By Julia
Julia Murray is an athlete, Olympian and advocate for skin cancer prevention. Both her parents were members of the Canadian National Ski team, which led to her passion in skiing. She is currently a member of the Canadian National Ski Cross Team and was a silver medalist in the FIS Freestyle World Championships last year. Julia feels strongly about cancer prevention as her father passed away from melanoma. Today, she shares with us her experience as a professional athlete and as an advocate for skin cancer prevention.
Julia Murray, FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships
Q: As a professional athlete, you probably spend a lot of time training and practicing - how do you balance your personal life and your profession?
Life is definitely busy! But I like it that way. I always love to be on the go. I enjoy training for my sport, going to school, and spending time with family and friends - so I always make an effort to make time for it all.
Q: Did you always know that you would become a professional skier? Did you have any other dreams before? If so, how did it change?
I have been skiing since the age of 2, then ski raced until the age of 17 before switching to ski cross. With my mother being a professional freestyle skier in the 70’s along with my Dad’s background of being one of the four Crazy Canuck Downhill ski racers in the 70’s, skiing is definitely in my blood! I grew up in a town of people who love the mountains, and skied on average 3 or 4 days a week - and our school supported that! As early as grade 4 I was presenting projects to my teachers about the Olympics in our backyard, with me racing down my Dad’s downhill (Dave Murray Downhill).
Q: As a professional athlete you are very physically active – what are some other ways you maintain good health?
In the summer I do a lot of biking (mountain, road and dirt biking), along with a lot of time in the gym. In the winter, I’ve been skate skiing a lot and going to yoga, as well as biking in the city!
Q: The sun’s rays can be very strong on the hill and in winter, reflection off snow can nearly double UV strength. What are some ways you stay protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays?
I wear sunscreen every day I’m on the mountain. I make it a part of my routine in the morning, to put sunscreen on before breakfast. I then reapply once a day while I’m up there. I always keep my goggles down to protect my eyes too.
Q: You are working to help raise awareness about the importance of wearing sunscreen in the winter. Why is this important to you?
My father passed away when he was 39 years old (I was 2) from malignant melanoma. I really want to help make people aware of how dangerous the sun’s rays are and prevent melanoma from taking the lives of others.
Q: Indoor tanning is an important priority for the Canadian Cancer Society. How do you feel about indoor tanning?
Indoor tanning is so bad for you. It increases your chances drastically of developing skin cancer. Stay away from them! Enjoy your own beautiful, natural skin colour!
Q: What would you advise to the teens out there that might also wish to become a professional athlete someday?
If you have a dream - keep taking the little steps towards achieving it - because you will! And you’ll look back at your hard work and accomplishments and learn from them and be so proud of your self for putting all those hours and sweat into it!