THE HERA INTERVIEW
From stepping onto a judo mat at just four years old to representing Great Britain and inspiring the next generation as a coach, Jade has spent much of her life challenging expectations. Now she is embracing a new creative adventure in modelling, bringing the same courage and individuality that have shaped her sporting career.
In this interview, Jade talks about growing up in a remarkable judo family, helping children discover their confidence, learning to appreciate herself and why strength and femininity belong together.
HERA: Let’s start at the beginning. How old were you when you first stepped onto a judo mat, and what was it about the sport that made you fall in love with it?
Jade: Growing up I was surrounded by the sport of judo. I remember instead of dressing up my teddies in dresses they would all be wearing judo gis. I was just 4 years old when I first stepped onto the judo mat. Seeing both parents in their element inspired me from an early age to participate and succeed in the sport.
Judo has always been in my blood.
My mother was four-time world judo champion and gained a place in the Judo Hall of Fame. My father was her training partner who also competed at a high level internationally. My grandad was a well-respected Olympic Coach for women’s Judo.
HERA: You’ve enjoyed an impressive competitive career, including national championship success and time on the GB squad. Looking back, which achievements are you most proud of, and are there any particular contests or victories that still stand out in your memory?
Jade: One achievement that particularly stands out for me was becoming a member of the GB squad at the early age of just 11. At the time I was the youngest Judoka to be a member of the squad. I also remember feeling an immense sense of pride being chosen to carry the GB flag at the national championships.
HERA: Competing at national level takes extraordinary dedication, both physically and mentally. What did a typical training week look like during your competitive years, and what sacrifices did you have to make along the way?
Jade: I typically trained daily while competing. Whether this be training in the sport of judo, at the gym or the other sports to maintain my fitness.
I thoroughly enjoyed athletics and also swimming. I regularly competed in biathlons too and alongside my team we became national champions.
Looking back I know I must have made sacrifices but to me back then it was my norm and all I saw was me making improvements to my skills.
HERA: These days you’re a judo coach, teaching children of different ages and abilities, and you’ve said you absolutely love your job. What’s the most rewarding part of coaching, and have any of your pupils surprised you with what they’ve achieved?
Jade: I adore my job. The fun and laughter that working with children brings can’t be beaten.
Jade: The most rewarding part of my job I feel is seeing children who come to me struggling with their confidence end up thriving in the sport of judo and being able to take the sport in their stride.
HERA: Judo is about far more than throws and winning medals. What lessons do you think it teaches young people about confidence, resilience and respect, particularly those who might initially struggle with sport?
Jade: The sport of judo really does help to build confidence, resilience and respect. Believe it or not as a child I used to be rather quiet with no confidence and now I am the total opposite!
I think participating in something is especially important for children who might not naturally feel confident in sport or feel like they’re good at anything.
As a coach I like to reinforce the lesson that Judo teaches them that it’s okay to get things wrong, to fall over and to struggle, because what matters is getting back up and trying again.
It also teaches respect, discipline and how to support others, regardless of their ability. Not every child is going to win medals, and that’s absolutely fine. I am really fortunate to coach such wonderful children who take pleasure in supporting one another no matter what ability.
If someone leaves the mat believing in themselves a little bit more than when they arrived, then that’s just as valuable as any medal they could ever win.
HERA: You’ve only recently ventured into modelling, which seems quite a contrast to competitive judo! What first inspired you to give modelling a try, and how did you feel when you stepped in front of the camera for the first time?
Jade: Honestly… I’m a very impulsive person! In the last couple of years I got diagnosed with ADHD. Living with ADHD has taken me down all different avenues of side quests!
This was certainly one of them. I have always felt natural in front of a camera. I had seen others do modelling and after taking steps to improve my life I learned to love the way I look and thought sod it let’s give it a try and here we are!
HERA: You mentioned that modelling feels surprisingly natural to you. What do you enjoy most about a photoshoot, and has anything about the modelling world surprised you so far?
Jade: Modelling does feel so natural to me, I love being in front of the camera.
A lot of the side quests I try I may not continue but the quests I cling to the most are the ones that bring me enjoyment and make me feel good about myself.
I used to be awfully anxious about the way I looked growing up and even had counselling about this.
I have made changes to improve my life that have bettered my mental health and attitude towards myself. So honestly the thing I enjoy about shoots the most is seeing the results, knowing how far I’ve come from that person who used to wake up daily and not like what I saw to “Wow” I can’t believe that is me. It makes me emotional even writing about this, I’m so proud of myself.
HERA: Both judo and modelling involve confidence, body awareness and being comfortable in your own skin, although in very different ways. Do you think your years as a judoka have influenced how you approach modelling?
Jade: I think doing judo has helped my approach to everything in life. Knowing I can defend myself in a lot more situations than the average person has made me a lot more ‘ballsy’. I can’t think of another word except that one as it’s certainly fitting.
Jade: It’s helped me put myself out there a lot more and my confidence has grown and grown.
Jade: I’m a firm believer that if you don’t ask you don’t get and if you don’t do then things won’t just happen. The ballsy approach has got me very far in life as I’m not afraid to put myself out there and certainly don’t worry about what others think.
HERA: There are still plenty of stereotypes about what women in combat sports should look like or how they should behave. As someone who is both an accomplished judoka and a model, what would you say to people who think strength and femininity don’t go together?
Jade: Stereotypes are everywhere and I’m certainly one to challenge them. Being strong doesn’t mean sacrificing your femininity. I can have muscles, tattoos, wear makeup and still be a force to be reckoned with.
Jade: Who says I can’t throw someone over my shoulder and still look good doing it?
Jade: To the people who think women should look a certain way when participating in combat sports… fight me.
HERA: Finally, looking to the future, what would you most like to achieve next, both as a judo coach and as a model? And if you could give one piece of advice to a young woman who wanted to try something completely outside her comfort zone, what would it be?
Jade: Looking into the future I’m always looking at bettering myself and trying new things.
As a judo coach I am always learning ways to adapt and improve my ways of coaching, I will continue to do so. I pride myself on children stepping onto the mat and actually having fun while learning.
In regard to where I would like to be in the future with my modelling, I would be open to all sorts of new opportunities. I would love to branch out working with new photographers, different kinds of shoots and also working with bigger brands.
I would love to go international and really show that you don’t have to fit into one box to be successful.
I’ve got my judo background, my tattoos and my own alternative style, and I’d love to turn that into something that inspires other women to be confident in who they are.
I want to prove you can be strong, glamorous and a little bit different, and still make your mark in the modelling industry.
A Final Word from HERA
What makes Jade’s story so compelling is not simply her sporting achievements or her growing modelling portfolio, but the confidence she has worked to find and now helps others discover. Her message is wonderfully clear: you do not have to fit into anyone else’s idea of who you should be.
Our heartfelt thanks to Jade for sharing her experiences with such openness, warmth and humour, and to the photographers whose work helps bring this feature to life. Photography: DDGS / Derek and Kyle Mercedes
You can find Jade on Instagram here – Jade’s Instagram
You can find DDGlamoursoots here – DDGlamourShoots Instagram
You can find Kyle Mercedes Instagram here – Kyle Mercedes Instagram
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