“If you continue to lead with your heart, anything can happen.” – Piper Gilles – 2026 Winter Olympics Canadian figure skater
Piper Gilles, a trailblazing Canadian ice dancer, embodies resilience and heartfelt dedication in the high-stakes world of competitive figure skating. Teaming up with Paul Poirier since 2014, Gilles has transformed personal challenges into triumphs, culminating in a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her words resonate as a testament to the power of passion amid adversity.
The Partnership That Defied Expectations
Gilles and Poirier’s collaboration began with a practical spark rather than instant magic. As Gilles recounted, it took ‘about five minutes’ for them to recognise their potential as a team, a sentiment echoed by Poirier1. Their coach, Carol Lane, noted the immediate chemistry: ‘I loved Piper’s personality… they just clicked.’ This unassuming start evolved into a 15-year partnership marked by unwavering commitment, even through setbacks like the disappointment following the previous Olympics1.
Strategic focus defined their current Olympic cycle. After podium finishes at every World Championships-bronze in Japan (2023), silver in Montreal (2024), and silver in Boston (2025)-they maintained stability through consistent training environments and teammate support. Lane emphasised: ‘In a world of chaos, it’s nice to know… you’re doing something you love doing.’ This approach insulated them from external pressures, including judging controversies that saw them drop to fourth at the Grand Prix Final1.
Overcoming Adversity with Mental Fortitude
The duo’s path to bronze was not without turmoil. A ‘totally crazy situation’ prompted Gilles and her peers to speak out against judging inconsistencies, a bold move in a judged sport where athletes often remain silent for fear of reprisal1. Lane advised channeling frustration productively: ‘You can have five minutes on the bitter bus and then you have to get off.’ At the Canadian Nationals in Gatineau, they refined their programmes with laser focus, empowering themselves through control over training and mental preparation1.
This mindset underscores Gilles’ philosophy. Success, for her, transcends medals; it is about delivering one’s best and cherishing the process. As Lane observed, ‘No matter how well they’ve done, they’ve always felt we’ve got more to say… they both really love what they’re doing.’ Gilles’ leadership-leading with her heart-fuels this relentless drive towards excellence at the 2026 Games1.
Leading Theorists in Performance Psychology and Elite Sport
Gilles’ emphasis on heart-led leadership aligns with foundational theories in sports psychology. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow-a state of optimal experience where passion and challenge merge-explains how athletes like Gilles sustain long-term motivation. Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, argued that intrinsic enjoyment, as seen in Gilles and Poirier’s love for skating, fosters peak performance amid pressure.
Carol Dweck’s growth mindset theory complements this, positing that viewing abilities as developable through effort leads to resilience. Dweck’s research, spanning decades, shows how embracing challenges-as Gilles did post-disappointment-drives improvement over fixed-mindset resignation. Similarly, Angela Duckworth’s work on grit, blending passion and perseverance, mirrors the duo’s 15-year journey. Duckworth’s studies of elite performers highlight sustained commitment as the true predictor of success, beyond talent alone.
In figure skating, these ideas echo through coaches like Lane, who prioritise mental harnessing: ‘What you’ve got control over is how you do approach things.’ Gilles’ story illustrates how leading with heart integrates these theories, turning potential into podium glory.
References
1. https://rwbrodiewrites.substack.com/p/olympics-2026-they-both-really-love
