The Skating Lesson Podcast Transcript The Skating Lesson’s Interview with Caitlin Yankowskas

Jenny Kirk: Hello, and welcome to The Skating Lesson Podcast where we interview influential people in the world of figure skating so they can share with us the lessons they learned along the way. I’m Jennifer Kirk, and by now I’m sure you know I’m a former US ladies competitor and a three-time world team member.

Dave Lease: I’m Dave Lease. By now, I’m sure you know that I was nothing in the elite skating world! But I am a figure skating blogger and a current adult skater.

Debi Thomas Interview Feedback

Jenny: Before we talk about this week’s guest, Dave and I just want to thank you guys for all the comments and e-mails we received after our interview last week with Debi Thomas. That was not her best interview, and it was definitely, I think, a learning experience, kind of a rough experience as well. The interview that we ended up running was about an hour and a half. However, in its entirety, the interview was over two and a half hours. As the editor, I had to kind of do some manipulation and pick and choose what we were going to use because during the actual interview, there were a bunch of distractions, and we had some technical issues at the end. So it was a little bit disappointing, it was a tough interview. But again, we take all of your feedback and we really appreciate it. We’re digesting it all, we’re really working hard to improve our interviews in the future, and hopefully you’ll see those improvements with our interview this week.

Dave: Yeah, it was not a fun or easy week for us, I think… a lot happened. So, we are extremely thankful for all of the comments we got, all of the constructive criticism, the Facebook comments, the e-mails, we are really taking it into consideration and look forward to improving. We don’t feel it was our best work, but we’re looking forward to the future. That said, we are extremely excited to welcome Caitlin Yankowskas to the podcast today. Caitlin is the 2011 United States National Champion in pairs. She placed 6th at that year’s world championships although she recently had to withdraw from nationals due to an injury. We’re excited to catch up with Caitlin about what life has been like and her plans for the future.

[Caitlin enters]

Josh and Caitlin out of Nationals

Dave: So, Caitlin, you and Joshua Reagan recently withdrew from nationals due to injury. We’ve heard that you’ve both been battling injuries, so what’s that status of both of your health?

Caitlin Yankowskas: We did have a few injuries this past season, and we weren’t able to compete at nationals, but you know, we’re both feeling better. You know, Josh is feeling better, and you know, I’m definitely getting healthy, and everything is going really well so far.

Dave: So what were your injuries?

Caitlin: Josh had a broken rib, and I just recently just tweaked my knee, but I mean, it wasn’t anything too major. But you know, we just – we weren’t able to really get it together fast enough. We only had like four weeks till nationals, and it just wasn’t enough time to put together, you know, two decent programs. You know, and when we compete, we want to be ready, you know, and we’re definitely working hard now for next season.

Jenny: Great, Caitlin. And nationals were last week, so I’m sure you watched, and I’m wondering – what were your impressions of the pair event? Caitlin: To be honest, I really didn’t – I didn’t watch any pairs but I…

Jenny: Was there a reason for that?

Caitlin: Well, I mean, I was sad. You know, I really wanted to be there, but Josh and I were very, very busy training. You know, we’re very, very focused on each other and it was just a little bittersweet. You know, we’re doing so much better now, and nationals was just so soon, we just focused on ourselves.

Caitlin’s “It” Factor

Dave: So you’re known for having such a regal presence on the ice. People refer to it as the “it” factor. Is it something you worked on with dance training?

Caitlin: Thank you!

Dave: Is it something that can be taught, or…

Caitlin: I have a huge background with ballet, I started with ballet, and I used to do ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip- hop, all of that stuff. So I’ve always been a professional performer, and I really do think that having that background helps with my skating. You know, and I think it just – I’ve always been very addicted to ballet, and I love the stories that they tell. And I think I have always tried to portray that, but I – yeah, definitely! I think you can learn to present yourself, but I didn’t know that I had an “it” factor! That’s so cool!

Jenny: Do you practice – do you practice ballet now, Caitlin?

Caitlin: Yes, about twice a week. Just at the rink, it’s just to help skating.

Jenny: Yeah, I grew up doing ballet as well, so it does, it really does help skating. And growing up in the sport, I was wondering, who were your idols? Who did you look up to?

Caitlin: Oh, my gosh! Well, I loved your skating. I thought you were amazing. I loved Michelle Kwan, obviously, and…

Jenny: Dave will like that, he’s a big Michelle Kwan fan!

