When I was learning triple jumps as a young skater, I’d get really frustrated when one wasn’t landed to my satisfaction.

I didn’t like a landing that was scratchy, a jump that was overly tilted or a landing with a lack of speed; I didn’t like a jump I had to “save.” If I knew I could do the jump better, a less-than-stellar landing didn’t satisfy me.

My coach at the time had a different perspective.

No one begins a diet because they want to feel bad.

Even when dieting stems from self-punishment, behind the diet is the hope: Once I lose weight, I will feel better.

The attempt to lose weight comes with the promise of feeling better. And this promise is often kept—but only temporarily.

The biggest decision I made during my skating career happened a few days after starting the 8th grade.

It was a Friday night. My mom and I were sitting across from each other in our living room, 90 miles outside of Cape Cod, MA.