U.S. Figure Skating Expands Sport Psychology and Mental Performance Initiatives Through Partnership with O2X Human Performance

Collaboration will provide science-backed training to help skaters, coaches and families manage adversity and optimize performance

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting its athletes, coaches and families, U.S. Figure Skating has partnered with O2X Human Performance (O2X) to provide comprehensive resilience and mental performance training across all levels of the sport.  

This collaboration builds on U.S. Figure Skating’s long-standing dedication to athlete mental health and comes at a time when the figure skating community is focused on healing, growth and the pursuit of excellence – both on and off the ice.

Following the tragic plane crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 that claimed the lives of 28 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community on January 29, 2025, the organization prioritized providing tools and resources to its members in support of their mental and emotional well-being. Through this partnership, U.S. Figure Skating and O2X will broaden access to science-backed strategies to help more skaters, coaches and parents process emotions, manage stress and sustain peak performance in high-pressure environments.

“The figure skating community has faced immense challenges, and through it all, our athletes, coaches and families have demonstrated incredible resilience,” said Justin Dillon, U.S. Figure Skating’s senior director of athlete high performance. “This partnership with O2X Human Performance is about equipping them with the science-backed strategies needed to maximize excellence. Together, we are strengthening the foundation for long-term success in the sport and in life.”

O2X Human Performance specializes in optimizing cognitive, emotional and physical performance, having worked with elite athletes, first responders, military personnel and tactical professionals. The organization has trained more than 45,000 individuals to perform under pressure, recover from adversity and sustain long-term excellence.

“O2X brings a proven track record in resilience training, which aligns perfectly with U.S. Figure Skating’s goal of ensuring that quality experiences in figure skating provide athletes with opportunities to grow into healthy, happy and empowered individuals, achieving sport outcomes that reflect their full capabilities,” said Dr. Caroline Silby, head of sport psychology and mental performance at U.S. Figure Skating. “Through this partnership with O2X, we are expanding our capacity to foster a culture where mental performance and well-being are integral to every athlete’s quality sport experience.”

As part of this partnership, U.S. Figure Skating members will gain access to:

• In-person resilience training sessions at key U.S. Figure Skating camps tailored specifically to the demands of figure skating
• Workshops for coaches and parents focused on fostering open communication and supporting athlete well-being
• Quarterly virtual training sessions for skating clubs nationwide, providing ongoing education in stress management, emotional regulation and mindset training
• Practical strategies for peak performance, including breath control techniques, fatigue management and visualization for competition success

• Exclusive O2X content

“Our mission at O2X is to help individuals and teams thrive under pressure,” co-founder and managing partner of O2X Human Performance Adam LaReau said. “U.S. Figure Skating’s dedication to the mental and emotional well-being of its members is truly inspiring. Through this partnership, we aim to equip skaters, coaches and parents with actionable, science-backed tools that promote long-term resilience and performance — ensuring that they not only recover from adversity but emerge stronger than ever.”

The partnership will roll out immediately, with O2X programming debuting at four major U.S. Figure Skating camps and extending into season-long digital, print and event-based educational initiatives.

For more information about U.S. Figure Skating and its partnership with O2X Human Performance, visit usfigureskating.org and O2X.com.

Contact:

All parties interested in learning more about the relationship between O2X & U.S. Figure Skating, athlete development, and additional human performance resources can attend O2X’s Virtual Resilience Seminar on June 11th at 8:30 PM EST – led by former Navy SEAL Adam La Reau and Dr. Laurie Craigen. Register here.

Point of Contact – Adam La Reau | adam@o2x.com

About U.S. Figure Skating

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the International Skating Union. U.S. Figure Skating comprises more than 875 member clubs, collegiate clubs and high school teams, and more than 1,000 registered Learn to Skate USA programs representing over 246,000 members. U.S. Figure Skating is charged with the development of the sport on all levels within the United States, including athletes, officials, sanctioning of events and exhibitions, and establishing the rules and guidelines by which the sport is governed.

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