

She is going to have to contemplate this until her motivation resets and comes back on. It is very difficult to regain fitness that is now gone but, since childhood, one used to always assume would be there.

I would love her to return to skating, but, when her motivation resets, if she has a new passion, then I support her doing whatever she wants with her life. Skating is not the end all be all to life. Skating is supposed to be fun, and developing oneself and competing at a high level is supposed to be personally satisfying.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I love her a lot. Hope she comes back as The Firebird!

Gold taking time off, will seek professional help
Two-time U.S. champ also announces she will not compete at Japan Open

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/09/01/251798060

After the free skate, her coach at the time, Frank Carroll, told icenetwork reporter Philip Hersh, "She has been in a deep, deep, deep depression."

Prior to those U.S. championships, Gold talked to Hersh via telephone and stopped short of saying she was depressed: "I never felt I was in an actual depression and I needed a psychologist. I was fine out of the rink. It was just in the rink and in skating (that) I wasn't myself."

 

[Carolla5501]

He was getting blasted for gossip but it was true.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. If you say enough "gossip" you get a shot at getting something right, but that doesn't deserve a pat on the back!

 

[kittyjake5]

I wish Gracie health and happiness, whether she is able to compete, or not.
Time, and care, will determine that.

This.

 

[centerpt1]

Very happy Gracie is taking steps to help herself. Her health is more important than skating. It's sad to think that contractual obligations may have kept her from getting help sooner.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Right. It's called basic human decency.

Or even posting an article about her fathers struggles (completely unrelated to her or her skating) followed by "she deserves condolences" like people can't see through the agenda to get more clicks/pat yourself on the back for being right about her. Unfortunately that's how journalism can also work in general... but the difference is it's with actual celebrities and not the personal lives of a professional athletes father. These aren't superstars for us to know all of this personal family-related gossip, they're normal people who are talented/work hard at figure skating. Not Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, TV stars where every move of their life is scrutinized. Hopefully the worst of this is all behind her.

Unfortunately it is part and parcel with the status she has as both an elite skater and spokesperson. The entire matter was in the news....regardless of who posted it here.

IMHO, it would have been smart if her "people" had released a statement in front of the news articles. They could have better controlled the story. They had to know it could not be hidden.

I don't know when the stuff with her father started, but she has not looked happy skating in a long time.

She is taking a page out of the Busby playbook: Outdaughtered

 

[Karpenko]

She's still an adult though and her own person. She wasn't financially struggling to pay for her skating because of her dads issues, so..

You can't control what your family does, I'm sure plenty of us here are mortified that we're related to some of the people in our families. I can't stand at least three people in mine and wish I could ship them overseas! It just feels like airing unnecessary dirty laundry.

 

[Deleted member 221]

I don't know, I actually think TSL may have done Gracie Gold a favor by talking openly about what various people were whispering and gossiping behind her back. For months, she has been everyone's favorite "freak show" to laugh at. The rug under which all of her problems were being swept was getting ridiculously lumpy. Sometimes things becoming public sets you free from the burden of trying to keep them quiet, even though everyone already knows anyway.

I'm more critical of Gracie's handlers for sending her out to skate when she was clearly having issues. Was it really good for her to be doing SOI in the shape she was in? Who was under any delusion that she was ready for the Japan Open?

I wish her all the best, and I respect her honesty tremendously. I hope she does what's right for her, and not what's right for her sponsors or her family's financial needs.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Right. It's called basic human decency.

Or even posting an article about her fathers struggles (completely unrelated to her or her skating) followed by "she deserves condolences" like people can't see through the agenda to get more clicks/pat yourself on the back for being right about her. Unfortunately that's how journalism can also work in general... but the difference is it's with actual celebrities and not the personal lives of a professional athletes father. These aren't superstars for us to know all of this personal family-related gossip, they're normal people who are talented/work hard at figure skating. Not Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, TV stars where every move of their life is scrutinized. Hopefully the worst of this is all behind her.

You've posted something similar every time this comes up. She's not a rock star but is a public figure with a projected image, a fan base, agent, etc. You remember the vitriol people were posting starting in 2015 about what a "head-case" she was, she deserved her loses, she was being held-up, etc. I believe since the disclosures about her father the volume on this is down. Fans are beginning to understand why she's appeared inconsistent. After following this the past year I think twice when skaters don't perform before condemning.

 

[MK's Winter]

I don't know, I actually think TSL may have done Gracie Gold a favor by talking openly about what various people were whispering and gossiping behind her back. For months, she has been everyone's favorite "freak show" to laugh at. The rug under which all of her problems were being swept was getting ridiculously lumpy. Sometimes things becoming public sets you free from the burden of trying to keep them quiet, even though everyone already knows anyway.

