Amber “Jasmine” Jackson
Senior, Track & Field, UCLA
STATS
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Major: Sociology
Instagram: 138K followers - @amber.jasmine._
TikTok: 80k followers - @a.jasmine._
Major: Sociology
Instagram: 138K followers - @amber.jasmine._
TikTok: 80k followers - @a.jasmine._
INTERVIEW
Proudest Athletic Achievement ?
Making it to PAC12’s my Freshman year of college!
Making it to PAC12’s my Freshman year of college!
How and when did you get started in your current collegiate sport?
I started track and field in 7th grade. I was a gymnast for about 10 years when I decided to add track and field to my list of sports.
I started track and field in 7th grade. I was a gymnast for about 10 years when I decided to add track and field to my list of sports.
What other sports did you play growing up? Anything memorable about playing many sports?
I was always athletic. Since the age of two I’ve been playing sports. I started with ballet, then shifted to gymnastics. I also played basketball for a couple years. After I outgrew these sports, I decided to put my long legs to use on the track! Something memorable about playing many sports is thae excitement in constantly being active and enjoying my athleticism.
I was always athletic. Since the age of two I’ve been playing sports. I started with ballet, then shifted to gymnastics. I also played basketball for a couple years. After I outgrew these sports, I decided to put my long legs to use on the track! Something memorable about playing many sports is thae excitement in constantly being active and enjoying my athleticism.
What was the biggest challenge you faced on your way to becoming a collegiate athlete?
The biggest challenge I faced on my way to becoming a collegiate athlete was the amount of time, dedication, and effort to become a student athlete. It is never easy and will come with so many obstacles that you have to overcome along the way.
The biggest challenge I faced on my way to becoming a collegiate athlete was the amount of time, dedication, and effort to become a student athlete. It is never easy and will come with so many obstacles that you have to overcome along the way.
Can you share a breakthrough moment in your early career that shaped your path to today?
A breakthrough moment in my early career that shaped my path to today is getting accepted to UCLA on scholarship. I had a hard time believing in myself and my capabilities to get into UCLA academically, but I pushed through it and made sure everything was crystal clear for me to continue my education and athletic career at my dream school.
A breakthrough moment in my early career that shaped my path to today is getting accepted to UCLA on scholarship. I had a hard time believing in myself and my capabilities to get into UCLA academically, but I pushed through it and made sure everything was crystal clear for me to continue my education and athletic career at my dream school.
How do you maintain your fitness level in the off-season?
I maintain my fitness level in the off-season by sticking to my weight program at my local YMCA gym and utilizing my High School Track for workouts. I also enjoy running around my fairly large neighborhood in the mornings. In regards to nutrition, I make sure I eat well balanced and healthy meals.
I maintain my fitness level in the off-season by sticking to my weight program at my local YMCA gym and utilizing my High School Track for workouts. I also enjoy running around my fairly large neighborhood in the mornings. In regards to nutrition, I make sure I eat well balanced and healthy meals.
How do you go about your mental preparation before competing?
The night before competing, I play relaxing music, meditate, yoga, and do breathing exercises to calm my nerves and guarantee relaxation. Right before competing, I always blast my music through my headphones to get me amped. If allowed, I warm up with music as well to tune out other sounds and distractions around me.
The night before competing, I play relaxing music, meditate, yoga, and do breathing exercises to calm my nerves and guarantee relaxation. Right before competing, I always blast my music through my headphones to get me amped. If allowed, I warm up with music as well to tune out other sounds and distractions around me.
What has been your most difficult moment while being a student athlete?
My most difficult moment while being a student athlete is definitely balancing my academics and athletics without letting the other fall. With all the hard and long hours i put into my sport, it leaves little time for my studies, yet i cannot slip up because if you do not do well in the classroom, you will not compete.
My most difficult moment while being a student athlete is definitely balancing my academics and athletics without letting the other fall. With all the hard and long hours i put into my sport, it leaves little time for my studies, yet i cannot slip up because if you do not do well in the classroom, you will not compete.
What’s your major and what do you want to do with it post graduation?
My major is Sociology and there’s a couple different things I plan to use it for. Human Resource (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work, behavioral analyst/technician, and a professional model.