Caitlin: She’s amazing! She was at Champs Camp this past summer, and I was like in a state of shock and awe. It was like – I love you! But I’ve always really loved Shen and Zhou, and I’m a huge, huge fan of Aliona Savchenko. She’s always been a huge idol of mine. It’s been pretty cool to compete against her now. But I think she’s an amazing skater.

Dave: Is it intimidating competing against someone you’ve looked up to?

Caitlin: No. No, not at all. I think it’s actually kind of like an honor to be on the ice with them. I’ve never really been intimidated by that.

Jenny: I like that. So Dave talked about your “it” factor, and I have to agree with him. I love – admire so much how you present yourself on the ice. But I want to know – what do you think are your strengths as a skater?

Caitlin: I think my artistry is definitely a strength. You know, the past few years I’ve really been focusing on my jumping and I think that’s good. But I think that the overall musicality of my skating and my line, I think that’s very, very good. I’ve always been about the story and the elements just help to add to the story. So I think that’s always helped my skating to be different. Caitlin Getting Into Pairs

Dave: How did you get into pair skating? Obviously, you started off in singles like many people. What made you want to get thrown and to really be the one being lifted, taking all the nasty falls?

Caitlin: To be honest, when I first started pairs, I really wasn’t into it at all. I did it because one of my really good friends, Donny, had asked me to skate with him, and I was like – yeah, I would be really kind of cool to skate with, you know, one of your best friends. And I thought skating with a boy would be fun, and I always liked the idea of, you know, having the ability to do singles and pairs – you know, tell a story by yourself and then tell a story with your partner, and it kind of correlated with ballet in that way, you know. They have their solo, and they do their pas-de-deux, and I thought, you know, that it’d be really cool to do that with figure skating because figure skating was my real love.

Caitlin and John

Dave: How did you team up with John Coughlin?

Caitlin: I had moved out to Colorado in 2007, and I was just working with Dalilah, and I moved out there without a coach and without a partner. And she that she would coach me and help me find a partner, and I was super excited to be out there – it was a different scene. [audio cuts out] You know, and she had made some calls, and I went down to Liberty to compete in the junior singles event. And we, like, bumped into each other, and at that point, John and his former partner Bridget had just broken up. Delilah was talking to John, and you know, we just kind of hooked up that way. And two weeks later, we had a tryout, and three weeks later, we decided to make it official and we decided to skate together.

Dave: So what were your initial impressions of him?

Caitlin: I thought he was huge! He was super, super tall, and I thought that he was wicked good. I thought he was way out of my league because I was just a baby novice, and he was, you know, this big shot junior/senior, and I was like a little girl like skipping to skate with him. I was just very, very excited.

Jenny: When you teamed up with John and when you first moved to Colorado Springs in 2007, you stopped skating singles at that point. What went into that decision to focus solely on pairs skating?

Caitlin: At that point, you know, Dalilah sat me down and she was like – you know, you’re moving from novice to senior in pairs. You know, there’s a lot of responsibility, there’s a lot of new elements you need to learn. I think it’s wise for you to just solely focus on pairs. I think that’s where you strength is, I think that you’re gonna make it big. And she completely supported, you know, my pairs career, and I thought to myself – I sat down with my parents because that was a big decision for me. I’d always done both, and I really wanted to, but we kind of made a family decision that it was wise to just focus on one, and you know, when I did start training full-time in Colorado, I didn’t have any time for singles. So I was really happy to just do pairs and I always loved pairs. And the more I did it, and the more I got into it, and the better we got, I just – it’s been my passion ever since.

Dave: Now, when you made the decision to go into pairs, were you fully prepared that there was potential for splits and, you know, have to look for a partner and all of that stress, and that the US doesn’t always do well internationally? Were you prepared for that, kind of, that life to be a little bit challenging?

Caitlin: To be honest, I think I was very, very lucky to find a partner so fast, you know, going from novice to senior. And I think I was a little naïve to the fact that, like, pairs wasn’t as good in the United States as it was internationally. But at that point, there were stronger teams, too, than there are currently, but I always kind of – I was always brought up, you know, with my former coach, Alex Vlassov. He always said, you know, pairs is like a marriage, you stick together, you work it out, and I always kind of had that mindset. When you are in a team, you work it out. So I was a little bit shocked. Dave: Okay. Now, there are often rumors in skating that Dalilah really clicks better with her male skaters. Did you ever click with her personally?

Caitlin: Yeah, yeah. She was wonderful. She was a phenomenal, phenomenal coach. Really, I just – I mean, she really helped me to get as good at pairs as I am, and I’m very, very grateful to have had that. Part of my career [inaudible].

