Photo Credit: Will Swanagin/U.S. Figure Skating
2014 Olympian Gracie Gold’s memoir “Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out” is out today, Feb. 6.
In this tell-all memoir, Gold – a two-time U.S. champion – reveals to readers her battle with mental illness, eating disorders and the pressures she has dealt with in the world of figure skating.
In releasing her story, we caught up with Gold to discuss her book, her skating career and a hobby she’s picked up outside of the sport.
Congrats on the book! Why did you want to write a memoir?
I decided to write my book because I wanted to share my story. I think my story is probably more common than we realize, and a huge part of my book is trying to break that stigma when it comes to Olympic athletes and our mental health struggles.
What do you hope people take away from the book?
I hope that people realize when they read my book that I’m so much more than just the pretty princess ice skater that they would see on TV and that my story is at sometimes darker and not always as nice as we paint it on TV. But I don’t think my story is unique, and I think a lot of us out there struggle with mental health.
What’s the biggest message you would give to young athletes who may be feeling insecure or are struggling with their mental health?
My biggest piece of advice to any young kids or teenagers out there struggling with their mental health is just know that you are not alone.
Up to this point, what’s your favorite thing you’ll remember during your figure skating career?
My favorite skating memory is winning a bronze medal in the team event at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. [A fun fact], in both of my long programs, I actually moved my starting position down the ice a little bit so that I could start in one of the Olympic rings.
Switching topics, I know crocheting is one of your hobbies. How did that come about?
Yes, I am an avid crocheter. Earlier in the spring of 2023, I broke my fifth metatarsal and I also had a right hip injury. I was essentially on bedrest for large parts of 2023, and I needed something to do. I wanted something that was creative and was something other than sitting and watching TV. So I went to my local craft store and I got a crochet hook and some yarn and now I’m obsessed.
“Outofshapeworthlessloser: A Memoir of Figure Skating, F*cking Up, and Figuring It Out” is published by Crown and available wherever books are sold.
