Inside the Lines with A.J. Andrews and Patrick Chan

The most decorated Canadian figure skater of all time, Patrick Chan twirled his way into the record books — and the hearts of countless Canadians and figure skating stans — throughout his prolific pro career in the 2010s. Now, he’s made the leap to the boardroom, transitioning to a wealth management role after his retirement from figure skating.

🥇 Chan competed in three Olympic games, earning two silvers (men’s singles and team event) at Sochi 2014 and a team event gold at PyeongChang in 2018. Simply sparkling.

🏆 Known for his artistry and dazzling quadruple jumps, Chan was a three-time World Champion, topping the podium for three straight years from 2011 to 2013.

• In addition to his three golds, Chan also won two silver medals (2009 and 2010), showcasing his consistency as one of the world’s very best.

🤝 Chan has stayed close to the sport after retiring from competition in 2018, serving as an ambassador for events like the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

💰 Trading his bedazzled costumes for a suit and tie, Chan now works in wealth management and is a very proud dad to his two sons.

Today’s topic is “Navigating High-Stakes Moments” — something everyone faces, from competing on the international Olympic stage, to preparing for a boardroom presentation, to handling major life choices, and everything in between.

• A 2023 Frontiers in Psychology study found that people who frequently experience high-stakes stress are more likely to struggle with sleep issues, impaired decision-making, and emotional regulation.

• What’s more, a Harvard health study found that over 70% of individuals report that high-stakes moments in their personal or professional lives (like presentations, performances, or interviews) cause significant physical symptoms — including headaches, fatigue, and muscle tension.

• Thankfully, Chan is here to discuss how he handles these pressures, offering wisdom from his skating days and beyond.

Andrews: Of the different struggles you’ve experienced, how did you overcome them?

Chan: No matter what, you're not going to be an expert at it. I'm not going to be an expert at getting on the ice and skating a flawless performance, feeling no emotion and no nerves, no butterflies…it's something that, in one way or another, you're going to have to face.

• But at some point, I'm going to have to stand on a stage and maybe make a presentation of some kind to my coworkers or to potential clients. And I tried to think back to all those experiences, as hard as they were…that's prepared me for this moment that I'm in now.

Andrews: How did you navigate that transition from being this elite athlete, the best of the best, this Olympic medalist to now no longer [being] an athlete and moving into a different phase of your life?

Chan: Making that shift is sometimes really, really tough. And it was really ugly at times, to be honest…but now I think I have the maturity and the tools and the people who helped me get through that.

• So for me, I really cherish every single day that's a positive day, a day where I can just sit back and watch my boys play…I really want to just soak in this moment of tranquility.

• …It’s part of the journey. In order to have those good days, you need to work through those tough days.

Andrews: What would be your best advice that you would have for someone that is navigating those different transitions and being able to overcome those hardships in order to be in a good space mentally?

Chan: Don't sweat the small stuff, you know? Don't get bogged down on the details. When things are tough, you just simplify everything and remember what is most important to you. For me, it's my family. So as long as my family is healthy and we're in a good place, then I can kind of fall back on that, knowing that that foundation is there.

• …I just really try to keep it simple, be there, show up, clock in, clock out. And then next thing you know, you're going to have an amazing milestone happen in the near future. I guarantee it. It's going to happen.

• So it's just having the patience and staying positive and knowing that you are ready to face any kind of adversity that will happen. You're ready, mentally, physically, emotionally…you're ready to tackle that and get through it.

👀 Try visualization. Whether you’re gearing up for an Olympic routine or preparing for a big presentation at work, visualizing yourself being successful can help you make it happen IRL. Chan told us about his pre-skate visualization routine — test it out before your next quarterly meeting.

😅 Don’t sweat the small stuff. As Chan says, “Sometimes it’s good enough to just show up.” Giving yourself grace is the ultimate form of self-care.

🐘 Eat the elephant: Break down a large, overwhelming task into smaller, more manageable parts. Tackling big challenges can be intimidating, but taking “small bites” ensures steady progress toward “eating the elephant.”

💪 Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Chan discusses being a “chaotic skater” who “fell a lot” at an early age and how learning to keep going ultimately helped him in his career. Channel your inner Kelly Clarkson, dust yourself off, reflect, and keep on going.

🎧 Listen to the full episode. Pop in your headphones, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and listen to our full conversation with Chan. His infectious positivity and thoughtful insight will have you feeling ready to run through a wall…or conquer that big project, at the very least.