Lessons Regular Couples Can Learn From Pairs Ice Skaters

Sports psychologists share 5 tips for improving relationships from the world of competitive figure skating

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Couples watching the Olympics at home are probably wishing their relationships were more like the ones they see on ice. Sports psychologists say regular couples can learn a lot from the communication, trust, and teamwork exhibited by successful pairs skaters, even if they'll never master a triple axel.

Why it matters

While pairs skating partnerships may seem effortless on the surface, the experts say the same relationship skills that help skaters succeed - like shared purpose, open communication, forgiveness, and defined roles - can benefit any couple looking to strengthen their bond.

The details

Couples therapists and sports psychologists who work with skating pairs say the key to their success includes having a common goal, constantly communicating, being quick to forgive, building trust, and clearly defining each partner's responsibilities. Reigning world champions and married couple Madison Chock and Evan Bates credit their long-lasting partnership to these factors, noting that their skating life 'bleeds into our personal life' but that they also make time to 'unplug or unwind' from the sport.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place.
  • The 2026 United States Figure Skating Championships were held on January 10, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The players

Madison Chock

An American ice dancer and reigning world champion, who is married to her skating partner Evan Bates. They are hoping to claim their first individual Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games.

Evan Bates

An American ice dancer and reigning world champion, who is married to his skating partner Madison Chock. They are hoping to claim their first individual Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games.

Meryl Davis

An American ice dancer who won the 2014 Sochi Olympic gold medal with her partner Charlie White.

Charlie White

An American ice dancer who won the 2014 Sochi Olympic gold medal with his partner Meryl Davis.

Alex Shibutani

An American ice dancer who competed with his sister Maia Shibutani as the 'Shib Sibs' duo.

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What they’re saying

“Our skating and our professional life definitely bleeds into our personal life because it's all intertwined. It's who we are, it's what we're passionate about.”

— Madison Chock (Olympics.com)

“We definitely do take time to unplug or unwind from the day or from a competition, but there's always talk of skating around our apartment because we're goal-oriented people, so when we set goals, we plan for them, we prepare. That never stops.”

— Evan Bates (Olympics.com)

“Whenever we're on a different page or have a different vision for what we want to do, we're able to sit down and talk about it efficiently.”

— Meryl Davis (TODAY)

“Unfortunately, I lost my temper in training, and it shouldn't have happened. I apologized to Maia right after our practice. ... The intensity of what we are trying to do and the standards that we have, the two of us, we both understand (the outburst), but it was wrong and I am committed to being a better teammate.”

— Alex Shibutani (Associated Press)

“When you are working toward being your best, there are going to be intense moments, but for us we understand each other and the process and we work through it together like siblings do.”

— Maia Shibutani (Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

While pairs skating may seem effortless, the experts say the same relationship skills that help skaters succeed - like shared purpose, open communication, forgiveness, and defined roles - can benefit any couple looking to strengthen their bond, even if they'll never master a triple axel.