The Art Of Becoming Yourself | Eileen Gu & Alysa Liu

Key Wellness, Self-Care, and Productivity Strategies Mentioned

• Use introspection and journaling to steer your mindset

  • Journaling helps you control what you think, which helps you control who you are.
  • The goal is progressive growth—becoming “the little younger you be proud of you today.”

• Reframe growth through neuroplasticity

  • As a young person, you can use neuroplasticity to deliberately shape yourself into the version of you you want.

• Practice preparation without regret

  • Do everything you can to prepare.
  • If results don’t come, avoid regret by trusting that you gave your best effort.

• Clarify your intentions (not pleasing others)

  • Focus on positive impact through your voice and actions.
  • Don’t “placate” people who don’t share your morals/empathy; protect your time and energy.

• Adopt a “no wrong/right—only intention” mindset

  • Let intention guide how you approach the world and disagreements.

• Use a competition mental switch

  • “Train like I’ve never won; compete like I’ve never lost.”
  • Stay pleasant with friends in daily life, then switch into a “killer” mindset on competition day.
  • Balance authenticity with context: be kind when appropriate, fierce when needed.

• Manage external expectations by grounding in effort and craft

  • After wins, expectations often rise; instead of comparing (“two medals lost”), focus on showcasing your best and doing groundbreaking work.

• Protect mental peace with boundaries

  • “Protect my peace,” and spend time with grounding people (friends/family).
  • Say no a lot to protect energy and focus.

• Rest is required to push hard

  • You can’t consistently reach your limit without rest.
  • Learn your limits by placing yourself in varied situations and observing when you’re at capacity.

• Don’t rely on motivation—use self-understanding

  • Rather than waiting for motivation, regularly step back and reassess why you do what you do.

• Build resilience by learning to operate under pressure

  • “Thick skin” is implied as necessary when facing criticism or public commentary.

• Choose a personal program and adapt intentionally

  • Create your own “program” (e.g., music/creative elements).
  • Adjust based on feedback from your body/performance:
    • If you’re skating too much → back down
    • If you’re not skating enough → ramp it up

• Limit compromise of identity

  • Success shouldn’t require abandoning what you want.
  • Avoid sacrificing yourself for goals that aren’t worth it to you.

• Detach from outcomes; focus on input and the journey

  • “Winning isn’t all that, neither is losing.”
  • What matters is the input and the journey—winning/losing can be treated as temporary.

• Take breaks—sustainability over intensity-only

  • Breaks are part of the strategy, even during active timelines.
  • Winning/feeling doesn’t have to permanently define you.

• Shift identity from titles to meaning

  • Aim to be remembered for your programs, story, and personal artistry—not just medals/titles.
  • Inspire others to “break through” by focusing on how you create and package your work.

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Presenters / Sources

• Eileen Gu
• Alysa Liu