Meet Jade — BoPo Queen & Sugar OG

Collabs by Sugar Candy - May 25, 2021
jade wearing posh bralette

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’d hazard guess that you’ve seen Jade around on our socials and our website. What you might not know, though, is that this gorgeous busty gal is also a huge body positivity advocate, spin instructor, model AND eating psychology student! We’ve been crushing on Jade for a while now, so this week we decided to make it all about her and share the love. Keep an eye on our socials for some exclusive takeover stories, and hit the button below to read her Q&A on our blog!

Hey Jade! We’d love to kick this off by learning a bit more about you. Where are you from and what’s your story?

Hey! So I am originally from the UK, in a county called Hertfordshire just outside London. Growing up, I was a Performing Arts kid and eventually trained professionally once I left school. I’ve travelled a lot, but in 2018 I decided to move to Sydney for two years which is where I met the incredible Sugar Candy team!

You have your thumb in lots of career pies, so what exactly is it that you do for work?

I’m one of those people who’s had an insane amount of jobs! I started off as a professional dancer, in my early 20s, then went more into acting, have worked in and out of hospitality for many years, I’m a spin instructor, plus I started a small business during the first lockdown – selling my own designed t-shirts, donating a portion of the profits to an eating disorder charity.

jade spin class

You lead an incredibly active lifestyle. How did you get your start as a spin instructor?

I had been living in Sydney about 6 months and I saw a sponsored post on Instagram advertising auditions at my local cycle studio. I had zero experience in Spin, but all they needed was a background in performance and a good sense of rhythm. I went along to the audition, gave my best attempted bike moves to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ and somehow landed the job! I had to do 4 months of training, learning how to spin, talk, work lights and music and motivate all at the same time. It was so intense, but seeing all the happy faces staring back at me after my first class was the most incredible feeling.

sugar candy crush bralette
Jade in our Crush* Bra

Now *we* already know the answer to this one, but for anyone new here, how did you come to be part of the SugarCandy* family?

When I first landed in Sydney, within a few weeks I went along to meet a new model agency. The next day, I was sent a briefing about a casting that was happening up in Castle Hill, the furthest I had travelled out of the city! There I met Katie and Tracey who gave me the job as one of the new faces of Sugar Candy – my first big campaign in Australia. It was the biggest job in my modelling career so far and they still have been my best client to date!

jade how it started

One of the things we admire most about you is how open you are about your past struggles with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder. Tell us a little bit about your journey.

So one of the main reasons for leaving my professional dance career was the struggle I had with my body. It was a really difficult decision, because as much as I loved performing, I felt trapped into trying to become this person or image that I just wasn’t – in the end it wasn’t worth abusing my body over. Following this, I started a blog talking about my experience which was really well received. I then moved my mission over to Instagram where my audience grew and built a lovely little body positive community. Now I’m studying Eating Psychology and my mission is to help people heal their relationship with food.

What are some of the best strategies you’ve found that help you cope with societal pressures, especially surrounding the modelling industry?

When trying to navigate through an industry like modelling or performing arts, I always try to remember to take everything with a grain of salt. Not everyone is going to like you and you’re not going to be right for every job. Also, no job is worth losing part of yourself over. One of my favourite mottos right now is ‘Do It For You’. I feel like every decision I make for my body inside or out is for me, whether that be self-care, exercise or beauty. Once I start prioritising what I need or want in life, everything else really just falls into place.

jade portrait

In this age of body positivity and embracing all that is you, what’s one thing you wish you could tell your past self?

One thing I would tell my past self is; you are so much more than your exterior. You are brave, ambitious, caring and have amazing family and friends. Your self worth is made up of multiple factors, and the way you look is such a small percentage – so make sure you focus on all of the amazing things about you.

What are some of your hobbies that you enjoy outside of work?

Lockdown has got me back into reading for pleasure and learning again which I am loving. My favourite book recently has been Derren Brown’s ‘Happy’, a book which gives a more logistical and philosophical view on happiness. I’m also a massively creative person, so anything crafty or involving painting is a great way for me to unwind and relax at the weekend.

jade lockdown

Being based in the UK, you’re a lockdown aficionado by now. What self-care rituals did you adopt during the dumpster fire that was 2020 and early 2021?

Let me tell you it has been HARD in the UK – we’ve been through 3 official lockdowns and still have strict restrictions! My mental health took a slip towards the end of 2020 and had to take back control of what brought me joy. A huge part of my lockdown journey was incorporating a healthy morning and evening routine. Limiting screen time, meditation, journaling my thoughts and feelings, all just simple things that contribute towards my emotional health. It really helps keep things in perspective and makes me feel grateful for all the positive things I have in my life.

Who is your biggest inspiration (past or present) and why?

Currently it’s Jameela Jamil. She has an amazing acting career going right now, but also continues her activism online. She helps so many people with body positivity, debunks diet culture and educates on current affairs. An absolute boss!

If you were stranded by yourself on a desert island, what three things would you bring with you and why?

I would take a lighter because I wouldn’t know the first thing about making a fire from scratch, so I feel like it would be very handy. Also a knife would be really good for practicality. If there was a way to solar power my vinyl player that would be perfect – music would be a comfort I needed with me!

Where can people find out more about you?

I’m @jadeseabrook on Instagram & TikTok, that’s basically where I spend all my time these days!

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