Life After Synchro

by Sara Maity

As a synchronized skater, you spend many mornings in the bitter cold, with only the still dark sky to keep you company. You become used to seeing your teammates’ faces first thing in the morning and spending every waking hour, that isn’t filled with schoolwork, on the ice. But what happens after the season is done and you’ve decided it’s time to retire from synchronized skating? Personally, I hope that day never comes, because I can’t fathom my life without the incredible support system and refuge that skating has provided for me. Unfortunately, at some point, that time will come, so to assure you that the void discontinuing synchro creates does get filled, I corresponded with a talented skater who recently stopped skating synchro competitively, Jenelle DeMedio, regarding her post-synchro endeavors. 

Jenelle has been skating for 14 years and graduated in May of 2021 from Miami University where she skated on their collegiate varsity team for all four years. She is currently an incredible coach for California Gold’s Intermediate and Novice teams, in addition to pursuing a graduate degree in neuroscience and clinical psychology!

Sara: How did you come to the decision to cease competing in synchro skating, and how did you feel at the time?

Jenelle: I always knew my senior year at Miami would be my last year skating synchro competitively. However, I never could have guessed I wouldn’t get a final season due to a pandemic. We were told our season was canceled around Thanksgiving and I was in pure shock for weeks. The realization that I would never compete at another Porter, or never get to wave to my parents in the sea of red and white during warm-up slowly set in overtime. It made me very sad and I didn’t want to accept that this was the end of my skating career. However, stepping into a coach’s role has helped me build a new relationship and appreciation for synchro. I now get to witness the love my students have for skating, and the gratitude they have to be back together again. Watching their growth unfold on the ice fills my heart with so much joy and it’s an honor to now guide them towards reaching their goals both on and off the ice.

S: What have you been up to outside of the skating world since you stopped skating synchro?

J: Life after graduation has looked a little different than I pictured. This is the first time I am sharing this openly but I think mental health is so important to talk about, especially as athletes who demand constant perfection of ourselves and our sport. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for the past three years. Following graduation, I decided it was time to finally put myself first! I spent four months in an outpatient program where I had the opportunity to learn how to manage anxiety and panic attacks, process years of bottled-up feelings, and most importantly, implement forms of self-care into my daily routine. I recently “graduated” from my program and I am very thankful for all the love and support I received along the way. I am currently applying to graduate schools in both neuroscience and clinical psychology as I’m hoping to start classes in April! I am also very excited to soon be working for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness where I will be teaching psychoeducation classes as well as leading group therapy sessions in the greater Los Angeles area.

S: How have you kept in touch with the skating community?

J: I am coaching California Gold’s Intermediate and Novice teams this season! It has been very rewarding to pass along my love and knowledge of synchro to younger skaters. I am also planning on testing my senior free dance for fun!

S: Do you miss competing in synchronized skating?

J: I definitely miss skating synchro competitively. Synchro has been a part of my life since 3rd grade and I am now 22 years old! There is nothing else that replicates the feeling of skating a clean program in front of a packed arena with your best friends by your side.

S: Do you regret your choice to stop competing?

J: I do not regret my decision to stop skating competitively after graduating from Miami. While I wish I had the opportunity to compete my senior year, I am incredibly thankful and happy with all that I accomplished throughout my skating career. There is another world outside of skating and I’m now ready to pursue another passion of mine, mental health, and neurological research! I think it’s very important to form identities and find other interests outside of skating because there is so much this world has to offer. Make time to build relationships, explore new places, and seek out other things you may be passionate about!

S: Do you have any advice for skaters who are afraid of leaving the sport or for skaters who have left the sport and miss it?

J: I would say if you are scared to leave the sport, don’t be afraid to ask for support! Skating becomes a part of our identity so stepping away from such a big part of who we are can be very challenging and you don’t have to do it alone! If you are conflicted, making a pros and cons list and talking through this with a trusted friend can be very helpful. It’s important to remember that even if you are stepping away from the ice, it will always be there if you ever want to go back. Whether it’s adult skating, becoming a tech specialist or judge, coaching, or even volunteering at competitions there are so many ways to get involved!