Dave: What do you think her strengths are?

Caitlin: She’s great at technique, twist, throws, you know, really transitioning from the baby elements to the harder elements, you know, from doubles to triples. And she’s a taskmaster. You know, she really just follows you around the rink and gets you to do it, gets you to get consistent and be comfortable on the ice and she really helps to get the fear out of your skating.

Jenny: And Caitlin, you and John – you made such an aesthetically pleasing pair on the ice. He was really tall, you were so regal and beautiful. So I’m wondering, how did your personalities match?

Caitlin: We were always very goofy together! You know, we were very, very good friends, and yeah – he was always funny, and I was always a little more serious, but I mean, like there is – he would crack some jokes and we would just end up in, like, laughter and it was just – we were always very good friends.

Jenny: I think that’s the best, when you skate with your best friend it would seem. So for a few years, you guys volleyed back and forth at nationals between sixth place, then seventh place, then sixth place – so I’m sure that must have been so difficult. What do you think was keeping you guys from the medal podium and really that top echelon of US pair teams?

Caitlin: Gosh, I don’t know. I think it had to do with our training. You know, it took us a few years to really learn how to train together. And, you know, finally in 2010 we got a chance to train really well after coming off of, you know, being sixth and seventh, and we finally learned how to train together, and then the next year we finally learned how to compete together. And I think – it just took us a little bit longer to get used to being senior together, and I think maybe it came from inexperience on my part and just – we just had to train a little bit better.

Jenny: When you talk about having to train better, what do you mean?

Caitlin: Consistency and running programs, you know, and being comfortable with each other on the ice and having confidence in our elements.

Jenny: So, in 2011, you talk about all the pieces came together, and that was really a breakout season for you. You win your first Grand Prix medal, you win a national title, it must have been so exciting. So what changed specifically between 2010 and 2011?

Caitlin: Our elements just got very, very, very consistent. You know, we really came together as a team and, you know, there were a lot of off-ice troubles that were difficult, and skating seemed to really help to relieve some of those emotions. And, I mean, we were very there for each other at that point, and I think it came from the desire to want to get to that next level and win and I mean – really, it was just the consistency and we just loved what we were doing together.

Dave: Now, the 2011 national championships were like a three-horse race, yet you and John were really the favorites. So what was it like competing knowing that this was potentially your moment?

Caitlin: I really remember the first day of official practices as the arena – I was extremely overwhelmed, I was like – oh, my Lord! You know, I was just – I was very aware that we were the favorites, and I was kind of a hot mess, and Dalilah just looked at me, and she was like, “you know what? You did so well in the Grand Prix, just have faith in that, you’re gonna be fine, just skate like you’re at home.” And, you know, and John and I were just kind of like talking off the ice after the practice, and he was like, “don’t worry about it, we’ve been doing so well you’ll be fine.” And I was like, “okay!” So, I like, calmed myself down. And you know, from that point on, in the rest of the week, I really – I kind of envisioned that we were back in Colorado and everything was fine and we were just training at home and – and everything just – it went the way we had been training for the past, like, eight months. And it was just very fun and easy and effortless and it was really exciting to be the favorites. You know, you just kind of ride that wave.

Dave: Can you really, though, imagine yourself being back in Colorado when you’re – all the cameras are around you in your face and you hear the music going on for NBC? Do you really – can you really do that in and imagine that you’re back in Colorado?

Caitlin: It was very easy to tune out the cameras and NBC because we had such an important story to share and tell with everyone. And that was our main focus. So it was just – we really just connected together. We were just very focused on each other, so – yeah, it kind of was easy to just think about being at home.

Dave: So heading into worlds, how was training going that year?

Caitlin: Good. I mean, going into worlds, it was a little bit of like a plateau and a limbo because the earthquake happened and we weren’t really sure – you know, where we were gonna go and when it was gonna be. So we weren’t really sure how to train, but I mean, once we found out, we had a solid six weeks to train, and it was good. I mean, we were tired and sore and it was a very, very long season, but training was fine. Exciting.

Caitlin and John’s Split

Dave: Yeah. To the outside world, everything looked to be going so well that season – your medals, obviously the results were great. What was the relationship like behind the scenes? Was there tension we didn’t see, or was everything going well?

Caitlin: I mean, there wasn’t tension. We were always good friends. I mean, obviously things didn’t work out for a reason, but I mean, there was no animosity or anything like that.

Dave: Now, there have been a myriad of rumors about your split. And I think we’re just going to touch upon it and move on. The pervasive rumor is that John and Dalilah had a tryout with Caydee Denney before the world championships when she was visiting her sister. Is that true, and how aware are you of what was going on?

