There's no doubt that figure skating has opened up several doors for Chen, but it's also left some doors jammed shut. In November 2020, she took part in the #AsSheIs Instagram challenge and shared how the ice sport has negatively impacted her social life, specifically when it comes to building female friendships.
"There is no question in my mind that growing up in a solo sport has taught me so much. however, the nature of this sport has definitely led me along this mindset of having a v competitive relationship with other females whether in or out of sport. to be perfectly honest, sometimes it feels more like a burden than a source of motivation for me," she wrote on Instagram.
Moving across the country allowed Chen to challenge this obstacle head on. "This sense of realization hit me around a year ago (perhaps my college experience @cornelluniversity helped me gain perspective about how skating isn't my whole entire life) & i feel like i'm learning to appreciate & be inspired by my peers in all sorts of different ways! i really believe that supporting one another & building those strong female relationships is the key to a brighter & happier future!"
