In this episode, host Phil Osaer (Director of Athlete
Development at Suburban Sports Group and former NHL scout) sits down with Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, elite ice dancers training out of Novi Ice Arena and the Athlete Lab as they pursue their Olympic dreams. They are competing at the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis, Missouri, January 4-11, 2026.
From becoming partners to navigating the daily demands of
high-performance sport, Emilea and Vadym share an inside look at what it takes to develop chemistry, trust, and resilience at the highest level of ice dance. Their journey highlights the importance of both physical preparation and mental well-being in long-term athlete development.
Together, they dive into:
• How they became partners and built trust on and off the ice
• The role of nutrition, sleep, and education in sustaining elite performance
• Why working with a sports psychologist has been a critical part of their growth
• Lessons learne...