Sasha Cohen, Olympic Skater

Sasha Cohen earned the Silver Medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. Is she going to compete again in 2010? She says she will make that decision later this year. Qualifications for the 2010 Winter Olympics will begin in January of 2010. Her training regimen right now is hectic. From September through May she does shows (i.e. Smucker's On Ice, coming to Orlando in Feb.), she is busy touring. I spoke with Sasha just after she returned to the states from a whirlwind tour abroad. 

When she is preparing for the Olympics she sets aside blocks of time, when she is at home, is more focused and has more intensity on the ice. Sasha performs in about three to five competitions per year. While in training she will skate for three hours then does various training off the ice as well including cardio. She also enjoys yoga, pilates, going to the gym, swimming, running and biking, which she can do year round, as she lives in Newport Beach, CA. 

She admits her inspiration and motivation comes and goes but it takes balance. She has patience for what she loves to do and follows her heart. Lance Armstrong has been a great inspiration to Sasha, she readily admits. "What he did, and how he did it is unbelievable." 

She also admits that staying injury free is a challenge, you also need to know how to pace yourself. "You don't want to be lazy and you don't want to burn yourself out."