Image

4:19 PM / Thursday October 15, 2026

12 Nov 2015

Debi Thomas: former Olympic skater broke, living in trailer

November 12, 2015 Category: Entertainment Posted by:

ABOVE PHOTO:  Debi Thomas in a scene from OWN’s ‘Iyanla Fix My Life’

‘Iyanla Fix My Life’ traveled to a small town in Virginia to work with the former Olympian.

Last Saturday night’s “Iyanla Fix My Life” (on OWN) was another heart tugging tear jerker that featured former Olympic figure skater Debi Thomas.

Thomas, in case you forgot or didn’t know, was an Olympic medalist who went on to become an orthopedic surgeon. But her life took a turn for the worse. Divorce, unemployment and bankruptcy left her living in a bug-infested trailer with her fiancé and his two young sons.

Iyanla traveled to a small town in Virginia to work with the former Olympic figure skater. But while working to get a better understanding of what went wrong, Iyanla realizes that Thomas, 48, may be her own worst enemy. The two have a deep discussion about Thomas’s personal triumphs and tragedies, as well as her failed relationship with her son.

While standing outside her trailer home, Thomas leans on Iyanla for support during an emotional breakthrough.

“You don’t have to do it by yourself this time,” Iyanla tells Debi. “And you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I did the best I could,” Debi says. “I feel like I’m hurting people that I care about.”

Iyanla tells Debi that the person she’s hurting the most is herself.

“You can’t help anybody until you can help you,” Iyanla says.

For rebroadcasts of ‘Iyanla Fix My Life’ on OWN Network; check local TV/cable schedules for times and channels.

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Sports

What Was That?!

October 6, 2026

Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper makes an incomplete pass during Rams game. Photo: Webster Riddick If the...

Health

The caregiver’s oxygen mask: The day the safety net breaks-Part 1

October 5, 2026

By Patricia Marshall Harris Every time we board a commercial flight, the flight attendants repeat the same...

Elections

Pennsylvania Department of State releases new toolkit for on-demand mail ballot voting at county elections offices

October 6, 2026

New resources will assist local officials in serving voters who wish to apply for, mark, and return...

Home and Garden

Cold cities are the most ready for winter, with one exception. See where your city ranks

October 7, 2026

By Sheeka Sanahori feature impact Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance...

Suburban News

Building stronger education pathways to strengthen Greater Philadelphia’s workforce

October 6, 2026

Guest Commentary By Dr. K.L. Allen regional vice president, Western Governors University Dr. K. L. Allen(Photo courtesy...

Diaspora

The history of Black physicians in Philadelphia and the hospitals they built

September 30, 2026

Mossell at Frederick Douglas Memorial Hospital (published 1912)Source: Library Division: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff