With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics just one month away, Plano figure skater Amber Glenn is carrying an inspirational message with her onto the ice: “Believe and Breathe.”  The words are printed across a shirt she often wears, a personal mantra that reflects both her mental approach to compe tition and a lesson learned the hard way. “In the past, I’d get to competitions and be mid-ice, holding my breath without even realizing it,” Glenn said. “I’d have to catch myself. Something as simple as breathing matters,” Glenn said. The belief part, she explained, runs even deeper. Glenn says growing up, her mother would place small signs around her room, each carrying the same message: Believe in yourself. Years later, that encouragement has become a cornerstone of Glenn’s mindset as she prepares for the biggest season of her career. Despite the Olympic countdown, Glenn says she’s approached this season much like any other.  “Knock on wood, I’m feeling pretty good,” she said. “I’m just keeping the ball rolling, doing my job, and really trying to enjoy the process.” The Olympics, she admitted, are never far from her thoughts. Countdown clocks and constant reminders make sure of that. Still, Glenn says the pressure feels different now.   “It’s bizarre to think how soon it is,” she said. “But it’s also exhilarating. I know how hard I’ve worked to get here, and knowing I can be in that position has been really comforting.” A major factor in that comfort has been her move from North Texas to Colorado Springs, which is now her training base. As Glenn got older, she says the physical demands of elite skating increased—and so did the cost.  “Off-ice training, physical therapy, all of that adds up,” she said. “Here, I have access to the Olympic Training Center.”  Gone are the marathon days Glenn remembers from her childhood, when she would step onto the ice at dawn and skate until late afternoon. At 26, she’s now considered one of the older competitors in the women’s field. Today, her schedule balances two to three hours on the ice, six days a week, with extensive physical therapy, neuro training, and strength and conditioning.  “It’s not nearly as intense as when I was a kid,” she said. “But it’s much more intentional.”  That approach has paid off, particularly with one of skating’s most difficult jumps: the triple axel.  “It’s feeling amazing,” Glenn said. “It’s one of the most satisfying things to do.” Glenn is also unveiling a new short program this season, set to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” She describes it as a perfect blend of what she loves most about skating.  “It’s beautiful and graceful at the beginning,” she said. “But it’s also fun at the end.”  The program, she added, highlights the balance between creativity and athleticism—two elements she believes define her skating. Off the ice, Glenn has been equally open about her identity, speaking candidly about being an out LGBTQ athlete. For her, that visibility goes beyond personal pride. “There was a time—not that long ago—when athletes were afraid to come out,” she said. “I was inspired by people who were living their truth and looked so free,” she said. For years, Glenn said she felt pressure to fit a “cookie-cutter princess” image. Embracing her identity publicly changed everything.  “I felt like I was lying before,” she said. “Being able to fully embrace who I am was a huge step.” Behind Glenn’s success is a family she credits for making it all possible. Her father, who is a Plano police officer, worked overtime hours to afford skating costs. Her mother made her first costumes and worked at the rink. Her sister has been there every step of the way.  “It’s been a team effort,” Glenn said. “When I do well, they’re the first people I call, the first people I look for when I’m getting a medal.”  Even though elite winter sports athletes are rare in North Texas, Glenn knows she has a loyal home following, and she says she feels it. “I see it online. I see people from my past,” she said, recalling a moment when her first-grade teacher attended a competition in Texas.  “The excitement and exhilaration is more than I’ve ever experienced,” Glenn said. “I’m so grateful for all the Texans who have supported me. I can’t wait to celebrate with you back home.” As the Olympics draw closer, Amber Glenn is moving forward with steady confidence—breathing deeply, believing fully, and skating toward the moment she’s spent a lifetime preparing for. ...read more read less