Caitlin: I don’t know if that is true or if that is false. I don’t think I would ever want to know that. I just – I never really asked questions. It was what he wanted, and you know, I kind of just was – you know, John was like, I always considered him my best friend. And I wanted him to be happy, and I wanted the best for him, and you know, if he wasn’t, you know, happy with his skating with me, I was just – I wanted the best for him.

Jenny: I think that’s so mature, Caitlin, not many people probably your age would be able to have that perspective, so I admire that a lot. There have also been rumors about when you new about the split, as Dave touched upon a little bit. When did you actually find out? Did you know anything because you guys skated so well at worlds. I’m sure it must have just been shocking for you to hear this. So was it something where you found out right after that event, or was it a few months later?

Caitlin: Well, I mean – I had heard the rumors right after nationals. And, I mean at that point, we had just won, and I had two major competitions to go to, so you know, I really tried to tune it out. I mean, obviously, it was always in the back of my mind, but I mean, I always loved skating with him, so I definitely kept training and just – I wanted to continue making our long program the best it could be because it was in honor of his mother, and I thought that was the most important thing to think about. You know, that was the priority. And, you know, that really helped to get, I think, the team through both competitions. But I mean, I was definitely aware of everything. But I didn’t officially know that we were going to split until the day after we got back from Moscow. So that’s when he did it.

Jenny: Wow. When you had that conversation, because I’ve been broken up with my guys but never like a skating partner, I know that there’s always that question of why. You talk about Alex Vlassov saying a pair team is like a marriage, you have to stay together. Did you ask why? Because you and John seemed to have everything going for you, and I think the skating community – we’re still shocked about it because you were national champions, you finished the highest at worlds, I think, of a pair team in the past nine years from the US. So – and you skated so well at that competition. So were you able to ask why, or was it just – he told you this, and you kind of wanted to lick your wounds in private?

Caitlin: I think – you know, everybody, I mean, obviously everybody is like – you know, what happened? It was obviously like a lot of rumors. But it was just a point where – that was where the team just ended. And I’m – it’s complicated. I mean, I think it’s honestly what he wanted. I mean, he was going through such a hard time, and you know, it was – it was just time for us to part ways.

Dave: Now your close friend was his roommate, Drew Meekins at the time with John. Did he know what was going on? Because I know that if Jenny Kirk and I were good friends and…

Caitlin: Everybody knew what was going on. I mean, it was no secret. Everybody knew.

Dave: Okay. Okay – because she would kill me if I didn’t tell her. Like I would be getting 5 AM phone calls.

Caitlin: Yeah. No, I mean, gosh, I had heard the rumors from multiple people from the rink, and I was just like – ugh, I don’t want to know, ignorance is bliss. Let me train, let me compete, let me finish my season with some dignity.

Jenny: Well, let me just – I’m sorry, I just need to say that your focus and the way that you were able to block that out and skate so well at worlds – I really admire that. So that’s very commendable.

Caitlin: Oh, thank you!

Dave: I think we both do. So did it help having a program, like a story that you really believed in to kind of carry through all that pressure and all of the craziness that was going on?

Caitlin: Yeah, I’ve always been the type of skater that I need to tell a story. I like to pick up music for certain reasons, and I want to be able to portray some sort of story to the audience so that they can enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying it. And it always helps me skate well. I mean, even with Josh now, like last year, we did our programs and we had a story and it was fun to skate to. It just makes training fun and it makes competing fun, and it takes some of the stress away.

Jenny: I agree. So after you and John broke up, you moved to Michigan to train with Marina Zoueva. Did you ever consider staying in Colorado and what went into your decision to move to Michigan?

Caitlin’s move to Michigan and period without a partner

Caitlin: I think I just – I need a change of pace. I mean, I loved training in Colorado, I mean there were phenomenal coaches out there, and I mean I had some – five of the greatest pair years of my life out there. But I needed a change, and I wanted to get into a different environment with different, you know, coaching and everything. And you know, when I got to Michigan, I had tried out with a few different coaches, and when I got to Michigan, you know, I thought – this is where I need to be, you know. Marina has been my choreographer for like, seven years, I’m familiar with her. She, you know, has all these phenomenal dancers I think I can really take up my skating to the next level being here. And obviously, Johnny is a great technician. You know, he’s had Brooke and Ben and multiple – you know, Marcy and Aaron, and multiple other, like, pair teams that have done really well. So I mean, I’ve just really enjoyed it out here.