I'm more critical of Gracie's handlers for sending her out to skate when she was clearly having issues. Was it really good for her to be doing SOI in the shape she was in? Who was under any delusion that she was ready for the Japan Open?

I wish her all the best, and I respect her honesty tremendously. I hope she does what's right for her, and not what's right for her sponsors or her family's financial needs.

I absolutely agree. It's ridiculous that he had tried to report it earlier- for the mere fact that people needed to lay off Gracie- and was hammered for it. I can't imagine what it has been like for Gracie to have all of this going on, people knowing about it, talking about it- but not outright. This unfortunate situation with her Dad started either during or right after worlds. Let that marinate. There is a culture in skating where everything has to be a gossipy secret- I applaud Yulia. I applaud Dave for pointing out the flaws in system and otherwise- and I applaud Gracie, for sending the message that it is ok to take care of yourself- personal/mental health over the competitive season.

 

[jenniferlyon]

I don't know, I actually think TSL may have done Gracie Gold a favor by talking openly about what various people were whispering and gossiping behind her back. For months, she has been everyone's favorite "freak show" to laugh at. The rug under which all of her problems were being swept was getting ridiculously lumpy. Sometimes things becoming public sets you free from the burden of trying to keep them quiet, even though everyone already knows anyway.

Yeah, most of us skating fans have seen this sort of thing over and over again, where we can tell a skater is having major issues, but they pretend everything's fine until the elephant in the room grows so big that nobody can ignore it anymore. (I am using "elephant in the room" as a figure of speech, not to poke fun of any skater's weight problems.)

I'm more critical of Gracie's handlers for sending her out to skate when she was clearly having issues. Was it really good for her to be doing SOI in the shape she was in? Who was under any delusion that she was ready for the Japan Open? I wish her all the best, and I respect her honesty tremendously. I hope she does what's right for her, and not what's right for her sponsors or her family's financial needs.

Same here!

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

I am disheartened by what is happening to young women in this sport. That is all.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Any word on when Frank Carroll is going to seek professional help for his public tantrum issues?

Thank you for saying this.

 

[VGThuy]

I think there is some fine spinning going on. Yeah, I'm sure Dave's motivation was to protect Gracie and get people to lay off of her as opposed to just spreading information to help promote his brand as a source of skating gossip and secrets and BTS look that skating fans never get. TSL has made a career (if we can call it that) out of this sort of damaging skating gossip and cattiness that you are faulting the skating world for having, but now they are the bastion of good behavior to fight rinkside bullying and cattiness? Even if TSL's tweets caused Gracie to become open and public about it, was it really TSL's place to do that even if his motivation was an honorable one? There was no other way to help Gracie that was available other than publicly put out what some people were whispering about her and then bring up her father losing her medical license? I'm sure many social workers, etc. could think of many other ways that could have helped her that didn't resort to that. There's also something to be said if an entity took it upon themselves to be the "savior" without any notice or even any involvement. This whole thing is so ridiculous.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

I think this is some fine spinning going on. Yeah, I'm sure Dave's motivation was to protect Gracie as opposed to just spreading information to help promote his brand as a source of skating gossip and secrets and BTS look that skating fans never get. Even if TSL's tweets caused Gracie to become open and public about it, was it really TSL's place to do that even if his motivation was an honorable one?

Dave and "honorable" do not belong in the same sentence. His agenda was always 100% clear - to promote his brand. I despise people that make a career out of someone's struggles or misfortune. Whatever the ultimate outcome of his gossip, his motivation was always clear. My best wishes to Gracie. I hope she finds peace and happiness.

 

[Aerobicidal]

I don't know much about Gold's situation and the article didn't really change that, but speaking more generally, I really wish there was a way to bring the skating world into (at least what I think should be) the 21st century.

I know each skater's situation is complicated, but there seem to be way too many coaches who are creating toxic environments--for reasons related to mental health in some cases, sexual boundaries in some cases, eating issues in some cases, etc.--particularly for female skaters.

Frank Carroll may not be one of those coaches, but I do hope the increasing publicity of stories like this can encourage changes in skating that are conducive to skaters being healthier and happier.

And the day I think Dave Lease deserves credit for anything is the day Alena Leonova wins an Olympic gold medal.

 

[rfisher]

Gracie isn't skating at the Japan Open. So what. She hasn't withdrawn from her GP events and the article doesn't say she's not going to be on the ice. Do what you need GracieGirl. Skate if you want. Don't if you don't want. I'll be cheering for her at her next event.

