jenna - downing
inline skating
What was your sport and how did you get into it?
I am an inline skater. My mum got me my first pair of rollerblades when I was 7 years old and there was no looking back, I absolutely loved it! I started going to a roller disco at the Barnsley Metrodome and it was here where I met some brothers who invited me along to their skatepark in Wakefield. After going to this skatepark I was hooked; I just loved the thrill of going down ramps, learning new tricks, falling over and trying again! I soon fell in love with the sport and started going to the skatepark everyday to practice. As a result, my skills improved, I met new friends, and I was becoming more confident in myself and my abilities. This led me to enter my first competition and the rest is history.
Tell us about the highlights of your sporting career?
I am a former World Champion, multiple European Champion, X-Games Silver Medallist and 10 x British Champion. I am the first and only female in the UK to have their own signature pro skate (all proceeds donated to Breast Cancer Care), and I am the youngest girl to turn professional in my sport at just 12 years old.
What were some of the challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them?
Having been brought up by a single mother in a deprived area, I’ve had to work really hard to get to where I am today. As a female in a male dominated sport I have had to earn the respect from my peers, having faced a number of setbacks and challenges on the way. On top of this I have battled a number of injuries and was also diagnosed with MS in 2008, something that I have never let get in the way of me achieving my success.
What have been your highlights while working at the Trust?
I have worked at the Trust since its inception and I am very proud to have worked on a large variety of programmes, working with so many amazing young people. I am truly passionate about helping young people from all walks of life. Some of my highlights have been working on the all female Get on Track programmes, due to the unique relationships we were able to build with the young people over a period of time, and the progress they made was truly remarkable. I very much enjoy taking the young people on a journey and seeing first hand how we as athlete mentors can transform their lives. It’s amazing what can happen when someone believes in you.
What do you do now alongside working for the Trust?
As well as my work with the Trust I also work as a national education, physical activity, and health and wellbeing consultant, specialising in motivational speaking, tutoring, coaching and mentoring. I deliver thought-provoking, inspirational keynotes, bespoke mentoring programmes, and workshops, to help individuals of all ages to achieve their potential. I am also co-director of a wheeled sports coaching company called Wheels Extreme. We specialise in inline skate, skateboard, BMX & scooter coaching.
What life advice would you give a young person?
My advice for young people would be to do what you love. Follow your passion, no matter how wacky or weird it might be. If you love something, do it whole heartedly and I promise you it will turn into something amazing.
What experience do you have of working with corporate organisations?
I have worked with many corporate organisations, from delivering keynote speeches, team away days, leadership events and mindset courses. For example, in February 2021 I spoke at the Qatar UK Sport and Education Conference on the subject of ‘Encouraging Women and Girls to be Physically Active’ and in 2020, I delivered a two day course in Hyderabad, India on ‘Embedding a High Performance Mindset’ to 32 Senior Managers at HSBC. More recently, in February 2023 I delivered a corporate away day for a team of Executives.
What does Being Me mean to you?
'Being Me' means being your true authentic self. Not pretending to be someone you're not or trying to live up to expectations or impress people. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin, doing the things you enjoy, regardless of what anybody else thinks. I faced a lot of judgements from others during my sporting career, however I never let any negativity or other people’s thoughts or opinions get in the way of me being who I wanted to be or doing what I wanted to do.
Competitive Record
Barcelona Extreme (European Championships) - Gold
2013
Winterclash (European Championships) - Gold
2010
2009
Winterclash (European Championships) - Silver
2008
LG Action Sports World Championships - Gold
2007
LG Action Sports World Championships - Silver
2005
LG Action Sports World Championships - Bronze
2000
European Championships - Gold
1999
European Championships - Silver
1998
British Championships - 10x Gold medals from 1998 - 2008
1996
IISS World Championships - Gold
