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Careers are not individual. Success depends on partners, systems, and context, not just personal effort.

Chance and timing matter. Unpredictable events and others’ decisions can shape our career paths and outcomes.

Success is subjective. What counts as success is shaped by systems, perceptions, as well as personal values.

Career advice tends to focus primarily on certain contexts—often office jobs, start-ups, academia, or entrepreneurship. But there is much to learn from other careers, some equally prominent.

As a career researcher and ice skating enthusiast, I couldn't just watch the recent Netflix documentary "Glitter and Gold" without taking notes. The series follows the careers of—and Olympic-level, high-stakes competition among—three ice dancing teams representing the U.S., Canada, and France, and the career lessons embedded in it are hard to miss.

Who Are the Subjects of "Glitter and Gold"?

U.S.: Madison Chock and Evan Bates have been ice dance partners since 2011 and got married in 2024. They are three-time World Champions (2023, 2024, and 2025) and are known for their creative, artistic, and innovative programs, as well as their distinctive costumes. While they were considered favourites to win gold at the 2026 Olympics, they ultimately lost to the French couple (below).

Canada: Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier have been partnered since 2011. They have five World Championship medals and are known for their unique choreography and strong storytelling style. They won the bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking their first-ever Olympic medal.

France: Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron partnered in March 2025, making it one of the shortest partnerships in the history of the sport. Prior to........

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