America's Coolest Skier - Julia Mancuso

We recently heard from US Ski team member, Julia Mancuso about living in Maui, this season's goals, her proprioceptive system, staying warm, victory parties, being a tabloid celeb, her favorite causes, the merits of exercise, having fun...and more...

1. First off Julia, are you healthy & 100% fit for the start of the circuit?    Unlike last year, I had a really quality summer of training on Maui. While an injury like mine doesn’t ever completely go away, I am satisfied with how it is… my mobility keeps getting better and my body coordination (especially in regards to that area) is pretty good.

2. I read your blog, and it looks like you have visited a lot of unique places and have done many fun things, not mention living your summer in Hawaii.  Was there anything you enjoy most about the summer?    I  just love that I can do whatever it is I desire on Maui and not have too many obligations. Yes, I need to sacrifice and hit the gym at a certain time, but other than that I choose what I want to do and when I want to do it. Are there waves? I’ll go surf. Is there wind? I’ll go kite surf. Is it a beautiful day for a bike ride? I’ll do that. Living from inspiration to inspiration, now that’s living and that’s the best part of my summer. 

3. You had a sensational season last year when you finished 3^rd overall, what can you do this season, finish 1st?  Any other personal goals?    You know, I’m just going to ski as hard as I can and have as much fun out there as possible. It sounds so cliché, but my ethic is one of clearing the mind and being completely present in the moment… there’s no yesterday, no tomorrow, just now, and if I can do that and just let my summer’s worth of hard training do it’s thing, then yeah sure, 1st place is a possibility. But I’m not too attached to the outcome. I know I’m not fully in control of what happens… you’ll just have to tune in and find out!

4.  How long before a run, are you at the top of the mountain?  It seems like on TV they will occasionally show stretching or equipment checks, but what really goes on pre-run?     It all depends on what bib number you drew. If you’re one of the later racers, then yes, it can take a while until it’s finally your turn. I’ve been getting the premium numbers at many events, so once the scheduled race time hits and the fore-runners hit the track, we’re pretty much ready to hit it. But yes, to prep I do active stretching to awaken my proprioceptive and nervous systems… you’ll see me doing a lot of shaking, swinging, and… smiling.

5. Are there any places you’re looking forward to competing at this season?    Well, certainly the downhill returning to the US is great. Aspen is going to be a lot of fun and hopefully a little hometurf advantage might play into my favor. Other than that, I love Cortina in Italy. It’s one of the most scenic places on the tour… breathtaking. Be sure to check out my podcast that airs several times a month… be sure to check out the Cortina Episode at http://JuliaMancuso.com

6.  Silly question, but do you ever get cold during an event?    Sure I do. People don’t know this, but our suits aren’t as insulated as it looks… but even more than that, it’s the skin that’s exposed that really gets chilled. That’s why sometimes you’ll see us wear face protection, a kind of neoprene mask if you will. Let’s say this: it’s whole heck of a lot colder than waiting for a set of waves on Maui, that’s for sure! Ha…

7.  How do you celebrate a win?     I surround myself with friends and my team mates. Every victory is different… it’s in a different town, different country, with varying degrees of entertainment and nightlife around. So in the quieter towns, I’ll just sit back with my friends and drink some champagne, eat a good meal and watch a movie. Other time/ places, I’ll go out and party all night if the mood is right!

8.  I understand you travel in Europe from event to event via a RV, are you planning that this season.  If so what’s life in the RV like?      It’s not so much an RV as it is a tour bus. My driver and cook Werner has taken big bands like Pearl Jam around on their European tour, so that’s kind of cool. Anyway, yeah, I love it, because I can just keep my belongings in one place and not have to pack, unpack, repack and unpack again from hotel to hotel. Anything that helps me feel at ease and at home while help me be better at my job. Let’s just say that accomplished business men choose to fly business or first class, because they know they need it to perform at their best when they hit that important meeting. Similarly, I have reached a level where I feel the bus is a great investment.

9. I believe you became a favorite of the European press last year, are we going to see any juicy stories or interesting photos this year?    Ha… yeah… I’m a tabloid celeb over there. They just love the gossip about me. I don’t know, I don’t pay much attention to it… and when I do, I laugh. They’re going to print what they want to print, so I guess we’ll just have to stay informed (you can read all the stories on my site when they come out if you want to stay on top of it)

10. Your unique California/Hawaiian style, and your realism, is probably one of the reasons you have so many great fans. However if you keep winning, your star status in the US will probably rise. How do you see your celebrity status and even your career developing?    I live by my motto “do what you love and love what you do” and just by following that, I believe great things will unfold. There’s a simple beauty in living this way and I think that it can translate into other people’s lives. I want to inspire people to go for it, break out of that box and just charge it (whatever “it” is)… I want to inspire to LOVE to BE FIT, not just “advocate” or “proselytize” the merits of exercise, but to really stoke people out and to have FUN with moving your butt! Ohhh so liberating and freeing when you overcome that lazy tendency and go for that surf, go on that bike ride, etc… a life on fire, that’s what I want my career to be and with more passion, comes more flame and more recognition.

Go check out WCSN.com for live ski coverage and also check out NBC’s coverage of the Aspen downhill event on the 9th of December at 2PM ET. Also tune in on Versus all year long.

I want to thank all those who enable me to do what I do… my sponsors, especially Rip It! They give a boost of energy when I need it.

Thanks to my trainers, both on the slope and off. I’m excited about Scott Sanchez and Stephan Boeker starting to take my quest to light a fire of fitness into people’s lives! Yeah, that’s what I’m looking forward to May… we’re planning a 9 week online and telephone consulting Gold Maximum Performance Training Program that will culminate in a 10 day Maui intensive life-changing camp. We’re looking to gear this program towards the aspiring amateur athlete, the competitive athlete looking for the ultimate edge, the master class athlete and the person who is looking to change her life around in profound new ways… if we do it right, this will be a great endeavor. Stay tuned by signing up to my newsletter on my website http://juliamancuso.com 

I’ll also be auctioning off my memorabilia items to raise money for my favorite charities during the season. WWF, Right to Play and my Sister April’s NPO (Livngo.org) will be the beneficiaries.

Other than that, I wish everyone out there a healthy and happy winter season full of prosperity and life-affirming events!

*All images were used with permisson from the U.S. Ski Team/USSA:  US Ski Team.

I threw in question 11 just incase she wanted to add something, haha needless to say she went to town with that answer. Great interview "classics" insights, she shows off her great skills as a pitch-women as well.  This past spring I interviewed Julia on RSW, here is a copy of that audio.  Vintage stuff, she really seems that motivated in life and she's obviously not your typical athlete during competition or outside of it.  Don't forget to check her out this ski season.