Elizabeth Manley

On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach is joined by Canada’s sweetheart, Elizabeth Manley.
Elizabeth Ann Manley, born on August 7, 1965, in Belleville, Ontario, is a Canadian figure skating icon whose career has left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired generations of athletes. She was raised in Trenton and later Ottawa, Manley was the only daughter in a family of four children. Her early life was shaped by her father's military career, which led to occasional moves, and her parents' divorce in the 1970s left her primarily in the care of her mother, Joan.
Manley's journey in figure skating began at a young age, with her mother investing significant time and resources into her daughter's burgeoning talent. Her first major international success came in 1982 when she won the bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany. That same year, she made her senior World Championships debut, finishing 13th in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The 1982-83 season marked a challenging period for Manley. In pursuit of more intensive training, she relocated to Lake Placid, New York. However, this move led to depression and homesickness, resulting in physical manifestations such as hair loss and weight gain. Despite briefly stepping away from the sport, Manley's resilience shone through as she resumed her career under the guidance of coaches Peter and Sonya Dunfield at the Gloucester Skating Club in Orleans, Ontario.
Manley's perseverance paid off in the following years. She competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics, placing 13th, and steadily improved her standings at the World Championships between 1984 and 1987. Her breakthrough came at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where she was initially considered an underdog. Despite battling illness, Manley delivered a stunning performance in the long program, securing the silver medal and catapulting herself to national celebrity status in Canada.
Following her Olympic triumph, Manley turned professional, embarking on a successful career in ice shows and television specials. She particularly enjoyed her role as Cinderella in Dorothy Hamill's Ice Capades, describing it as her favourite time as a professional skater.
In recent years, Manley has transitioned into coaching, working at the Elizabeth Manley rink in Ottawa. She has also become a powerful advocate for mental health awareness, drawing from her own experiences with depression. Manley has been open about her struggles, using her platform to help others facing similar challenges.
Manley's impressive list of accomplishments includes being a three-time Canadian Figure Skating Champion, a two-time U.S. Open Figure Skating Champion, and the 1988 World Figure Skating Silver Medalist. She is credited as the first Canadian female to successfully land a triple-double combination jump in competition.
In recognition of her contributions to sport and society, Manley was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1988. Her legacy was further cemented with her induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
Manley's personal life has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. The loss of her mother to ovarian cancer in July 2008 inspired her to become a spokesperson for Ovarian Cancer Canada's Winners Walk of Hope.
In 2019, Manley married television producer David N. Rosen. She continues to be a spokesperson for various organizations, including the Alzheimer's Society of Ottawa and Canada.
Today, Elizabeth Manley continues to be an influential figure in the world of figure skating and beyond. Her journey from Olympic medalist to mental health advocate exemplifies the power of resilience and the importance of using one's platform for positive change. As she approaches her 60th birthday, Manley's legacy as both an athlete and a compassionate advocate continues to inspire and impact lives across Canada and beyond.
In 2025, Manley remains active in the figure skating communi ...