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As the 2026 Winter Olympics get underway in Milan and Cortina, two of America’s most decorated Winter Olympians are revealing the discipline it took to reach the podium and the simple eating habits that fueled their success.
For Apolo Ohno and Julia Mancuso – who share 12 Olympic medals between them – medals, spandex and tiaras may be a thing of the past, but the nutritional foundation behind their record-breaking careers remains a non-negotiable part of everyday life.
Long before food preparation aids became commonplace, Mancuso, an alpine skier who competed in the Olympics between 2002 and 2014, took drastic measures to stay fueled.
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He traveled around the World Cup circuit in Europe in a motor home – he once traveled on Dolly Parton’s bus – to avoid unhealthy hotel food.
If she didn’t have access to that, she would bring her trusty toaster oven to make sure she had plenty of nutritious options.
Julia Mancuso, competing above in the 2017 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, said nutrition is just as important now as it was when she competed. (Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
“I wouldn’t feel good at the end of the season if I couldn’t control my diet,” Mancuso told Fox News Digital.
Today, as a mother of three living between Fiji and Hawaii, she said those practices are more important than ever.
“If I skip a meal or don’t get my macros right, I feel it in my head,” says Mancuso, 41.
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Ohno, 43, who competed in three Winter Olympics between 2002 and 2010, said nutrition became more important as her speed skating career progressed.
“In the beginning, I couldn’t get through because I was small,” he told Fox News Digital. “As I progressed throughout my career, nutrition became a very important priority. In my last Olympics, it was fundamental. It was a game changer.”
Apolo Ohno, who figure skated at the 2002 Winter Olympics, said that nutrition has been the “foundation” of his performance throughout his career. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
For a sport as precise as speed skating, he said fueling up properly isn’t just about strength – it’s about fitness, recovery and mental toughness.
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“When your body and mind are fueled the right way, it’s amazing how easy it is to get into the flow,” he said. “The better your decision-making process, your sleep, everything starts to come together – your emotions, your emotions, your energy.”
“When your body and mind are properly energized, it’s amazing how easy it is to get into flow.”
Although they are no longer training for the Olympics, athletes’ schedules are always full of business, travel and family life.
As a best-selling author, Ohno now advises large corporations and invests in efficiency-focused businesses, while Mancuso balances motherhood with speaking engagements and a career in the outdoor industry.
Ohno said prioritizing protein helps keep him on track today. (Feature)
Their busy schedules still demand the same kind of motivation they relied on in the competition.
As part of that, the couple partnered with ready-to-eat food service The Factor “Gold Collection” for a limited time, which was launched on Feb. 12, which includes meals inspired by their training meals.
Mancuso’s options emphasize endurance, with a diet focused on lean protein, complex carbohydrates and vegetables to support sustained energy.
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Ohno’s picks focus on energy and recovery, highlighting options high in protein with whole grains, whole grains and healthy fats.
“I prioritize protein in the way I eat today,” she said. “That seems like the easiest way for me to stay on track.”
Mancuso said he will travel with the trailer to make sure he knows how to cook healthy food. (Feature)
Both athletes emphasized that one of the biggest myths about elite competitors is that their diet must be extreme or flawless.
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“It doesn’t have to be perfect,” said Mancuso. “It’s about consistency.”
Ohno echoed that theme, especially for those inspired by the Olympics to restart their practices.
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“The easiest way to keep a goal is to make it simple,” he said. “Don’t do too many things at once. Just look for good nutrition. The rest will follow.”
Retired Olympians Ohno, left, and Mancuso, right, say nutrition is still part of their daily routine. (Photos by Adam Pretty/Getty;Alberto Pizzoli/AFP)
