EMBRACING THE TRANSITION
One year later, Patrick Chan has no regrets about his decision to retire from competitive figure skating.
But retirement has not meant the 28-year-old is kicking back in a rocking chair, putting his feet up and taking it easy.
If anything, Chan has been busier than ever the last 12 months.
It has been 16 months since he last stepped onto competitive ice, but, for the most part, Canada’s Patrick Chan is looking forward not back.
Though the change of lifestyle can be daunting for many, Chan appears to be managing the transition from elite-level athlete to his new life rather well. He does admit, however, that there are still occasional brief moments when he feels the tug to his skating past.
What has helped with his transition is the presence of his girlfriend Elizabeth Putnam, with whom he lives in Vancouver. A two-time national bronze medalist in pairs with Sean Wirtz, Putnam performed on cruise ships for a number of years following her retirement from competitive skating. She now works as a choreographer in the Vancouver area.
“I retired at