Jenny: So what is the training camp with Marina and Johnny like compared to training with Dalilah? What are the differences between the two?

Caitlin: I would say the only difference is that out in Colorado there are pairs and out in Michigan there are ice dancers. So they are very, very similar.

Jenny: So there’s not as many throws, and – so very similar in terms of their training tactics. So when you first came to Michigan, you were partnerless for a while and you were training on your own. What goes into – if you’re a pairs skater and you’re on the ice training every day, what do you do every day, and how did you keep yourself motivated when you were searching for a partner?

Caitlin: I have to say, it was awful! Oh I hated – I hate skating by myself! When you’re part of a team, like a pair skater or an ice dancer, it’s very difficult to go into the rink every day knowing that, you know, you don’t have someone to hold your hand, and you can’t do what you really love, and you know – I just – a few months into it, I would say like around December, I looked at Johnny and I was like – I don’t think anybody’s going to come around. And he looked at me and he was like, “well, you gotta stay in shape and you never know, someone’s just gonna pop out of nowhere.” And I was like, “yeah, yeah, okay Johnny.” And then like boom! Two months later, not even, like six weeks later, Josh just showed up. And I was like – oh, boy. I definitely should have stayed in shape! But luckily, you know, he has a lot of patience and here we are today, skating with each other.

Dave: So, you briefly teamed up with former roller skater Matteo Guaris during that time.

Caitlin: Yeah, we were just training partners. We were never like an official team. We were just helping each other out because he…

Dave: Was there potential that you would be a team, or was it ever like considered you would skate with him, or…

Caitlin: No.

Dave: Okay. Now you went to the 2012 national championships and were interviewed on TV. I cannot imagine going to nationals the year after a split I had won the year before. Why would you do that to yourself?

Caitlin: I don’t know! I don’t know – when I was walking down the hallway of the rink, going to the interview, I thought to myself, “oh, boy! What am I doing?” You know, but, I really just wanted to keep my name out there and, you know, when US Figure Skating called me and said, “you know, NBC wants to interview you,” I thought, you know, this is happening for a reason. I should really try to, you know, stay in the public eye and let everyone know that I’m still training and everything, and I just was more flattered than anything that they wanted to have an interview with me.

Dave: Did you work out extra hard those two weeks before, knowing that you were going to be on TV? All these skaters are in program shape, you know…

Caitlin: Yes! Yes, I did.

Jenny: It’s like you want to look your best. Now, when you were getting interviewed, you were backstage. You had to watch John win a second national title this time with his new partner. What was that experience like? How difficult was that, and do you guys have any sort of a relationship today so if you run into them backstage at that competition, did you talk to him and Dalilah? How was that experience?

Caitlin: You know, when I had watched them win nationals, you know, I was – I was actually happy, you know. I mean, like they deserved to win, they were the best team there, and I just – I’ve always been the type of person that – if you’ve skate the best that day, then you deserve to win. So I mean it was – it was fine, and you know, when I do run into them, you know, because I did see them at Champs Camp and everything, everything’s fine, everything’s cordial, there’s no animosity there, I mean, there’s no awkwardness. I mean, we’re all part of Team USA, so I mean, I’m not like going to start like a rumble or anything! I don’t really have any hard feelings, I’m happy, I’m really happy right now.

Jenny: I’m so happy that you’re happy.

Caitlin: Thank you!

Partner search process

Jenny: So when you were at nationals that year, you did say you were looking for a partner. And I’ve always wondered – what goes into that process? Is it something like after the event, you go up to a pair team that doesn’t skate very well and you go up to the guy and say, “hey, I’m single! Like, you wanna have a tryout?” Or is it more about keeping your face in? You know, you don’t do that?

Caitlin: No, that is so not… no!

Jenny: Okay, so you’re just – it’s more about showing up and being there? What is that process?

Caitlin: I mean, the partner search process is – it’s very difficult. I mean, like, I think it’s extremely wrong to go up to a team that, you know, is still in a partnership and say, you know, “hey, you wanna have a tryout?” You know, I don’t think that’s ethical or right, I would never, ever do that. I’ve never done that. And you know, it’s sort of like a waiting game. I mean, you want to let everyone know in as many ways as possible that – hey, you know, I’m here, partnerless. I’m ready for a tryout if you wanna, like, have one. But it’s difficult sometimes when teams, you know, don’t skate well. Of course, you’re like thinking to yourself, well, maybe I could have a tryout with them. But I mean, like I would never act on that. So, it’s just a waiting game. I mean – it’s tough, it’s really difficult, stressful.

