Olympic Skater Credits Cats for Mental Health Comeback

The world's best figure skater just credited his two cats for helping him overcome one of the toughest moments in his career.

Ilia Malinin, known as the "Quad God," won Olympic team gold in 2026 but struggled in his individual performance. Months later, he came back stronger than ever, claiming his third straight title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Prague.

His secret weapon? A pair of cats named Mysti and Miu miu.

"Cats help me feel better, and they help me skate better," Malinin told Men's Journal. The 20-year-old athlete says his pets helped him forget bad thoughts and calm down mentally after the Olympics.

But it goes deeper than just cuddling with furry friends. Malinin says he's adopted an actual "cat personality" on the ice.

He describes it as "not caring so much" and "letting yourself embrace every moment." When he came home with his Olympic medal, his cat ignored him completely, just like always. That perspective helps him stay grounded.

Why This Inspires

Malinin's message breaks the mold of what we expect from elite athletes. Instead of pushing through pain and pressure, he's advocating for something refreshingly simple: be kind to yourself.

"People assume athletes are like a robot," he said. "It's mainly just realizing you are human as well."

He wants people struggling with mental health to know it's okay to put themselves first. Setting boundaries isn't selfish. Admitting you can't handle everything isn't weakness.

The skater says he's learned to handle pressure slowly, one step at a time. "You learn more from losing than winning," he shared. His advice is to keep an open mind, bounce back from setbacks, and just keep going.

Since the Olympics, Malinin has received an outpouring of love and support. People stop him at stores and skating rinks to thank him for what he does for the country. But he says the real lesson is simpler: "You have to be unique, you have to be your own self."

He's partnering with cat food brand Sheba on their "ignored to adored" program, proving that sometimes the most powerful comeback stories involve accepting that not everyone (including your cat) needs to adore you all the time.

Malinin wants to symbolize resilience and bravery, and maybe one day open a cat cafe. For now, he's skating better than ever by caring a little less about perfection and a lot more about being human.