January 2008

Rachelle: What is your favourtie part of skating? Hi Rachelle! My favourite part of skating when I was younger was always jumping. Now I really enjoy really telling a story with my music.

Kayla: What do you like in skating? Kayla, I like everything in skating except breaking in new skates!!

Lauren: What inspires you to keep skating if you have a bad skate or cannot land a jump? Lauren, if I have a bad skate or a tough time with a jump I am inspired to keep getting better and proving to myself that I can do it.

Rachel: If you can change anything in the world what would it be? Rachel, I wouldn't change a thing. This great big world has every opportunity I will ever need!

Meghan: Hi! You are such an inspiration to me. I started taking figure skating lessons only a few months ago and I'm 17. I was just wondering if you had any advice for me? I am very realistic, While making the national team would be amazing, its just not going to happen. But I do hope to compete in local competitions and just improve on my skills and have fun! Meghan, I hope you are proud of yourself for trying something new at any age. My advice for you is to not give up. You may get some bumps and bruises but it is all worth it when you learn a new jump or spin. I think competing at local competitions sounds great. You will have to tell me how it goes!

Kelsey: I was at your seminar on September 27, 2007, at Chelmsford Arena. It was great. You made everyone skate to a love song that a girl and a boy sang. Do you know the name of the song and who sings it? I want to skate to it. Thank you. Hi Kelsey, thank you so much!! I had so much fun with you and everyone else in Chelmsford. I think the song you are thinking of is "The Prayer" with Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. Hope this helps!

Krista: Did you have any friends that you shared your love of skating with when you were a kid? Hi Krista, OF COURSE!! Part of the great part of skating is getting to go to competitions and skate in shows with your friends. A lot of my skating friends from when I was a kid have moved on to other careers now but I remember how much fun we used to have.

Connor and Muskoka: Hi Lesley! We go to Johnson Street with Rachel and
Kayla. Our question is if you were not a skater, what would you want to do? Connor and Muskoka, what a cool question! If I was not a skater I would like to be a television broadcaster or a wedding planner.

Alexa: Hi Lesley! I just saw your website and was very inspired by you! I am an older skater too... I started when I was 14 now I am 19 and I am happy that I am not the only one trying to make it at a later age. Right now I am working on my axel and double salchow and my spins are pretty good. Like you did I waitress to get money to skate. I currently work at Bob Evans restaurant. My question for you is what do you need to do off the ice to make the jumps better on the ice? Or do you just practice your jumps on the ice? I thank you very much if you could respond to my question. By reading about you and what you went through to get to the top, I feel a little hope inside of myself! Hi Alexa, I don't practice off ice jumps a lot but I do find that a good off ice training program helps with strength and stamina on the ice.

Amber: If you wrote an autobiography, what would you call it? I would call it "Dream Big".

Janey: What do you want to accomplish at nationals? I want to win Nationals and make the World Team.

David: How do you rate your season so far? This season I would rate my self about a 5/10. I am happy with my progress in program development and technical scores and I am looking forward to improving my consistency in my short program.

Dana: What is your favorite moment of this season? My favourite moment this season so far was my long program at NHK. I had a disappointing short and I came back and fought through a good long program!

July 2007

How did you begin skating? My mom took me to skating lessons when I was 6 years old. My mom put me in skating and ballet. I loved pink and anything girly!

During the season, what is an average day like for you? On an average day during the season, I get up between 7:30-8 a.m. I am at the rink by 10 a.m. and I usually won't leave until 3-3:30 p.m. Then I'm off to pilates, ballet and the gym. I usually get home by 6 p.m., make dinner and catch up on e-mails. Then I will watch TV or read and be in bed by 10:30 or 11 p.m. Not very exciting but I love it.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while skating? Once I tried a pairs lift with David Pelletier (yes, the Olympic gold medalist) and I hit him in the face with my chest! Jamie and lots of other skaters were there and I was so embarrassed.

Out of the programs that you have skated, which is your favorite? That is a hard question! I think it is my 05-06 long program choreographed by Lori Nichol to "The Mission". My husband and I loved the music so much we played it as I walked down the aisle at our wedding.

What do you do with all of your old costumes? Sometimes I re-use the dresses as practice outfits, sometimes I sell or give them away and sometimes my little sisters play dress up with them.

What is the best part about being a member of Team Canada? The best part of being a member of Team Canada is representing Canada internationally and being able to inspire younger skaters.

What is your favorite memory as a national team member? My favourite time was when we all went country line dancing. It was a riot!

How do you pass the time on long plane rides? On long plane rides I read and play on my computer but my favourite way to pass time is to stretch! I try to go to the back of the plane and do mini pilates workouts.

Do you have any pets? No, but our roommate has a cute dog named Petey.

Do you speak any other languages? No.

If you could have lunch with any person in the world, who would you choose? That is a hard question, its a toss up between Margaret Thatcher and Lance Armstrong.

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you? Reese Witherspoon

If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you bring? A Bible, my husband and shredded mini-wheats.

If you could have one super power, what would it be? To be able to Fly!

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