Jenny: Yes, sounds like it.

Dave: It seemed like for a couple years, there were so many fans who wanted you and Rockne to skate together because you both were so strong skaters and didn’t have partners. But you’re too tall or he’s too short. So how tall are you? Are you that tall for a pairs skater?

Caitlin: No. I mean, like I would say I am a little under 5’3”. I know I’ve heard many people say, “oh she’s 5’5”” or “she’s 5;4”,” but no, I’m still…

Dave: I think it looks longer because you have the extension, and like the toes pointed, and you just longer on the ice when you’re in the lifts.

Jenny: I like, Dave, how you’re doing the arm motions. You’re like trying to channel Caitlin.

Dave: I’m channeling Ave Maria, you know, it’s just happening!

Caitlin: You’re nailing it!

Dave: What extension, right?

Jenny: We do love your extension. So you’re currently skating with Josh. How did you and he pair up, and what can you tell us about your partnership? Caitlin and Josh

Caitlin: We paired up in March of last season, and I mean, I really – I didn’t know him too well. I knew that he was from Texas and that he had skated with David Kirby. I always thought that, you know, they were good and everything. I – he was not on my radar at all because I thought that, you know, they were, you know, fine in their partnership. And you know, he’d called me after the breakup, and he was like, “hey, I want to have a tryout with you.” And I was like – yes! You know, you’re six foot, you know, and half an inch, like, yes yes yes! Let’s have a tryout! And it ended up going really well, and – you know, unfortunately, last year, you know, we did have a few boo-boos, but you know, we are extremely motivated now, you know, especially it being like a week after nationals. You know, we so desperately wanna compete, and I’m just really, really excited. I’m very, very happy. You know, we have very similar goals, and we’ve been working hard, and he’s just – he’s so much fun to skate with, he’s so nice, he’s reliable, he’s just – he’s really great. I’m very, very lucky.

Dave: So what can you tell us about your partnership? Are you – will you get new programs from the ice? What were your programs this year? I’m sure people will want us to know. What were you planning on skating to?

Caitlin: Our short program was gonna be Daphnis et Chloe. It’s kind of like a spunky little, like, fairy piece of music. And our long was O Mio Babbino. And that was more romantic and lovey and very, very pretty. But we are gonna get new music for next year. We kind of wanna put this past season behind us and move forward and we’ve been working hard on having our line better and you know, obviously, the elements are now clicking even better than they were, and you know, we wanna tell a story. So we’re gonna pick music out that’s gonna help us tell a beautiful story for next season because obviously, next season is the Olympic trials.

Dave: So, what are your realistic goals for next year? Are you planning on doing summer competitions? Have you thought about…

Caitlin: Oh, yes! Oh, go ahead.

Dave: Are you planning on continuing on till 2018? Like have you thought that far? Like what are your goals?

Caitlin: You know, we definitely plan on doing a bunch of summer competitions, you know, getting our faces and names out there as much as we possible, doing shows, doing competitions, doing all of that stuff. And I mean, we have talked a bit about the future, but I think right now we’re really focusing on this season, and making ourselves be the best skaters that we can be for each other, and – gosh, I mean, you know, if we do well, the future is so promising.

Jenny: What would you say are your strengths together as a team? What does he offer, and what do you bring to the team?

Caitlin: He is big and strong.

Jenny: Always a good thing!

Caitlin: Yes! No, he is – his technique is extremely consistent, I mean, he – he’s a phenomenal thrower, he’s a great lifter. He’s very reliable that way, you know, and obviously, I can help bring like a different artistry factor to the team. And I think together, our look is very beautiful, and the way that we skate with each other is – it’s really, really nice. We have a beautiful line.

Jenny: I’m excited to watch you guys compete.

Caitlin: I’m so excited to compete! Like a little kid!

Dave: So you seem so at peace and happy now. Have you always been this way, or what was the process like, forgiveness and whatnot? I mean, how did you get yourself… Caitlin: Well, I mean, if you see me before a competition, I’ll be a little more stressed. No, I would say in 2011, I would say from May on till I met Josh, it was a very dark time in my life. It was very, very difficult. I mean, it was depressing, and I mean, I couldn’t do what I loved to do, and it was just difficult watching, you know, all of my friends and competitors, you know, go out there and skate. And I just so desperately wanted to continue doing that. And I couldn’t. That was very, very hard, and I would say, you know, my – my happiness and my peace now comes, you know, from skating pairs with someone who wants to skate pairs as equally as badly as I do. And you know, we just – we love skating with each other, and I’ve been really into yoga.