And, I never, ever give Lease a click. I quit following TSL on any social media. I couldn't care less about his smug little "i know a secret" self-promotion.

 

[LilJen]

I have to say, I'm very impressed that she explicitly stated that she was seeking ''professional help''. Good for Gracie to show by example that it's okay to ask for help.

This. And I do hope she finds some peace and joy again. I'm confused by the "I'm taking 5 months off" coupled with "preparing for the GP series," like everyone else. But whatever she needs, she needs, and if that means missing the whole season, then so be it.

 

[Sk8tn]

I don't know, I actually think TSL may have done Gracie Gold a favor by talking openly about what various people were whispering and gossiping behind her back. For months, she has been everyone's favorite "freak show" to laugh at. The rug under which all of her problems were being swept was getting ridiculously lumpy. Sometimes things becoming public sets you free from the burden of trying to keep them quiet, even though everyone already knows anyway.

I'm more critical of Gracie's handlers for sending her out to skate when she was clearly having issues. Was it really good for her to be doing SOI in the shape she was in? Who was under any delusion that she was ready for the Japan Open?

I wish her all the best, and I respect her honesty tremendously. I hope she does what's right for her, and not what's right for her sponsors or her family's financial needs.

I agree. I think seeing links to the news article on her father as well gives general skating fans a sense of the gravity of the situation and validates that she has been trying to keep working through very difficult times.

 

[Impromptu]

This. And I do hope she finds some peace and joy again. I'm confused by the "I'm taking 5 months off" coupled with "preparing for the GP series," like everyone else. But whatever she needs, she needs, and if that means missing the whole season, then so be it.

"... she will be taking time off five months before the next Winter Olympics..."

The article is grammatically awkward. I think the author intended to say that there are [right now] 5 months to go before the Olympics, and Gracie has decided to take time off. I agree that it sounds like she's taking all those months off, but, I think the intention is that she's going to withdraw from everything prior to the G.P. to get help. (Whether or not that time off will eventually cover 5 months or not) It sounds like right now, she's planning to take 2 months off from whatever she was committed to in Sept & Oct to [do what she needs to do mentally] to prepare for the GP.

 

[Dobre]

Yes, they are saying when she is taking time off. Not how long. Saying that she is taking time off now.

The Olympics are in February.
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Oct.
Sept.

We are currently 5 months prior to the Olympics.

I have to say, I'm very impressed that she explicitly stated that she was seeking ''professional help''. Good for Gracie to show by example that it's okay to ask for help.

I utterly & completely agree with this.

And if I were to give anyone credit for helping her to see that now is always the right time to get help, it would be Julia's announcement this week.

Not a gossip preying off the story.

 

[analia]

I'm confused. "Professional help" is a code word for what exactly?

 

[DreamSkates]

I can only say I wish Gracie the best in her quest to be at peace with herself inside, and feel good about herself no matter what her skating outcomes have been, and find her confidence in her abilities and have a year she can walk away from with a smile. If you read all the articles attached to the IN article, she is really struggling. We can all easily say skating is a mind game, but when you have the expectations and weight of a country on your shoulders like she did going into Worlds, we can't even imagine what that is like. Kwan didn't win gold at the first Olympics for the same reason - it is a huge weight when you are expected to win.

 

[DreamSkates]

And for those who do twitter, maybe send her some kudos for bravery and good wishes for her future.

 

[Casey2]

Gracie-
Peace and Love

 

[Barbara Manatee]

I'm confused. "Professional help" is a code word for what exactly?

It is generally assumed to mean seeing a psychiatrist.

Good luck, Gracie. Lots of people are rooting for you.

 

[Yazmeen]

And Dave is still at it - here's a quote from TSL on Facebook:

"Athletes can't say they are withdrawing from everything due to sponsors. This means she is out for the year."

OK, I realize the chances of her doing the GP in her current state are pretty small, but I wish that little piece of crap would shut the hell up. He doesn't really know what's going on but he still has to be the one who tells everyone what he doesn't know. TSL has been a worthless ego trip gossip site since Jenny departed.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I'm confused. "Professional help" is a code word for what exactly?

For sure don't ask the Duggars

 

[Patinita]

Correct me I'm wrong I don't have access to the tweets, but didn't Dave say something more along the lines of, 'Gracie has lost the desire to skate?' whether that's true or not, in her statement she denies it. He also said something like, 'USFS was withdrawing its support...'. Again no proof that they did this. She indicated it was her decision. So technically he's not right, yet.
But that isn't even important. Whatever is going on with Gracie I applaud her getting the help that she needs. Leaving home and leaving Frank alone was never the only answer. I wish her the best.