Jennifer Kirk has had quite the busy summer. From coaching, to interviewing, to traveling and filming on-site content, her amazing work with "The Skating Lesson" will continue as the 2015-2016 Grand Prix season goes underway.

During this exclusive interview, I asked Jenny about her experiences sharing new content for the "TSL" audience, and how her personal life has changed over the past few years.

Robert Kuang: Tell me about everything you've been doing this summer. What was it like traveling and getting on-site coverage?

Jenny Kirk: We started doing some interviews after Worlds. We had Miki and Javier on, which was fun. Then we decided we wanted to go to the training centers. We knew [we wanted to go to] Montreal for sure because Kirsten [Moore-Towers] was there and we wanted to see that dynamic. There was a month of us figuring out how we were going to get the funds to do this, and we had that really successful GoFundMe which was incredible. We're so grateful for all the support from everybody.

Robert: Were you surprised?

Jenny: Yeah! $3,500 is a lot of money. Dave and I are not...asking for money is awkward and then there's pressure that you have to deliver. When you ask for "x" amount of dollars, you're basically saying, "I think I'm worth this." So if we don't reach the goal, I'm not as good as I think I am. We're so grateful.

Robert: You and Dave live on opposite ends of the country. What was it like spending an extended period of time together?

Jenny: It was a lot of Dave Lease! He's like, "Jenny and I are best 3,000 miles apart." And it's true. We've developed a relationship that works really well because we don't fight if our communication is [long-distance]. If he says something that annoys me, I can just not respond, take a second to get myself together and respond when I'm in a clearer mindset.

Knowing that we were going to [be together] Sunday to Sunday, sharing a hotel room, renting a car, everything, it was a lot of pressure [and] a lot of stress. We had to be responsible for the equipment, manage the skaters' schedules and get the footage that we wanted. What if we didn't ask that money question we really wanted to get? There were all sorts of insecurities.

There was a week after where we didn't talk because we were overdosed on each other. But it was fine and we are fine now. I think we could definitely do it again. He's a ton of energy, [has] extreme work ethic, but disorganized, and I'm the opposite. So I think it was good because he pushed me to be a little more flexible, and hopefully the organization rubbed off on him a little bit.

Robert: Was there anything that surprised you while getting this new content?

Jenny: The biggest surprise was everybody's openness, because we said some not nice things with everybody that we saw. I said some stuff about Kirsten that I regret a little bit. After they split up, I think everybody in the skating world didn't understand what was going on. It was nice to see her, hear her side of the story and apologize to her face.

I was just surprised at how willing the skaters and coaches were to let us into their world—Meagan [Duhamel] cooking us dinner and Bruno [Marcotte] being so sweet. It was really nice getting to know them as people as opposed to just athletes that we discuss and pick apart.

Robert: You guys are really taking it to the next level because you're getting to know them not just as subjects.

Jenny: Dave has always had an easier time. He can text with skaters, say what he wants and not get [too] emotionally attached. I'm the opposite. If you're my friend or if I know you, it's hard for me to say something that I could view as criticism because as an athlete, I know how much you put into it. I've developed a deeper respect for the people that we talk about and it will be interesting to see if that changes our tune a little bit. I don't think it'll change Dave at all, and I'm learning that too. You can have an opinion and still care about the people you discuss.

Robert: Do you have any plans to change the previous season's format?

Jenny: We're hoping to get all the profiles out within the next month. So once the Grand Prix season starts (and we're hoping to be at Skate America), we can do exactly what we did last year where we have our recap every week after the event. I don't think anything will change, [but] hopefully this will open the door to give the fans increased coverage.

When we go to these events, we hope the skaters can reveal more about themselves. Through the profiles, we're showing we're not about focusing on the negative. We want you to tell us about yourself, about your training and what you've learned, and show that footage in a respectful way. So far I think we've been able to do that.

Robert: I've loved your profiles because no one has spoken to them like this before. It's a lot more intimate.

Jenny: Yeah! The production value on NBC/ABC is obviously phenomenal, but as an athlete, when they would come to my house, it would be a producer that I don't know. I was more uptight with my answers and I knew whatever profile they were going to do would be 90 seconds, if that. You're just trying to scratch the surface; you don't have the opportunity to reveal anything substantive. In a way, the skaters trust Dave and I a bit more because we've followed them for the past three or four years, and we're willing to give them the time to talk about what they truly want to talk about.

Robert: So you're drawing from your own experience as a former elite skater—the type of coverage you wish you had—and giving it back to them.

Jenny: You want people to know you. When you go out to skate, you feel the audience. You feel whether they're behind you or not. Knowing that someone could know you as a person and root for you as an athlete, that's the support you need when you're out there by yourself, because it's terrifying! So if you can look out in the audience and feel like this person is actually on my side and knows who I am, it helps you so much.

Robert: Has doing "TSL" affected your personal life in any way?

Jenny: Yeah. Because I grew up with skating and school, I've always been able to compartmentalize things. I'd go to school and not talk about skating, and I'd skate and not talk about my school and social life.

A few weeks into coaching, someone said, "What is this 'TLS' or 'TSL?'" One of the other coaches found it and now my students watch it, so it's nice to feel like I can blend the two worlds. It takes up a lot of time but I love it. I went to school for journalism and worked in commercial news for a bit, but I wasn't connected to what I was talking about. The stories would come in and come out so quickly. I love skating and I love journalism, so "TSL" is truly something that blends both careers that are so close to my heart.