Caitlin and Bikram Yoga

Dave: Okay.

Jenny: Dave’s into yoga, too!

Dave: Yeah, I was so excited, because when Jenny called you the other day, you were doing bikram, and I do bikram. So…

Caitlin: Oh, I love it!

Dave: Yes! So let’s talk about it! How often do you do yoga? You’re doing ballet, and you’re – what is your training like?

Caitlin: Yay! My training is very, I think, typical for a pair girl. I mean, obviously, I want to stay in shape, so I do cardio and, you know, some weights. But I’ve been really into my bikram yoga. For the past two months, I had done it, you know, maybe like twice a week, back in Colorado for a few months, and I had stopped when I moved to Michigan because I couldn’t find a good studio. But right before Christmas, like right after Thanksgiving, I found this studio that was like twenty minutes away from the rink, and – for bikram yoga – and it was wonderful! I loved the teaching, I loved the atmosphere, I loved what they would say in class, and I’ve been doing it almost every day ever since. And I’m actually doing a thirty-day challenge and I’m on day 23.

Jenny: Wow! Congratulations!

Dave: Are you really sore? Like my hamstrings get so sore after a while from…

Caitlin: No one understands, I mean, everyone things – oh, you’re doing bikram, you’re just like in a sauna or a steam room and you’re stretching. But it’s hard work! It’s really hard work!

Dave: That triangle pose is like death when it comes around!

Caitlin: Oh, my gosh… let me tell you, I always have to take a few gulps of water before that one and collect my thoughts and find my inner balance because I’m like – that intimidates me.

Dave: Do you make Josh do it with you?

Caitlin: You know, I have begged him to come, but he is like, “no way.” He’s like, “I’m gonna go upstairs to the gym and lift some weights. Be a man!”

Dave: So are you in a class with other skaters? Because I imagine everyone hating you in that class if you have such flexibility and are in such good shape. Like, it is a rough ninety minutes, and you know if the person next to you is like really good, and there is some envy there!

Caitlin: I know. No, actually, none of the – none of the skaters at the rink go to – actually, my little girlfriend Brynn, she sometimes goes to the yoga studio with me. But no one else does bikram yoga. I think it’s – either they don’t have enough time or they’re doing other things. But the place that I go to, there are a lot of good people that are better than I am, and it’s very motivating for me.

Dave: Are your quads dead after a day of skating to then go and do all the chair poses?

Caitlin: The first three weeks of, you know, skating and doing bikram, I really felt it. I would go into the rink, and I’d be like walking like an old woman. And Josh would be like, “what did you just do?” And I’m like, “oh, I did a bikram class last night.” But after a while of getting used to it, I’m really not that sore anymore. And I’m actually seeing improvements in my skating, improvements in my flexibility and in lift positions, and my overall, like, mental clarity and, you know, my sleep is better, and it’s just really helping my skating.

Jenny: Well, it sounds wonderful. You guys make me wanna try it, but I hate getting sweaty! I hate like feeling sweaty, it just grosses me out! I’m like sweaty with strangers, I’m like – why are you sweaty near me, go away!

Caitlin: There are times where I put my feet on the floor and they slip and I’m like – oooh. It’s a little sweaty, a little gross.

Lessons for partnerless pair skaters

Jenny: I would have to like, you know, really prepare myself for that. But you said earlier, Caitlin, that you did have a hard time after the 2011 season. So I’m wondering – for other skaters, because I’m sure there’s unfortunately so many skaters out there who are going through a breakup, feeling like you did at the end of that season. And you are so happy now, you seem to be in such a great spot. So what did you learn from that time in your life, and what advice do you have for a skater who is going through a hardship like you experienced?

Caitlin: I learned that in life, there are always a lot of highs and a lot of lows, and you really just need to learn to ride the wave, ride the roller coaster ups and downs and just go with it, and know that no matter how bad it gets, it will always have an equal, opposite reaction. It’ll get better and there will be a moment in your life where you’ll be like – wow, I can’t believe I was that sad for that long, and you know, I don’t know why I went through that, or why it happened, but I mean, it’ll all make sense. It just – you need to take time and really take care of yourself. I think when you go through a hardship, it’s very important to have a lot of self-reflection and really focus on you and what your needs are and just know that everything will be okay and just really have a great support system because that’ll help you get through it.

Goals past 2014

Jenny: Really sound advice. My final question – so Dave asked about the Olympics in 2014, which I’m sure you and Josh are busy preparing for, hoping for. In an ideal world, where do you see yourself in five to ten years, and what do you want to do when you leave the sport?

