In the next episode of Meet Team USA Figure Skating (Frozen Waters), a special mini-series from Unfiltered Waters, Katie sits down with Ilia Malinin, reigning world champion and widely known as the “Quad God.” Ilia reflects on the mental and emotional cost of constantly pushing the ceiling of what’s possible, navigating expectations that come with redefining the sport, and why embracing imperfections has been essential to his growth. He opens up about fear, failure, and what people don’t see behind the highlight reels—sharing how staying open-minded, trusting the process, and being unapologetically himself has shaped both his skating and his identity. Thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly self-aware, this conversation continues the heart of Frozen Waters—a closer look at the journeys, identities, and inner lives of Team USA figure skaters on the road to the Games.
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In the next episode of Meet Team USA Figure Skating (Frozen Waters), a special mini-series from Unfiltered Waters, Katie sits down with Madison Chock and Evan Bates, world champions, Olympic medalists, and one of the longest-standing partnerships in the sport. Madison and Evan reflect on what it takes to stay great over multiple Olympic cycles, the willingness to evolve and reinvent themselves, and how navigating injury, doubt, and major career pivots ultimately reshaped their trajectory. They open up about competing as life partners, learning to respect individuality while working as one, and why grace, love, and trust have become the foundation of both their skating and their relationship. Thoughtful, grounded, and deeply connected, this conversation continues the spirit of Frozen Waters—a closer look at the journeys, identities, and inner lives of Team USA figure skaters on the road to the Games.
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Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and updates throughout the week.
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FOLLOW KATIE ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kthoff7/
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FOLLOW MISSY ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missyfranklin88/
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
IM8health.com/discount/unfiltered for 10% off
dreamrecovery.io use code UNFILTEREDTHIRTY for 30% off
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#UnfilteredWaters #WinterOlympics #FigureSkating #IceDance

In the next episode of Meet Team USA Figure Skating (Frozen Waters), a special mini-series from Unfiltered Waters, Katie sits down with Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, ice dance partners and 2026 Four Continents champions, fresh off a whirlwind stretch that changed their lives. Emilea and Vadym reflect on qualifying for the Olympics, the moment it finally felt real, and what it means to exhale after chasing a lifelong goal. They open up about partnership, trust, and why committing to mental training with a sports psychologist transformed both their skating and their relationship on and off the ice. Honest, joyful, and deeply connected, this conversation continues the heart of Frozen Waters—a closer look at the journeys, identities, and inner lives of Team USA figure skaters on the road to the Games.
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Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and updates throughout the week.
-----
FOLLOW KATIE ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kthoff7/
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FOLLOW MISSY ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missyfranklin88/
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#UnfilteredWaters #WinterOlympics #FigureSkating