Jordan Mercer is a dominant figure on the Iron Surf Woman scene, becoming a signature showman and crowd favourite at every round. Jordan Mercer has made the Surf Ironwoman sport her own since she arrived on the scene at 16 years old, becoming a signature showman and crowd-favourite at every round.
Jordan Mercer is a dominant figure on the Iron Surf Woman scene, becoming a signature showman and crowd favourite at every round. Jordan Mercer has made the Surf Ironwoman sport her own since she arrived on the scene at 16 years old, becoming a signature showman and crowd-favourite at every round. There had never been anyone in the series so young and she led the way for a new wave of youthful women to shake up what was becoming an ageing field. She’s the daughter of Ironman champion Darren Mercer and grew up when the likes of Trevor Hendy, Grant Kenny, Darren Mercer and his brother, Dean, were Oceanic superstars of the sport.
Jordan learned from the best and was soon dominating the flags and sprints before deciding to give the board paddle a crack. “I couldn’t believe what I’d been missing out on,” she says. “For so long I hated the water but now it’s the hardest thing to leave.”
She’s now fast building a reputation to mirror her father’s with a series of impressive victories all over the world. Jordan has just completed the Molokai 2 Oahu surf ski event in record time as well as having 6 consecutive wins in the prone paddle board event. She is the first to win both the paddle board and surf ski event,
Find inspiration as we talk to Jordan Mercer in our #StrongHealthyWomen interview.
Hi Jordan! Thank you for being part of the Health and Fitness Travel, Strong, Healthy Women Interview Series, where we are shining a light on the importance of self-care, not as an indulgence but a necessity to reduce stress and general health issues.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you and what does that look like?
Throughout the year I transition through different competition seasons, so my training and travel varies.
When I am at home and preparing for an upcoming event this is an average weekly schedule.
Monday – 5.30 swim, 9.30 ProMovement gym, 4pm coaching surf club juniors.
Tuesday – 5 Ski Paddle , Full day University , (run, walk or bike).
Wednesday – 5.30 swim, 9.30 ProMovement gym, 4 IronWoman training.
Thursday – 5 Ski Paddle , Full day University , (run, walk or bike).
Friday – 5.30 swim, 9.30 ProMovement gym, space for SeaJordan, 4 board paddle
Saturday – Surf Iron Woman Session
Sunday – Sunday Fun day, time for SeaJordan, Fiance, family, friends fun.
Can you share a time when you felt your well-being was challenged in the past and what did you overcome it?
Most recently I have had my well-being challenged through injuries. I have realised so much about myself through the turbulent journey these injuries have sent me on.
Dealing with the fact that I had self-care methods which I had subconsciously relied on for many years taken away from me with injury restrictions. I felt lost, contentment and joy were feelings which became few and far between. Over the past three years I have had three surgeries on my feet. The first being a stress injury in my navicular in my left foot and the second at the end of 2018 a Lisfranc injury to my right foot, running to the finish of a race in the IronWoman Series.
I’d had such a great run in my career without major injury and all of a sudden I was dealing with back to back major set backs.
I lost my outlet, the ocean, excercise, racing.
I really lost my sense of self and after such a long rehab process had finally worked my way back to the top of my sport. Winning the World IronWoman Series in Bali I proved to myself I had finally made my comeback. All of the hard times and challenges mentally and physically had been rewarded. A few months after that was when I injured my other foot, a freak happening. I couldn’t believe I was in this dark place again with such a challenging journey ahead. Only I knew just how difficult I found it to remain positive through the process of injury, surgery and rehab, back to racing at the highest level. There were moments when I doubted my internal fortitude would get me through this struggle all over again.
There were days where I struggled to be happy in my own skin. Just disconnected from my body, I’d lost the faith in my mind and body connection. I realised that my comeback was a possibility, it just took some real strength to commit to the process.
What does being healthy mean to you and how do you keep this at the forefront when life gets unavoidably busy?
Self care. Understanding what really makes me happy and ensuring that that is a part of my life. Not feeling guilt for putting myself and my metal health and needs first (still working on this one). Having self pride in my approach towards the controllables related to my well-being.
Respecting and understanding what I need to do for my own mental health and well-being. Being creative and flexible with these processes, especially when the easy options are no longer possible.
Have you ever taken a holiday specifically for your well-being? Can you share what the experience was like?
My holidays always come off the back of a big event or race. So I generally only truly enjoy these breaks if I have performed well or won…
In these times I can completely let go, not overanalyse what I could or should have done, what could I do better, what’s next. I feel like I can just be in the moment, reset, refresh and enjoy doing what makes me happy.
I’d like to have a solely well-being focussed holiday. I haven’t made time for that in my life yet. I don’t like saying I don’t have time… Because it’s up to us to make time for what’s important. My goal for this year will be to pencil that in, a refresh I don’t gave to earn with a victory. Just a treat yourself because!
Thanks for the inspiration on this one.
Every woman’s idea of self-care is different, tell us about yours?
I have recently created a top three list for myself. When I was struggling mentally with injury and all of the little challenges which came with it I had to ask myself what really makes me happy? What do I live for? What brings me joy.
My top three then were these;
• The feeling of winning.
• The feeling of being supremely fit and race ready.
• Feeling respected by others.
The negatives to these top three favourite feelings were that they weren’t always in my control. That isn’t a healthy way to rely on my happiness.
So I created a top three favourite things list. Something that I would happily change as I felt the need to, ensuring they were within my control and I would commit to bringing them into my life to bring joy!
This week my three favourite things list;
• Relaxed ocean time and waves.
• Time with babies.
• Playing my guitar.
Want to tell your story? Reach out to us via info@healthandfitnesstravel.com.au and be featured as our next strong, healthy woman.
