Lysacek is the first U.S. man to win Worlds in 13 years when he took the title in 2009 and he is also the first U.S. man to win the Olympic title since Brian Boitano won in 1988. Lysacek began skating at age 8 after his grandmother bought him skates for Christmas. Lysacek has two sisters, the older is a student and the younger played on a nationally ranked volleyball team. In 2003, Lysacek moved to California to train with Carroll. Lysacek has acting experience and appeared in a skating movie. Lysacek retired from competitive skating in 2010 but decided to come back.