Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso is not only a world-class ski racer but also an advocate for finding balance in life, whether through yoga, surfing, or running her ski apparel brand, Akova. In a recent Instagram post, Mancuso flaunted her fit physique in a two-piece workout set while reflecting on her journey. From following her passion for fashion design to embracing the ups and downs of motherhood, Mancuso shares how she’s balancing her way through life with wellness, family, and self-care at the forefront.
Although Mancuso is known as a gold-medal Olympian, she also enjoys yoga and recently showed off her impressive skills in a recent Instagram post. “Yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages,” per John Hopkins. “And, if you’re going through an illness, recovering from surgery, or living with a chronic condition, yoga can become an integral part of your treatment and potentially hasten healing.” The benefits of yoga include improved strength and flexibility, relief from back pain, heart health benefits, improved sleep, boosts mood, and stress management.
Mancuso had her third child in June and strives for a healthy work-life balance. “I love kids- and I always wanted a big family because I love my sisters so much so here we are!,” she wrote. “We are unique and love it. I’m trying to navigate living at a resort half the year, helping them make good choices at the buffet🤣 planning the rest of our year while we are off, most importantly where to ski, what to learn outside of island life. Tapping into my own priorities of my meaning in life.” According to Indeed, “Work-life balance is a key part of a healthy and productive work environment. An individual who achieves this balance successfully dedicates an equal amount of time to work-related tasks and personal matters without experiencing stress or becoming overwhelmed.”
Mancuso owns a ski apparel company, Akova, and in an Instagram post, she shared how excited she was to pursue her passion. “Life’s funny that way; sometimes the path you thought you missed circles back to you in the most unexpected ways,” she wrote. “Dreams of designing clothing that I thought had fluttered away, have now rooted themselves firmly into my reality. So here I am, pouring my soul into every stitch and seam with Akova, bringing my vision to life.” She closed her post, stating, “It’s a testament – to always stay open, to trust the universe’s plan, and to keep your dreams alive, no matter how distant they may seem. 🌌✨ Always chase the horizon, for you never know what treasures it holds.”
In addition to skiing and yoga, Mancuso loves to surf. “Surfing improves your physical fitness, clears your mind, and acts as an emotional stabilizer. Its Zen effect soothes the mind and balances your emotions,” according to SurferToday. The site states, “Those who actively engage with surfing know that it reduces stress, boosts our mood, and even helps us overcome loss and grief. In other words, you could say that it is a crossover activity that blends meditative experiences with physical exercises.”
Mancuso has been open about the struggles of motherhood, including post postpartum and gives herself grace while experiencing ups and downs. A few weeks ago, she wrote,“Life lately! 2 months postpartum ❤️ trying to savor moments for myself, physically and mentally- I mean the mood swings are real and I do want to remind everyone going through it that it’s a thing.” She added, “Experiencing the highs and lows of life and constantly reminding myself- you are what you think. Words are vibrations and thoughts are things. Tune out the noise (and news), and remain grateful for the present moment.”