How to Pivot Your Career Without Spiraling — with Adam Rippon

Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness

Sony Music

Science, Self-improvement, Comedy, Education, Society & Culture

4.9 • 21.5K Ratings

🗓️ 10 December 2025

⏱️ 59 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Your worth is not tied to your results. This week, JVN is joined by Olympic Bronze Medalist - figure skater, author, and all-around icon Adam Rippon to talk about career pivots, personal reinvention, and why stepping into a new chapter can be one of the most powerful moves you make. They’re talking all about growing up in the golden age of 90s and 2000s figure skating, deep dives on Oksana Baiul’s online persona, and straight men with a little flourish— plus Adam’s early predictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics. They also dig into what it means to prepare for a new phase of your career or life, navigating long-distance relationships, a cosmetic procedure kiki, and Adam’s new med-spa venture. And of course: how to know when it’s truly time to make the pivot — and what it looks like to do it with confidence. Catch Adam's podcasts Intrusive Thoughts and The Run Through (which he co-hosts with Ashley Wagner and Sarah Hughs) anywhere you get your pods. Full Getting Better Video Episodes now available on YouTube. Follow Adam Rippon on Instagram @adaripp Follow Getting Better on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Follow Jonathan on Instagram @jvn Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn Senior Producer, Chris McClure Producer, Editor & Engineer is Nathanael McClure Production support: Chad Hall Our theme music is also composed by Nathanael McClure. Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey Better Babes, it's Jonathan Van Ness, and welcome to getting better.
0:03.4	Pivoting.
0:04.2	Trying something new.
0:05.3	It can be scary and it can be daunting when we've seen ourselves in a certain way and have to shift to something totally new.
0:11.4	And with Queer Eye Season 10 upon me, pivoting's been more on my mind.
0:15.2	There is someone who has threaded the needle of their pivot so well, who I respect, look up to,
0:20.4	makes me laugh and I love following,
0:22.3	and that is none other than Adam Rippon.
0:25.2	Who is, if you've been living under a rock, an Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating,
0:29.6	a coach, an on-air host, podcaster, and LGBTQ plus activist?
0:34.0	He became the first openly gay man to make a U.S. Winter Olympic team and win a medal
0:38.9	at the Winter Games in 2018. Honey, in Pyong Chang. It's like I was there. After Pyeongchang,
0:45.3	Adam retired from competitive skating and pivoted into entertainment, winning dancing with the
0:49.9	stars, appearing on shows like Stars on Mars and Messiness and doing commentary and hosting work.
0:55.3	He now is opening his first Medi spot, which I cannot wait to talk to him about, BT-dubs.
0:59.5	He's also an author of The Memoir, Beautiful on the Outside, where he talks candidly about perfectionism,
1:05.2	coming out, and learning to like the person he is off the ice.
1:08.9	Today he balances life as a coach for elite skaters, a creator, and a voice for LGBTQ inclusion
1:14.0	in sport and beyond using the artist slash athlete slash activist mix as his compass.
1:19.6	You know him, you love him.
1:21.0	It's Adam Rippon.
1:23.5	Adam, how are you?
	...

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