REFLECTIONS | JEMMA JELF

Title

What Jemma Jelf Taught Me About Power, Discipline and Identity

The Story

Raised in a world of crime from a young age, Jemma struggled for years to find where she truly belonged. After a 24-year journey to diagnosis and deep personal work through therapy, she’s finally found peace. Strongman training became the turning point—helping her step into who she really is.

Opening

Jemma is a ball of energy. As soon as she walks into the room you notice her tattoos. You will judge her on her tattoos. But she is a wonderful person, a warm caring human, who knows who she is, and her energy is infectious. You can’t not love Jemma.

What Stayed With Me

Jemma’s story. It’s unbelievable. It’s affected her life, even to this day. She admits the pull her dad still has on her even today. He doesn’t even live near her but she feels a responsibility to see him, even care for him after all he put her through from what I can only describe as an unfit environment for a child.

The Bigger Reflection

You can change your mindset. You can change how you think, how you approach life, and you can also change the path that you are on. But you have to do it. Whatever you have gone through, like Jemma, whatever the struggles, like Jemma, your life in the past can be changed, like Jemma. Being raised in a surrounding that is unhealthy for a child like Jemma is not ok, but, she has managed to find her place, and she figured it out through sheer determination to change.

A Line I Won’t Forget

"Now I've found my place”

A positive quote. I felt this reflected who Jemma is now, and I can say good for her. She went through a lot of turmoil out of her control but came through the other side. That has to be admired. That has to be the reason to share her story. That surely has to help someone out there.

Closing Thought

I really feel that you should not feel any shame in cutting ties with family members. We can’t choose family, and they should not control your life. You can’t control where you are born, who brought you into this world and if they have a negative impact on your life you have every right to change that.