Just Be Yourself with Julia Mancuso

In the Season 1 finale of Just Be Yourself with Julia Mancuso, professional skier Lynsey Dyer grew up in a modest family alongside the ultra-wealthy and famous in Sun Valley, Idaho.  She walked away from Olympic dreams to pursue the freedom of big mountain skiing along a path less traveled facing injury, avalanches, death, and a 75 ft. cliff jump to prove the impossible is possible.

"You only have so much life energy, what are you going to give it to?  How are you going to make it count?"
- Lynsey Dyer

Rowena Bright Hyldahl grew up as one of five siblings in a Mormon family on a modest sheep farm in Australia.   While watching the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics at the age of 4 she declared she would one day be in the Olympics.  Her story and journey redefines the meaning of Olympic glory.   

In Chapter 2, I reflect on my childhood struggles after my father's shocking arrest, my first trip to visit him in prison and losing our family home shortly after my youngest sister was born.  

These special 'Chapter' episodes give me a chance to tell my story as it happened from my earliest childhood memories to the peak of my competitive skiing career to the present day. 

Torah Bright grew up on a sheep farm in Australia as one of five siblings who overcame injury and adversity along her journey to the top of the snowboarding world.  Also, join Julia at the very moment she receives some truly life-changing news. 

These special 'Chapter' episodes give me a chance to tell my story as it happened from my earliest childhood memories to the peak of my competitive skiing career to the present day.  In Chapter 1, I begin with one of my earliest memories at age 5 waking up one morning to discover something wasn't right.  Soon my childhood would be forever changed. 

Laurenne Ross is an Olympic skier with deep creative roots in music, photography, and art.  Along her professional skiing journey and through sidelining injuries, she managed to complete her college arts degree a term at a time over 12 years. Her determination is fueled by the belief that you should find the things that fill you with joy regardless of how much or how little money you make.   

Austrian-native Sandra Lahnsteiner is a freeskier, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur who has conquered 6 continents.  Her organization, Shades of Winter, is devoted to creating strong female role models to inspire and empower women to live an active outdoorsy lifestyle. 

Former NYC Paramedic, Kathryn Urbina, endured lifelong struggles with negative self-image and alcoholism.  After a near-tragic event that awakened her to sobriety, she has fully embraced everything it means to just be yourself and is here to share her story.  Also, travel along with me, Dylan, and Sonny as we embark upon our Christmas family vacation in the snow.  

Snowboarder Jamie Anderson is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist who grew up as one of eight kids in the mountains of South Lake Tahoe.  In this episode, she shares her journey from being  bullied and home schooled as a kid to dominating the X Games and Olympics by focusing on just being herself. 

Meet my little sister Sara and hear the untold stories of our sisterhood.  Also, travel along with the family as we take a quick trip to watch big wave surfing at the legendary Jaws break in Maui.