Brian Boitano: A TSL Interview

[@L.Spencer]

I went back and watched the 93 Skate America free skate. His spread eagles and death drops have no equal.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

100%

[@anneludlow4891]

When he skaring his long program at Calgary, I was in graduate school & had a paper due the next day; if it was late, I'd lose a third of a grade. I said to myself 'F it, I'll take that hit' & watched Brian skate that magnificent program. Btw, the prof gave me an A.

[@cherylmassarelli4699]

Fascinating interview. My daughter was on ice with Brian from her first day of skating at 7. Brian was such an inspiration of strength and perfection in training. We were so lucky to be a part of it. Absolutely the best! This interview was incredible and I remembered so much. Thank you to both of you

[@TheSkatingLesson]

So cool!

[@PeaceThroughCookies]

Superb, Dave. Your skill at scaffolding an interview arc from start to finish is on display here. Thank you to Brian for being so giving as an interviewee. This is truly a pleasure to watch and is definitely worthy of multiple viewings. ❤

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@debbiewhitehead1091]

So nice to see Brian and hear about his beginnings. Thank you

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ursulamackinnon119]

Really loving this interview and hearing Brian's story. So nice to hear the confidence he had and how he worked at it.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️

[@dustydragqueen]

GREAT inteview! Thanks TSL & Brian. So compelling. Loved all the nuanced details of his evolution, and challenges along the way. BRAVO!!!

[@michellek649]

I saw Brian skate in person and just....wow.....he is amazing.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

100%

[@QQ-wl6yt]

Missed his most important title: Eteri’s favorite skater 🔥🔥

[@TheSkatingLesson]

🤣🤣

[@barbarastansbury9670]

💀

[@trudimarrapodi6722]

Which just goes to show what an insufferable ass Eteri is. And that's not Boitano's fault.

[@ArohaStill]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@laura.it6412]

Is he really???

[@RaymondHng]

6:55 The Carpenters' single "Baby It's You" Many, many, many nights go by I sit alone; at home, I cry over you What can I do? Can't help myself ('Cause baby, it's you)

[@Fatima502]

I saw Brian win his last world title in 1988. So fascinating to hear him talk about it after all this time. I want one of those posters!

[@kellylynn904]

Brian, another one of my favorites. I saw him at Champions on Ice and was with a group that met him backstage. Another great person togo with his great skating. Fantastic interview. Nice job, Dave!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@lindaallison5338]

Thank you Dave, great interview, great insights. And thank you to Brian for being prepared to share a window into his world so openly.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@susantoker7254]

Thank you. A wonderfully relaxed an insightful interview with one of out greats. Bringing the conversation from his beginning to the current day was so enlightening. How he coped with the up and downs of competition would be inspirational to all competing athletes who face the same battles. He seems to put the same attention to all his work. Thank you Dave and Brian!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ursulamackinnon119]

Omg the quickness thing, I remember Brian trying that and I do remember thinking this is not him...his power and cleaness and crispness was his thing.

[@edwardvancampen3096]

What surprises me that the judges would say that he needs to lose weight. He had the legs, the booty and the body of a man and I think the event is called senior men. That was the one thing I liked about Brian. He had the body of a guy and he skated like a guy.

[@etherealtb6021]

@@edwardvancampen3096 Right? The flipping balls on those judges telling any skater that! Betcha they created lots of eating disorders! 😢

[@trudimarrapodi6722]

Don't get me wrong, I am completely against judges encouraging eating disorders, but "he skated like a guy"? What a retrograde comment to make. ANY way a guy chooses to skate is "skating like a guy."

[@L1623VP]

@@trudimarrapodi6722 Oh, come one. You know what he's talking about, and there is nothing wrong with it. It's a perfectly normal observation. Keep your judgment, intolerance, and politics to yourself.

[@etherealtb6021]

Loved this! Wonderful! I hope young skaters struggling with their PCS are listening. 😉

[@TheSkatingLesson]

I hope so too!

[@ddjr6673]

GREAT! Thank you so much - one of my idols growing up what an amazing guy!

[@ArohaStill]

Had such a bad night but so great to wake up to this gem! Love you Dave Lease!❤

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️❤️

[@KingJasonSlots]

Fascinating interview!!! Your content is 🔥! Brian is a national treasure! 👑

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you think so!

[@taratripodi5194]

THIS is so good 🥹. Thank you 🙏

[@TheSkatingLesson]

You're so welcome!

[@brandonsaloy]

His memory is unreal.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

It is fantastic!

[@stevenpereira4258]

This was really good. Dave is an amazing interviewer. And Brian is a delight.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@kittysk8s73]

Excellent! Thank you Dave and Brian. ❤

[@TheSkatingLesson]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@brandonsaloy]

Could truly listen to another 2 hours of him

[@TheSkatingLesson]

💯

[@LemonLadyRecords]

*Wonderful* interview! Big fan, but I forgot and was just listening to a fellow lover of skating (can you get to that level and not be?). I always felt that pure love in him, and related so much. I could listen to crossover talk forever, and figures, which I did as an adult, willingly lol. Meditation, and great for my skating. I fought my knees and health, finally a total knee, so I feel that (emotional) pain, as no more skating for me, let alone jumping. So, I really hope Brian can jump again! Probably better I don't, at 71, though I absolutely would if I could, but Brian is MUCH younger, so I hope he goes for it, wrecking knee replacements aside. The 60s-early 2000s were my years as a fan, esp 80s-90s, but then honestly it's been hard to watch, not being able to skate. But listening to an always generous Brian brought it all back, and I felt the joy again, so tyvm, guys! May you both skate for the rest of your lives! ❤️

[@alexac3098]

How did I miss this?? Only saw the popup at the end of your GP assignment roundup with Alissa. I LOVE the zoom interview Brian did with Scott Hamilton at the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve watched it three times, so much fun!

[@saramisthal6658]

This was so so good!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️🙏

[@vallardforsythe5624]

Thanks for asking him about not coming out for 25 years after his Olympic win.

[@mikeg8375]

He and Paul Wylie were my favorites growing up.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@johnbondmakeup]

Omg !!! ❤❤❤ You Brian !!!!

[@TheSkatingLesson]

[@brandonsaloy]

omg the advice from Sandra about the gay march! gave me chills.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

❤️❤️

[@carterwilson4605]

Is there a link to this video where you and Jenny judged or reviewed the 1988 Olympic competitions?

[@TheSkatingLesson]

it is on Patreon

[@reneecarlson1784]

Polina - please go back into competition! We need your skating skills!!

[@carterwilson4605]

Excellent... . I wish someone would ask him if he eventually watched Brian orser's long program at the 88 Olympics. And I wish someone would ask Brian orser the opposite question. This is the other thing I'm wondering: because it was a bit of a fluke for him to win worlds in 1986, and the Stars had to align just right for that to happen, I'm thinking that it's quite a bit of a jump only a year later to be devastated if you get second rather than first. If 1986 was a bit of a fluke, then why wouldn't you have more reasonable expectations for 1987, rather than just assume you are probably going to win first place? Apart from that one thing, his psychological approach to virtually everything is first-rate obviously.

[@will74lsn]

just watched Skate Canada 87; yes Boitano should have won 🤣

[@juanantoniomoreno3409]

Is he married to Frank? Good for him! This guys is a God.

[@TheSkatingLesson]

He has had a partner for many years.