Amber Glenn’s path to the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France, is one that spans more than a decade. What began as a promising junior career in 2014 has evolved into a complex and inspiring story of perseverance, self-discovery, and mental resilience. Glenn’s journey is far from conventional—filled with setbacks, emotional struggles, and moments of doubt—but it has ultimately brought her to the highest echelons of Winter Olympic figure skating. As she prepares for the Grand Prix Final in December 2024, Glenn is more than just a medal contender; she is a symbol of how hard work and mental fortitude can overcome adversity.
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The Early Years: A Rising Star in Junior Winter Olympic Skating
When Amber Glenn was just 14, she made a huge splash at the 2014 U.S. Winter Olympic Figure Skating Championships. Competing in the junior event, Glenn delivered a performance so poised and polished that Damon Allen, one of her future coaches, immediately recognized her exceptional talent. I knew right away, this girl is destined for greatness, Allen recalled.
Glenn’s victory in the junior competition was notable not only for her flawless execution but also for the maturity she displayed at such a young age. Her free skate performance earned a score higher than all but the top three medalists in the senior event, despite the juniors having fewer scoring elements. At just 14 years old, it seemed inevitable that she would quickly transition into senior-level success. However, as Glenn would come to learn, the path to stardom in f Winter Olympic Figure skating is rarely a linear one.
A Decade of Struggles: Mental Health, Injury, and Inconsistency
Despite her early promise, Glenn’s rise to the top was delayed by a series of personal and professional challenges. Over the next decade, she faced multiple setbacks that tested her resolve. In 2015, after struggling with depression, Glenn took a break from skating. Her decision to step away from the sport was driven by the intense pressure she felt and her struggles with mental health. Though she returned to skating, her consistency remained elusive. At the 2022 U.S. Championships, she was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19, a bitter disappointment after coming second at nationals the year before.
In addition to mental health challenges, Glenn suffered two serious concussions over the course of her career. These injuries further impeded her progress, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already turbulent journey. Despite these challenges, Glenn never fully gave up. She continued to compete, even though she often found herself far from the level of stardom that had seemed inevitable in her early years. As she approached the 2023-2024 season, Glenn made the critical decision to recommit to her skating career, uprooting her life in suburban Dallas and moving to Colorado Springs to train with coaches Damon Allen and Tammy Gambill.
Training Evolution: Building Consistency and Mental Toughness
The move to Colorado Springs marked a turning point for Glenn, both in terms of her training and her mental approach to the sport. Allen and Gambill worked with Glenn to refine her training regimen and develop new strategies to help her manage the pressures of competition.
One of the first things Allen noted was Glenn’s need to learn how to train more effectively. It wasn’t that she wasn’t in shape to do it. She just wasn’t doing it Allen explained. Over the years, Glenn had developed a habit of not doing full program run-throughs in practice, a key component of building competitive consistency. By focusing more on the details of her training, Glenn was able to correct this and start building the mental toughness needed to handle the pressures of senior international competition. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Amber Glenn Embracing Feminine Power and Redefining Figure Skating
Mental Resilience: Harnessing the Power of Neurotherapy
Another critical aspect of Glenn’s transformation was her commitment to improving her mental game. In the past, Glenn had struggled with focus, and she often found herself mentally exhausted during competitive programs. This issue was exacerbated by ADHD and anxiety, which had made it difficult for her to maintain composure during long and demanding free skates.
To address these issues, Glenn began neurotherapy in the spring of 2023. The therapy was designed to help her get my brain to calm down, allowing her to focus better during competitions and avoid mental lapses. Glenn credited the therapy with helping her stay more grounded, even when facing difficult moments on the ice. Her ability to recover from mistakes—something that had often caused her to unravel in the past—became a defining feature of her performances.
Winter Olympic: 2023-2024 Season A Breakthrough Year
The 2023-2024 season marked a major breakthrough for Glenn, as she finally began to see the fruits of her hard work. Her first major victory came at the Challenger Series Lombardia Trophy, where she achieved personal bests in the short program, free skate, and total score. Glenn’s victory at Lombardia, where she defeated the three-time reigning world champion, Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, gave her a much-needed confidence boost. Lombardia really gave me a huge boost in confidence, Glenn said.
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The success continued at the 2023 Grand Prix of France, where Glenn earned the highest short program score ever for a U.S. woman. She followed that up with a stunning victory at the 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, where she posted new personal bests despite battling a sore right ankle and shin from a fall in practice. Glenn’s free skate in China included a triple loop-double Axel-double Axel sequence, an element with the highest base value attempted by any senior Glenn became the first woman since Ashley Wagner in 2012 to win two regular-season Grand Prix events. Her victories secured a spot in the 2024 Grand Prix Final, a major career milestone. It was the first time she had qualify for the prestigious event, and she was understandably excit. I’m just so shock and excited, Glenn said.
Winter Olympic Aspirations: Building Stability for the Long Haul
For Glenn, the 2023-2024 season has been about building stability and consistency rather than pushing her limits. In the past, she would often make mistakes when she pushed herself too hard in a program. This season, Glenn focused on maintaining her energy and avoiding unnecessary risks. I’ve always been capable on the physical side, so it’s been about just trying to do the best I can to hone my mental skills Glenn explained.
Her approach paid off at the 2023 Grand Prix of France, where she made mistakes in her free skate but managed to maintain composure and finish strong. Glenn’s ability to recover from errors—rather than letting them derail her performance—was a major step forward in her development. Similarly, at the 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Glenn faced adversity early in the program but finished with a flawless final five elements, which was a clear sign of her growth as both an athlete and a competitor.
It’s been about just being stable rather than putting out 110% because sometimes when I do that, I make very silly mistakes, Glenn said. This shift in mentality has allowed her to focus on quality over quantity, a strategy that has made her more consistent on the international stage.
Winter Olympic Dreams: A Journey of Perseverance and Growth
As Amber Glenn prepares for the 2024 Grand Prix Final, her focus is on continuing to build consistency and mental stability. She has already proven herself as a top contender, and she remains a strong medal candidate at the Final. Her long-term goal is to qualify for the Winter Olympic 2026 where she could become the oldest U.S. woman in 98 years to compete in singles.
For Glenn, the Grand Prix Final is just another step in a much longer journey. Every person has their own path, Allen said. This being the way that her path has turned out is why she’s so great now with the maturity she has after having to go through the struggles and having to go through the mental issues. I think she loves what she does way more and appreciates it much more than she did when she was younger.
In many ways, Amber Glenn’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, mental resilience, and personal growth. From a promising junior star to a Grand Prix Final contender, her journey demonstrates that success in Winter Olympic figure skating and in life does not come quickly, but through perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to overcome the challenges along the way.
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