‘Moving On:’ Marissa Castelli Doesn’t Want You to Call Her Retired

[Sylvia]

Article by Nick McCarvel: https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...lli-doesn-t-want-you-to-call-her-retired.aspx

... "Let's call it a 'moving-on piece,'" she told me in a recent phone interview.
Or a "moved-on piece," more accurately.
Castelli, after finishing sixth at the 2018 U.S. Championships last January with Tran, has flung herself into her post- (competitive) skating life with abandon: She's in school part-time, working as a skating coach, running half marathons, choreographing, back living in Providence with her fiancé (the couple got engaged at the end of 2018) and is – as she puts it – "very, very happy."
But just over six months ago things were much more clouded for Castelli. After Tran told her that he was headed to California to try out with other pairs partners (he now skates with Olivia Serafini), Castelli had a couple tryouts herself, neither of which were a match. Then came the discovery of the U.S. Olympic Committee's (USOC) Pivot Program, a weekend retreat that helps athletes prepare for life after elite-level competition.

I originally posted the link (in the U.S. Pairs thread) to this photo of Marissa's engagement ring as shared on her IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGXN5cnDbo/

 

[aftershocks]

https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...lli-doesn-t-want-you-to-call-her-retired.aspx

"Then came the discovery of the U.S. Olympic Committee's (USOC) Pivot Program, a weekend retreat that helps athletes prepare for life after elite-level competition."

I'm so glad to hear from Marissa on how she's doing, and it's great to know that the USOC has this 'pivot' program for athletes transitioning from competitive careers. It is surely sorely needed. I'm happy for Marissa that it cleared her thoughts and helped open the way forward for her to to enjoy the rest of her life in a productive and fulfilling way. It's cool that Marissa and her friend, Ashley Wagner, are supporting each other on their 'after skating' journeys.

Congrats to Marissa, and much good luck! Happy wedding planning too!


ETA:
There are two minor issues in the article (not specifically about Marissa), which I referenced in the U.S. pairs thread