Robert: What are some stories with skaters that you're excited to see unfold this season?

Jenny: The American ladies, first of all. We're going to hopefully see Ashley [Wagner] and Gracie [Gold] training the week after next. They've got to get it together in terms of being able to do a good short and good long program. Mao coming back is a huge story that we're following. And the story with the pairs. Watching Meagan and Eric, I see such change in owning who they are as people on the ice. Stolbova and Klimov are fantastic, Sui and Hang with their long program. Don't know how I feel about the dress.

Robert: [Laughs] I agree actually.

Jenny: But their skating is phenomenal. Seeing how Kirsten comes back with their new coaches. I think this is a make-or-break season for her. They need to beat Charlie [Bilodeau] and Julianne [Séguin]. They need to be in the top three at Nationals.

After Worlds, David and I were exhausted. We didn't want to have anything to do with skating, but now we're excited for the new season to start. It feels good.

Robert: How's life in San Diego? What's been going on there for you?

Jenny: I love coaching! I've never focused on coaching and doing choreography, so that was a new thing. I never had the best edges or steps in between, keepin' it real. I was good at shimmying. So it's nice to work on polishing these skaters' programs. To be able to impart that wisdom has been a lot of fun.

I'm living with my sister and her family right now, so that's nice being with my nephews a little bit more. And going to the beach and doing some fun stuff with people I met here, so it's good. I like it right now.

Robert: It must be very exciting to get back on the ice as a coach, especially since you've interviewed so many coaches. You can draw on what everyone is saying.

Jenny: And as a skater I realize, it's so not a big deal! These poor kids get so stressed out for these competitions, [I have] to be that voice to say, "It's not worth crying over your double lutz. You're going to be fine. Life will go on." I remember a coach saying that to me and I didn't get it, so I'm hoping I can be a younger voice that can tell that to my students. Life goes on even if you're not perfect.

Robert: What are some personal goals you have before the end of the year?

Jenny: I would like to meet my husband.

Robert: [Laughs] Amen!

Jenny: [Laughs] Just kidding! In terms of "TSL," Dave and I are doing these videos on YouTube, so we would like to grow our audience there. We would love to have over a million views on our videos. We want to get over 10,000 [followers or subscribers] on all social media, 20,000 by the end of the season. Locking in a sponsor would be fantastic during the Grand Prix events. We do still have the idea of building the website, which is something we would probably do mid-season as well.

Even the last few months, opening up a business bank account and making ourselves an LLC. All of these things I never would have thought I'd be doing at this point in my life, so it's fun to learn the business aspect of it. And to continue to think about where the holes are in terms of coverage of this sport and how we can close those gaps. We can be the ones to do the coverage that is needed.

Personally, [I want] to continue coaching and building my clients and student base, and to have fun with that. It's such a diversion from the stress that goes along with things like editing or interviewing. It's nice to have both worlds.

Robert: How do you juggle it all?

Jenny: I love it! When you love something it doesn't matter that you have to get up at 4:00 a.m. to coach, drive from one rink to the next, or spend hours editing. So much of this emulated what I went through with my skating career where there was constantly another target to hit. Dave and I are both people who thrive on, "Hit this mark, hit this amount of numbers, and get this number of interviews." There's always something that's driving us, that fuels us.

When you have that passion, I think you can do anything.

Robert: Is there anything else you'd like to add about your journey so far?

Jenny: I'm going to try to pronounce people's names better! And to learn a bit more. Keepin' it real, I like the fluffy part. I like to talk about people's costumes and I have a set technique that I like. I was out of skating for so long and Dave was the one who had been following it, so it took him about a year, a year and a half to get me back into the mix and the players. Now that it's been a few years of watching these guys, I'm coming to ["TSL"] with a more to impart as opposed to relying on Dave.

Robert: You've become quite the pairs expert.

Jenny: That is our discipline this season. Ice dance, I will never be able to fully jump in and enjoy, but pairs I'm all about. When we went to Montreal, the personalities were so fantastic.

Robert: Who's the most attractive male skater to you?

Jenny: I like this question! Like all-around that I have a little crush on?

Robert: Just one that really suits Jenny's taste.

Jenny: It's kind of weird but I've always had a thing for Kurt Browning. It's his personality. I remember doing "Halloween on Ice" with him in 1998. I think I was 13 but I had a little crush on him. Just the way he moves on the ice too. Who's yours?

Robert: I like Javier [Fernandez]. I like a lot of skaters for their talent, but some of the most talented also look very young, so [it's weird]. I'm impressed by male skaters who can exude masculinity without it seeming weird or awkward. I like Patrick's style for that reason because you don't think about that stuff when he's skating.

Jenny: No, he's just gorgeous to look at. He's just himself.

Robert: I like Mervin [Tran] too.

Jenny: He has, hands down, the best personality. We love him. We had so much fun interviewing him and Marissa [Castelli] in Montreal. He's a good guy. I used to have a little thing for Lloyd Eisler. I kind of liked the bad boy pairs guy. For people that we've talked about, I had my Max Aaron crush. Thankfully there's nobody that we talk about now that's too much of a heartthrob. It makes it awkward.

Robert: I'm sure they appreciate it.

Jenny: Our TSL crushes. I think Mervin will be our crush this year. I love that he just goes out and forgets that he isn't supposed to do a triple toe. He was, like, eating a power bar in the middle of their session. Hi Mervin!