Caitlin: Ooh! Okay. In five to ten years – well, I would say in five years, ideally, I guess I would like to be, you know, the favorite for the next team. I mean, that would be pretty cool. And maybe like in ten years, you know, do shows and continue doing something with the sport. Maybe coach or choreograph or help do like seminars and everything and really try to get the pairs program back up and running and fruitful, and really good again for the United States because I think there are a lot of talented skaters out there that can really help, you know, this section of our sport flourish, and I think it’s kind of overlooked right now. And I really want to help American pairs get back on track and, if I can do that in myself competing, I would be honored and thrilled, and I would love to do that. And if I can’t do that as a competitor, I would love to do that as a coach or a mentor. You know, just help out the skating community and, you know, obviously I wanna, you know, finish school and everything, and you know, have a beautiful family some way down in the future.

Jenny: Well, I think you have such a bright future ahead of you. This was so much fun! I love talking to you, and I just – I think you’re so mature, and you have a really good head on your shoulders, and you are gonna do anything you want in this life. I have no doubt you’re gonna accomplish so much. Dave: Yeah, you have such a good energy about yourself.

Jenny: Yeah, this was fun!

Caitlin: Oh, thank you so much! This was so much fun, I loved this!

Figure Skating Names/Reactions

Jenny: Well, good! We’re gonna end on another fun note. We always end our interviews asking our interviewees different names. And so we want you to tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when we say this name. So I am gonna start with your coach, Marina Zoueva!

Caitlin: Intimidating – no!

Jenny: She does seem kind of intimidating.

Caitlin: No, she’s wonderful! I love her!

Dave: Johnny Johns.

Caitlin: He’s funny. He’s hilarious.

Jenny: Okay – Meryl Davis.

Caitlin: Beautiful.

Jenny: Yeah, she’s beautiful.

Dave: Charlie White.

Caitlin: Energetic.

Jenny: Tessa Virtue.

Caitlin: Phenomenal.

Dave: Scott Moir.

Caitlin: Tenacious.

Jenny: And this is our last one – Dave calls this our “Oprah” moment, are you ready for it? We’ve never done this before! Caitlin Yankowskas.

Caitlin: Oh, boy! Happy to do this interview!

Jenny: Awww… very good answer! Well, Caitlin, this was awesome, you’re awesome, and we wish you the best of luck this season! We’re going to be following you all throughout the summer, all your competitions. And you’re welcome to come back and talk to us anytime. This was really a lot of fun.

Dave: Yeah, we can’t wait to see your new programs, so…

Caitlin: I know, I’m so excited! This was wonderful. Thank you so much for interviewing me! This was great! [Caitlin leaves]

Dave: We’d obviously like to thank Caitlin Yankowskas for all of her time and insight today. I know that when we started this podcast, the names of the top five people that we really wished to talk to this season, Caitlin Yankowskas was at the very top of that list. So this is such an absolute thrill for both Jenny and myself.

Jenny: And she has such a great head on her shoulders, she is so wise beyond her years. And I think she’s an inspiration for so many athletes, particularly pair skaters who may be going through a split right now, feeling like – will it ever get better, will I ever find that joy again? And I think she’s just such an example that you can go through it all, you can go through the tough times, but you come out the other side, and – that was just a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it.

Dave: Yeah, she is such a great spirit. I can’t wait to see their programs. I – they did an exhibition last year at Skate for Hope, and they had like little dance lifts in their program, and it was really like sexy, and it was great. And I really think that we need to go to bikram yoga with her, I think that you need to get over your sweating issues because I just think we need to do yoga with Caitlin.

Jenny: I think my issues would be fine if like you and Caitlin were on either side of me and I knew that the sweat that was sloshing around on my mat was your sweat and Caitlin’s sweat, that was okay. Just, it’s a stranger’s that gives me a little bit of heeby-jeebies! But that’s another episode! Anyway, we’d obviously also like to thank Kevin Quasnaski for our graphics and all of you guys for tuning in and watching the podcast. And always e-mail us, send us comments. We love your feedback, we really take it seriously, and we’re always looking for any ways that we can improve and make this a better product for you guys.

Dave: Yes, and we are on iTunes – it’s theskatinglesson, it’s all one word. We are so thrilled to be on iTunes, so it’s…

Jenny: Check it out, there, yeah, it’s exciting! Good things are happening.

Dave: Yes. As always, we’d like to remind all of you to hold an edge…

Together: And look sexy! Bye, guys!