GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Not all superheroes come from comic books.

“In the beginning, when I was growing up and getting introduced to the sport through my parents, I saw them as superheroes at the time,” figure skater Max Naumov told NewsNation local affiliate WOOD-TV.

Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shiskova taught their son to skate at a young age. In their prime, they were a world champion pairs team and were two-time Olympians for Russia. After they retired, they relocated to the United States and became beloved coaches at The Skating Club of Boston.

But they were on board the American Airlines flight that collided with a Blackhawk helicopter in Washington DC in January. There were no survivors.

Now every day, Max shows up to practice. He walks by a tribute to the skaters and coaches who were aboard that flight.

“One of the last conversations that we had was about the Olympics and the upcoming season. Just seeing how passionate my dad was about that stuff, and how vital and crucial it was for us to do this. I can’t tell you how much it would mean,” Max Naumov said.

Change is an inevitable fact of life for figure skaters. Each year they change routines. That brings about a change in music and outfits and skates. But nothing could have prepared Max Naumov for the changes that were thrust upon him.

Yet his goals remain the same. To make the U.S. Olympic team. To hear his name called to take the Olympic ice, just as his parents had.

“They’re my biggest supporters. My superheroes. My motivation, my drive, my reason to wake up and go to bed, is them. I don’t even know the emotions. I think it would be so overwhelming,” Max Naumov said.

Every time a skater performs, they tell a story. For Max, this year’s program is a tribute to his superheroes.

“It’s a piece about remembering, holding onto things that are very dear and close. Kind of embracing emotionally around that and using it as power around you to continue through,” Max Naumov said.

He said when he skates, everything falls away. He’s not even thinking about what he’s doing, it just comes naturally.

“I have the strength, the power, the confidence and the assistance of three people instead of just one. And I really do feel that. They are watching me and guiding me. I genuinely feel it with this program. When I can give back what I’m feeling, it becomes the most authentic and emotional experience for me. And I get to share that with everybody.”

The response from audiences has been tremendous. The emotions are raw and unfiltered, and returned right back to Max Naumov.

“It’s finding myself and my new version of myself, through skating has been a crucial part of my healing and grieving process.  It’s going to continue for a long time. It’s very therapeutic,” he said.

If with all Max Naumov has been through, if he makes the U.S. Olympic team, he’ll be someone’s superhero himself.