One Jump at a Time
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4.3 • 12 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
In this exhilarating memoir, three-time World Champion and Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen tells the story of his remarkable journey to success, reflecting on his life as a Chinese American figure skater and the joys and challenges he has experienced—including the tremendous sacrifices he and his family made, and the physical and emotional pain he endured.
When three-year-old Nathan Chen tried on his first pair of figure skates, magic happened. But the odds of this young boy—one of five children born to Chinese immigrants—competing and making it into the top echelons of figure skating were daunting. Chen’s family didn’t have the resources or access to pay for expensive coaches, rink time, and equipment. But Nathan’s mother, Hetty Wang, refused to fail her child. Recognizing his tremendous talent and passion, she stepped up as his coach, making enormous sacrifices to give Nathan the opportunity to compete in this exclusive world.
That dedication eventually paid off at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, where Chen—reverently known as the “Quad King”—won gold, becoming the first Asian-American man to stand at the highest podium in figure skating. In this moving and inspiring memoir Chen opens up for the first time, chronicling everything it took to pursue his dreams. Bolstered by his unwavering passion and his family’s unconditional support, Chen reveals the most difficult times he endured, and how he overcame each obstacle–from his disappointment at the 2018 Olympic Games, to competing during a global pandemic, to the extreme physical and mental toll the sport demands.
Pulling back the curtain on the figure skating world and the Olympics, Chen reveals what it was really like at the Beijing Games and competing on the US team in the same city his parents had left—and his grandmother still lived. Poignant and unfiltered, told in his own words, One Jump at a Time is the story of one extraordinary young man—and a testament to the love of a family and the power of persistence, grit, and passion.
Customer Reviews
Quad King 👑
Nathan Chen is a truly talented and inspiring individual. I’ve been wanting him to write a memoir to share his inner thoughts and struggles ever since his Olympic appearance in 2018 when he was seen inching away from Rafael Arutyunyan in the kiss and cry area. I had previously known Rafael as he had coached Michelle Kwan for a bit (my all-time favorite skater) and I read Adam Rippon’s memoir as well. SoI knew that Rafael could be a tough coach at times when it comes to getting the best possible outcome from his students in terms of upping their technical content. But I also know that he is well loved by all of those he has coached in the past. So I didn’t really think that he had done anything to hurt Nathan... I figured that whatever was going on in that moment must have been something Nathan himself was struggling with or going through. 😢
This book delves deep into the mind of not only a figure skater, but an athlete in general and all that they have to go through and sacrifice. Nathan is also, however, a ray of sunshine and does it in a way that he doesn’t ask you to feel sorry for him. Instead he makes it a point to tell the reader that anything is really possible as long as you work hard, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with people who will be there for you, challenge you to reach your full potential, and support you along the way no matter what. It really was a VERY inspiring book to read. I even felt a little choked up at points! 🥹
This book was also FILLED with beautiful words of wisdom. At one point I wanted to post some words from it on my socials, but then quickly realized that the whole book is so well-written that really ANY given line can be used as inspirational messages and thought it would just be better to suggest the book to as many people as I can so they can hear the words of wisdom for themselves! ⛸️🥰🥇
P.S. I’ve always thought that Nathan Chen (as much as I LOVE him) talks FAST… This audiobook is no exception!! 🤭🙈 If you are trying to build up your reading speed, then this audiobook is a good test to try to read along with as you listen! 😅 Not that I am critiquing it at all, I just wanted to give anyone who might potentially want to listen to the audiobook a heads up about that! 😋
Great book.
Love Nathan’s poignant attitude towards 2018. He went through a lot and I’m so glad that he stood up again and became the OGG in 2022.
One Jump At A Time
My first Audiobook and I’m completely awed by the voice of OGM Nathan Chen as he takes you through his twenty years of ice skating life like no other. Filled with so much emotions and all the little details he shares that makes you love him so much more. You’ll never want to put his book down and never want him to end. Huge Congratulations to you Nathan Chen and your awesome Team!!