At Iksplor, we enthusiastically believe in recognizing the impact mothers have—not just on their families, but on the world around them. They’re often the quiet force behind our everyday adventures, shaping our values and guiding us through life’s challenges with resilience and care. This Mother’s Day, we’re continuing the celebration by honoring moms who inspire us to get outside, explore more, and share their love of nature with the next generation. One of those inspiring women is Julia Mancuso—Olympic gold medalist, fearless athlete, and devoted mom.
From conquering Olympic slopes to surfing Maui's waves, Julia's adventurous spirit knows no bounds. She continues to push limits, embracing motherhood with the same passion and determination that defined her athletic career. Whether it's heli-skiing with her own mom or introducing her children to the joys of nature, Julia embodies the essence of living life to the fullest.
Our goal is to empower families to explore the outdoors together, and Julia's journey resonates deeply with our mission. Her story reminds us that motherhood doesn't mean slowing down—it's an opportunity to share the wonders of nature with the next generation.
Julia grew up in Lake Tahoe, California. Her family has always loved the outdoors, where many of Julia’s favorite childhood memories took place. Her passion for skiing at a young age led her to chase her dream of winning an Olympic Gold Medal.
“I dedicated most of my life to skiing and discovered surfing when I was 18. I was instantly hooked and drawn to water. I loved the contrast of the mountains and the ocean. Every spring from then on I would dedicate my breaks to finding waves. That led me to the island of Tavarua, chasing waves and meeting the man of my dreams! My now husband is the manager of the resort in Fiji and we have 3 young kids. We are raising them between the mountains and ocean and hoping they love the outdoors as much as we do,” Julia said in an interview with Iksplor.
Since becoming a mom, Julia’s relationship with the outdoors has evolved as she experiences every new moment through the eyes of her children.
“Motherhood is such a balance, and I think the biggest thing that has changed is really prioritizing the outdoors. It's been fun falling in love with all the sports over again. I love seeing my littles thrive on the mountain. It's so fun to watch them gain confidence and ski.”
When we asked Julia what she loves most about sharing the outdoors with her kids, she reminded us that the magic isn’t just in the skills they gain—but in the simple joy of unplugging and being present together:
“I love that being outside and doing sports takes us aways from our screens and responsibilities. Haha! I’m not sure if it's the skills they learn outside that is the best adventure or just teaching them how awesome it is to simply enjoy nature and the adventure.”
The ideal day outdoors for Julia and her family involves her two favorite sports: surfing and skiing: “A perfect day outside would be taking our kids to surf and then enjoying some time on the beach with a picnic. And in the winter- just skiing bell to bell with the kids is such a pleasure.”
Like so many moms, Julia is still figuring out how to navigate the constant juggle between caring for her children and making space for herself. It’s a balance that doesn’t come easy—but one that’s filled with meaning and perspective.
“Balancing motherhood with taking care of myself is the biggest challenge. I was so used to everything being focused on me and now it's all about them, but honestly the rewards are far greater. I love seeing them grow and thrive in new experiences.”
One lesson Julia hopes to pass on to her children is a genuine love for being outdoors. As they grow, she’s making an effort to incorporate more camping and wilderness time into their lives. She believes that if her kids can experience how freeing it feels to disconnect from everyday distractions while spending time in nature, they’ll carry that wisdom with them into the future.
The one thing Julia never leaves home without? Let’s just say every mom reading this is already nodding: snacks—lots of them.
“If you want to leave the house it's not a simple grab your shoes and go! It's the snacks, the change of clothes and water. Haha. Anytime I think it's a good idea to just go and not worry about the snacks, my kids are grumpy and hungry right away.”
When it comes to balancing the demands of motherhood with staying active, Julia admits it’s still a work in progress. What she is grateful for, though, is entering this chapter of life in great physical shape. Her message to younger women? “Get into the best shape of your life.” Thanks to muscle memory, she finds that her body responds well, even without intense workouts—proof that all those hours spent training continue to pay off.
And her go-to strategy for staying connected to your adventurous side while raising little ones? “Bring your kids along! I know they take it all in from a young age. It's totally worth it.”
Some of the most meaningful lessons happen in the smallest, most unexpected moments. For Julia, a recent tide pool adventure with her son became a sweet (and funny) opportunity to talk about respecting nature.
“We recently went to explore a tide pool and our little 3 year old was so precious. He was trying to collect all the blue starfish and I had to explain to him that they weren’t pets. It was so cool to see how their eyes light up discovering new things, and they are so innocent it's almost hard to teach them rules! Respecting nature is a huge lesson that might get overlooked though, and I hope to teach my kids to be good stewards of the environment.”
For Julia, time outside isn’t just a fun family activity—it’s the foundation of how they live, what they value, and how they hope to raise their kids.
“It's what our life is truly about. We are so lucky to live in amazing places, where Mother Nature is our playground. I hope that spending time outside teaches them to respect our planet and follow their dreams. It's cliche, but there is something so grounding about nature that allows me to be free from the idea that you need to chase material things and entertainment. Life is about the here and now, and there is no better way to spend the days than out in nature.”
Julia’s story is a reminder that motherhood and adventure don’t have to be separate paths—they can walk hand in hand. Whether she’s chasing starfish with her toddler, carving out time for her own wellness, or simply enjoying the view from a snowy mountaintop, she’s showing her children what it means to live with intention, curiosity, and respect for the world around them. In a time when life often pulls us toward speed and screens, Julia’s grounded, nature-first approach is a beautiful call to slow down, step outside, and find joy in the everyday.
We’re honored to share Julia’s story with our community and hope all our Iksplor moms feel celebrated this Mother’s Day—and every day.