Elvis Stojko jokes that he can slow time when asked how he manages to fit everything into a day. From race car driving to acting, and of course, figure skating, this two-time Olympic silver medallist is now making his way to Sarnia with the national tour of Stars on Ice.
Recently, Stojko took the time to chat with The Journal over the phone about coming to Sarnia, what goes into a Stars on Ice performance, and how he’s basically Canada’s version of Mark Ruffalo—because like Ruffalo, the man doesn’t seem to age. Maybe there’s something more to that slowing down time thing.
The Journal: Great to talk to you! You’ll be heading to Sarnia for the December 7th show of Stars on Ice. Will this be your first time in Sarnia?
Elvis Stojko: I've been to Sarnia many times. It's been a while since I’ve been there—I can't even remember the last time. But I used to do the Sarnia competition every year when I was a kid... My mom had me in every competition there was in the area growing up, and Sarnia was one of them. All I knew was that Sarnia was really far away from where we lived.
TJ: So Stars on Ice will be a little bit different from a competition. What can fans or audience members expect from this year's show?
ES: This year’s going to be about just having a good time—it’s fun. We have some great skaters, including some who I don’t think have skated in Canada in a while, which is nice—Gracie Gold (U.S. Olympic medallist) being one of them.
It’s going to have a fun theme with Santa and just incorporate the personalities of everybody in the show. But a lot of it is going to be about just having a good time and bringing everyone into the Christmas spirit.
TJ: So what aspect of your personality will you be bringing?
ES: It’s always tough to find Christmas music that’s really good to skate to. It’s tricky because every year it’s the same, right? And there’s not always new stuff coming out, so you’re always trying to find something new. I’m bringing back a number I did years ago for my non-Christmas skating number, by Rob Thomas, and it was really well-received back then. I’m also doing a brand-new Christmas number we’ve put together. It’s instrumental and has all the Christmas carols in it, but with a rock theme.
And here’s the interesting part: It does have a guitar, but there are also violins, and it’s almost progressive rock where you blend classical with rock. I stumbled upon it just doing research, and it was awesome. As soon as I heard it, I was like, “That’s the piece we’re using this year.” It’s very me—it’s fun, festive, and fast... I’m glad I found it because it’s right up my alley.
TJ: You’ve been skating since you were two. How do you keep yourself passionate about it?
ES: The search for music—because I love music so much. As soon as I listen to something, I’m like, “Can I skate to that?” That’s just the way my ear works. Even if it’s just music you listen to, you’re like, “Hey, I thought that piece would be good for skating.” My wife is the same way. Our ears are always to the ground.
We’re watching movies, and we’re like, “Oh, my God, that’s a perfect piece.” Like, we were picking out stuff for the spring tour in April, and we watched a movie over the summer. I don’t want to give away which movie it was, but we were like, “Oh, my God, that ending track is awesome.” It’s a remix of another song, and we’re just like, “That’s perfect.” So we got it, and it just inspires us. That’s what feeds the skating; that’s what feeds the movement.
TJ: Did you ever think when you started skating that you would still be doing it today?
ES: Hell no. Back when I was 40, I was like, “Oh man, I don’t want to be skating until I’m 50.” But now I’m 52. It’s just the way the lay of the land is. COVID kind of screwed things up; it was two years of nothing, so that was kind of a break. But, you know, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be going because I’ve got other aspirations—racing cars, doing acting on the side.
But racing cars is not a hobby. People say, “Oh, it’s a hobby,” but I’m like, “No, it’s a career that I really want to pursue and see how far I can go, aiming for pro-level stuff.” So that’s happening alongside skating at the moment until, you know, one day I’ll say, “Okay, I’m done skating,” and I can fully embrace racing full-time.
TJ: Between racing, acting, and of course, skating, how do you find the time to fit everything in?
ES: Well, I slow down time in my mind... (laughs). I don’t know how I do it sometimes. Some weeks I’m absolutely exhausted. I’ve got to train for this or that. I was training last week. I got back into a shifter kart, a go-kart, and it’s extremely physical. I hadn’t been in one for a few years, and I’m using it for training. So I got back into it last week, and I was like, “Holy cow!” Then I was jumping from on-ice skating training.
I did dry land training, and my dry-land training is really intense because it’s partly for skating and for car racing. But it’s one of those things where you try to find the balance. Each day is different for me. I do have a routine within this hectic schedule. I try to fit in dry-land training. Sometimes it’s not the same day every week—it changes. I’m skating pretty much every single day, but then there are these offset days where I go to the track and train there.
So it’s about learning to read my body... It can be tricky. My wife is awesome. She looks after a lot of stuff for me, like my social media and things like that. We work really well together as a team, and we get things done. But in my mind, I do feel like I’m Dr. Strange, slowing down time to get everything done, and then turning time back on to go fast again (laughs).
TJ: Speaking of slowing down time, how is it that you’re basically Canada’s answer to Mark Ruffalo? How do you appear not to age—what’s your secret?
ES: Thank you! Last week I was at the MVRO (Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario), which is a big event for the Motor Vehicles Association, and I was inundated with autograph requests. So many people were saying, “How are you not aging?” And I’m like, “I am aging; my hair’s getting grey and stuff.” One thing I know is that I do watch what I eat, and I’ve always done that.
Event Details:
What: Stars On Ice
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Where: Progressive Auto Sales Arena
Tickets: Can be purchased at Stars On Ice or through the Sarnia Sting Box Office