My major is Sociology and there’s a couple different things I plan to use it for. Human Resource (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work, behavioral analyst/technician, and a professional model.
Do you see yourself as a role-model and if so, how do you approach that role?
I do see myself as a role-model for those who want to become a D1 student athlete. I take that role serious in knowing that younger kids actually look up to people like me. I get messages on instagram all the time asking how I made it to UCLA and what they have to do academically and athletically to get into UCLA, and I love talking them through what I did specifically to do it.
I do see myself as a role-model for those who want to become a D1 student athlete. I take that role serious in knowing that younger kids actually look up to people like me. I get messages on instagram all the time asking how I made it to UCLA and what they have to do academically and athletically to get into UCLA, and I love talking them through what I did specifically to do it.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be an NCAA student athlete?
Grades come first, then your athletic ability and talent can do the rest! Start finding a balance between the two sooner rather than later.
Grades come first, then your athletic ability and talent can do the rest! Start finding a balance between the two sooner rather than later.
Your motto for life?
“Every minor setback, is deemed for a major comeback. Trust the process.”
“Every minor setback, is deemed for a major comeback. Trust the process.”
What is your biggest success?
My biggest success is making it in to UCLA on scholarship.
My biggest success is making it in to UCLA on scholarship.
Favorite places/destinations?
So far, my favorite destinations are Italy, London, Spain, Portugal, Aruba, and Barbados.
So far, my favorite destinations are Italy, London, Spain, Portugal, Aruba, and Barbados.
Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to Sha’Carri Richardson. She had so much going on and unfortunately had a setback in her career. But she didn’t give up, and came back even better. She put up a fight and proved everyone wrong. She shows me that no matter what I go through, I can beat it and come out even better.
I look up to Sha’Carri Richardson. She had so much going on and unfortunately had a setback in her career. But she didn’t give up, and came back even better. She put up a fight and proved everyone wrong. She shows me that no matter what I go through, I can beat it and come out even better.
Current passions outside of sports?
A couple current passions outside of sports are modeling and singing! I am always booking photoshoots and studio time just for the fun of it! At some point in my life, I do plan to pursue these passions.
A couple current passions outside of sports are modeling and singing! I am always booking photoshoots and studio time just for the fun of it! At some point in my life, I do plan to pursue these passions.
What’s your next big goal to achieve?
My next big goal to achieve is graduating from UCLA and walking across that stage!
My next big goal to achieve is graduating from UCLA and walking across that stage!
What’s something no one really knows about you?
Something that no one really knows about me is that I’m actually a bit shy and anti social. I seem outgoing, talkative, and social now, but that took a lot of practice and time. I am still overcoming these traits!
Something that no one really knows about me is that I’m actually a bit shy and anti social. I seem outgoing, talkative, and social now, but that took a lot of practice and time. I am still overcoming these traits!
What do you do best? And what makes that possible?
What I do best, is being myself no matter what. Being a leader, not a follower. What makes this possible is strength, self love and care, faith, and knowing why I was placed on this earth and in the position and place I am now.
What I do best, is being myself no matter what. Being a leader, not a follower. What makes this possible is strength, self love and care, faith, and knowing why I was placed on this earth and in the position and place I am now.
What has been your favorite NIL partnership?
My favorite NIL Partnership so far was with gainful. I absolutely loved the products and they gave me good feedback that I can use for future NIL Deals which is always very helpful.
My favorite NIL Partnership so far was with gainful. I absolutely loved the products and they gave me good feedback that I can use for future NIL Deals which is always very helpful.
Why should other student athletes join 98Strong?
Other student athletes should join 98Strong because it builds new relationships, offers countless opportunities, and pays you with money and their time.
Other student athletes should join 98Strong because it builds new relationships, offers countless opportunities, and pays you with money and their time.
What has been most rewarding for you in being a part of 98Strong?
Meeting new athletes and forming bonds and relationships with them outside of work and our sport.
Meeting new athletes and forming bonds and relationships with them outside of work and our sport.
GALLERY
Elite98 Student Athletes
6 Top Student Athletes out of over 30,000 within the 98Strong Community
