Ice Dancer Maia Shibutani on Practice, Performances, and What It Takes To Be A Pro Athlete
Talk about impressive! At just seventeen years old, Maia Shibutani has traveled the world, won countless competitions in pairs skating with her older brother Alex, and is getting ready to head off to the University of Michigan this fall. Somehow, Maia carved time out of her schedule to chat with us about what keeps her motivated and how she manages to get along with her big bro. Look out for her at the US Skating Championships on January 27th and 28th, where she and Alex will be competing!
1/6The World bronze medalist, who competes with her brother, spills about how she stays motivated and the makeup she can't live without.
2/6**How did you get started in skating? At what point did you know it was going to be more than a hobby for you? **
I first started skating when I was four years old. I grew up in Connecticut, and skating birthday parties were really popular when I was young! My parents wanted me to know how to skate so that I could have fun at the parties. I started off taking group classes but immediately fell in love with skating and asked for private lessons. It became my passion, and I knew very early on that I wanted to be a skater.
**How do you motivate yourself to work out or practice when you really don't want to? **
Everyone has days when it is really hard to buckle down and practice. I've learned that putting in effort on those difficult days really matters and can make a big difference in the long run. I believe that if you love what you do, you can always find a way to consistently motivate yourself. It can be as simple as skating to some music on my iPod or remembering that there is always someone else out there who is willing to put in that extra effort.
**What music do you like to listen to before a competition? **
I listen to all sorts of music and I go through different phases, but Katy Perry always pumps me up!
3/6**How did you get started in skating? At what point did you know it was going to be more than a hobby for you? **
What have been some of the most exciting and important wins for you and your brother? The past year and a half has been very exciting for us. Last year was our first year at the senior level, and we accomplished a lot! Last January, we came in second to our training mates, Meryl Davis and Charlie White (2010 Olympic Silver Medalists), at the United States Figure Skating National Championships. As a result of our placement at Nationals, we represented the U.S. in our very first World Championships held in Moscow, Russia, last April. We quite unexpectedly won the bronze medal and were on the podium with our training mates Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (Olympic Gold Medalists). Since we all train together with the same coaches, it was an unforgettable experience for all of us.
This season, we won the silver medal at the Cup of China Grand Prix event, held in Shanghai, China, and our first gold medal at the senior level at the NHK Trophy Grand Prix Event, held in Sapporo, Japan. I am very excited for our upcoming National Championships and the rest of the season!
How do you guys get along when you've been on the road together for so long? Any advice for getting along with your siblings?
Considering how much time we spend together, Alex and I get along really well. Like all siblings, we have disagreements about really inconsequential things, like what we want to listen to in the car or what we want to eat, but we also realize that the bond that we have is very strong because we share the same goals and dreams. We have fun hanging out together, and we know that our skating enables us to travel the world quite extensively and build memories and experiences together.
My advice is to realize that the relationship you have with your sibling is very special. Don't take it for granted! Your sibling is one of the few people who you can experience your entire life with—both the good and bad days. No matter how difficult it is to get along sometimes, at the end of the day, know that your sibling will always be there for you.
4/6**How would you describe your on-ice style? What kinds of things do you like to wear when you're competing? **
My on-ice style changes depending on the program and type of music we have. For example, this year one of our programs has to be Latin dance. At Nationals for that program, I'll be wearing a bright purple dress with lots of crystals and fringe. My other costume is for a swing program, and it has a completely different look. From the beginning when we are creating costumes, I like to have a lot of input into the design. It's important for me to have a very feminine look, but I also need to have something that is comfortable and that I can really move in.
What about off the ice? How would you describe your personal style?
When I'm off of the ice and have an opportunity to wear something other than workout clothes, I like clothes that have simple yet elegant lines. Early on, my mom encouraged me to save my money and buy a few really nice pieces rather than a whole bunch of clothes. I love wearing jeans, a simple shirt, and an Eileen Fisher or Burberry jacket. I think that scarves are great accessories that can really dress up something simple. At special dress-up events, I don't try to look too much older than I am, but I want to look sophisticated. I love Max Studio and BCBG. One day, I would absolutely love to wear an Elie Saab dress. That would be a dream come true.
5/6What are your daily must-have makeup products?
At my age, I'm a big believer in looking natural and fresh. On a day-to-day basis, I don't have much time to put on makeup, but I absolutely love my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and mascara. I use Kerstin Florian cleansing gel to keep my skin from breaking out because of the constant physical activity, and I also like Pevonia products as well.
What about for a competition? Do you get to have fun with your makeup or do you keep it simple?
I do try and be more liberal in applying makeup. In a big arena, you want your features to show up. I like to focus on my eyes by using more eyeliner. I'm also careful about choosing my lip color and using a lip liner for shaping. I am constantly looking to for makeup tips!
6/6**What do you like to do on your days off? **
On my days off, I like to spend time with friends. I live in a great college town—Ann Arbor, Michigan—so there is always something to do or see! Through skating I've made a lot of friends who live in other parts of the country and around the world, and I like to chat with them through Face Time. One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my two Maltese puppies, Lily and Po (named after the main character in Kung Fu Panda). They are so lovable, and it's great that they are always so happy to see me! I also collect all sorts of memorabilia from our travels and spend a lot of time decorating my poster boards and room with them. I always try to take lots of pictures, buy a few postcards, and get some small item that reminds me of each place we've traveled. For example, I have a bouquet of carved wooden flowers from Amsterdam, some traditional nesting dolls from Moscow, and some traditional wood and paper crafts from Japan.
**What advice do you have for other young aspiring athletes? **
To do anything well, I think that you have to have passion and conviction about your sport. There is no question in my mind that you must absolutely love what you are doing. Being an athlete is physically grueling and oftentimes downright painful. For that reason, you have to have a clear vision of what your goals are and know that you can achieve them by taking small steps every day. Give yourself a little pat on the back when you accomplish something, but be ready to take the next step to become even better. It's always easier said than done, but I try.
