Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley pens inspirational book to help young girls feel strong
Record-breaking Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley says being strong is NOT just a physical thing.
She’s so passionate about it that she’s written a book to help spread the message to the next generation of girls.
In Strong Girls: Be Powerful, Be Positive, Be a Team Player, Jodie shares lessons on how to be both physically and mentally strong, how to believe in yourself, champion others, and be kind.
Telling us all about it, Jodie, who used to play for the GB Women Rugby Sevens team, said: “It’s aimed at younger girls but if anyone feels like they can relate to it then that’s just amazing because all the messages can be for everyone. We all go through those experiences.”
The book, co-written by sports journalist Becky Grey, is a follow-up to Jodie’s Keep Smashing It! Be Strong, Be Brave, Be Confident and is aimed at girls aged eight and over.
Jodie, who is deaf and has a cochlear implant, teaches the reader some sign language at the beginning of each chapter and poses questions at the end of each one so the reader can apply what they’ve learned to their own life.
She talks about her own journey in sport, finding her passion for rugby, challenging herself to break world records, covering the 2024 Paralympics for Channel 4 and becoming Fury in Gladiators.
She said: “I think what inspired me the most is that most people probably have this image of what being strong is – you’ll look at someone who is physically strong and think that’s it.
Image: Paul Marc Mitchell
But there’s so much more to it than that. It’s being mentally strong, it’s being scared about doing things and doing them anyway, it’s crying but then the next day getting up and doing it again.
“Being strong is so much more about managing your own negative thoughts and how you can help other people.”
Jodie said being strong also doesn’t mean that that’s all you are – you can still have a softer side too.
She said: “It doesn’t have to be like in my case where one minute I’m really aggressive on the rugby field and then the next minute I’m giggling.
“It’s nice to show people that you can have different sides to you, you don’t have to be just one thing and stick to that and be in a box.
We all have different personalities and we’re all so different, it’s being brave enough to embrace all those parts of you.
“For me, being able to have both those sides has helped me become more confident and more comfortable in myself.
“So hopefully this can help young kids to do the same thing.”
At just 25, Jodie has already achieved so much, including breaking three world records.
Jodie first entered the record books in April last year when she hefted a bag of coal weighing more than 20 kg (44 lb) down an athletics track in 8.06 sec at Thornes Park Stadium in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK.
That earned her the record for fastest 50 m carrying a coal bag (female) and it’s an activity you’ll learn more about if you read the book.
Then, in November she was one of three record breakers who joined us on the roof of The O2 in London – the home of our upcoming venue – to celebrate GWR Day 2025.
She claimed the record for most weight moved by sandbag carry in one minute (female) with a total of 360 kg (793.66 lb).
A month later she teamed up with her Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special professional partner Neil Jones to smash the record for most Christmas crackers pulled in one minute by a team of two with a total of 72.
Read about more inspirational athletes in our Sports and Fitness section.
Despite all her success, Jodie admits that she still doubts herself at times and has to combat that negative voice in her mind telling her she’s not good enough.
She said: “On the outside you might see me as Fury and think ‘she’s strong and confident and won’t have any doubts’ but it’s the complete opposite and I felt passionate about getting that across to people.
“Even as someone who’s had a career in sport, and I am confident in my body now, but I’ve definitely had those moments where I’ve thought ‘I should be bigger’ or ‘I should be smaller’ or ‘I don’t look strong enough’.
It’s bizarre because you’re constantly comparing yourself and it’s totally normal, but it’s getting that message across of how you can manage those feelings with a more positive spin.
She added: “A lot of young girls probably think being strong is how you look but it’s actually a feeling.
“It’s feeling strong and good in yourself, you just have to find what works for you and what makes you happy. Strong is not a look, it’s a feeling.”
Strong Girls by Jodie Ounsley and co-written with Becky Grey is published with Rocket Fox, and is out now (RRP £9.99) and available to order on Amazon.