Playboy Creator Jacky Dejo has snowboarded since she was a tot, and now surfs the slopes professionally. Jacky sat down with for a quick chat, where she discussed her athletic career, her inspirations, and more.
Playboy: Where were you born?
Jacky Dejo: I was born in France. But I lived until I was two in the Netherlands. I am Dutch. And then I grew up in Switzerland. Now I live in the Caribbean, in St. Maarten.
But yeah, I’ve lived in a lot of palm trees. I’ve definitely been able to explore a lot. I have spent some time living in Indonesia as well. And in Canada, Norway.
Playboy: Do you speak more than one language?
Jacky: I speak seven. I did grow up speaking several languages. My dad’s Dutch so obviously, I started speaking Dutch because of that. And my parents speak a lot of French. Also living in Switzerland growing up there and going to school there, I learned German because we lived on the German side.
So it was speaking German, French, Dutch and then learning English as well. And after that, it’s just been living in different countries. I speak Norwegian because I lived in Norway. And we also lived in Spain for a little while. So I speak Spanish and Catalan.
Playboy: Did you enjoy your school years?
Jacky: I mean, I guess I did. But I also didn’t always spend a lot of time there because of my snowboarding. So I did have quite a lot [of times] where I would be gone for training and then come back. I did like it, but at the same time, it was just kind of on and off.
Playboy: When did you start snowboarding?
Jacky: So I started snowboarding when I was three years old, so I’ve really done it all my life. I think I did my first competition when I was like five or six. And since then, I’ve just been competing in different areas, but mainly halfpipe. And recently, a lot of free riding.
Playboy: Since you started so young, did your parents get you into it?
Jacky: My dad, he snowboards. In Switzerland, it’s also very common that you’ll start skiing as a kid. Most families are skiers. And so my dad is a snowboarder, so obviously for me, then there was that choice and like, do you want to snowboard or do you want to ski?
I was like, my dad’s the coolest person ever. I want to do that. I’m gonna snowboard like him. And yeah, I’ve stuck to it ever since. Never tried skiing, never tried anything else.
Playboy: Where do you see your snowboarding career going?
Jacky: In a way I take it as it comes. I mean, obviously, I think like every athlete, I would like to go to the Olympics from one side because it is that big thing. Yeah. But there are also just factors where that path to the Olympics is very stressful.
The mentality in it is not what I love about snowboarding. And so that’s what keeps me from going. I’m going to see where life brings me. And if it does end up going there, why not?
I compete at a high level now, I’m doing all the World Cups, etc. I did take a break from it for a bit. And then last season, I decided to go into the free riding. So I did snowboard a bit, but I didn’t go to all the competitions anymore. And I was just doing my own thing.
And then this last season, and I was like, okay, what can I do? I want to get back into competitions. I miss snowboarding. And so I was like, Okay, let me go to free ride competitions. I love free riding – it’s also going to be an official Olympic category as well.
So I’m going to see, I might go into that. But yeah, in general, I’m just getting back into it and just finding my passion again.
Playboy: What was the first thing you dreamed of achieving?
Jacky: I think as a kid, I really wanted to go to the Olympics. That was my goal. And I feel like that was in part because of the people I was surrounded by.
I had a coach for a while and he was an Olympian, and then another girl who got me into like halfpipe in the first place who was also a former Olympian. And I think that made me set on that goal. And just being the best.
Playboy: What are you passionate about?
Jacky: I’m passionate about quite a few things. I took up skydiving two years ago as well. And I really love it. And I think it’s something that I can genuinely say comes really close to my snowboarding as well, in the sense of just the feeling that I get with it and the passion I have for it.
I don’t know if I’m going to do any competitions in it, because obviously I have my snowboarding, but it’s just something I genuinely love. It’s been incredible. And I’ve managed to travel a lot because of it.
Playboy: What turns you on or off?
Jacky: I’m just a very big personality person. So, for me, like, you can be a very good looking person – I’m into both girls and guys, but it stays the same. But as soon as I come up to you, and we start talking, if your personality is just cocky, and it just doesn’t work. That’s an instant turnoff.
If we get along, I feel like that’s the biggest turn on for sure. And of course, if you’re good looking on top of that, I mean…can’t complain!
Playboy: What would make you ghost a potential love interest?
Jacky: If I get the feeling that a person is using me in general, like, for money or for certain things. Not having your own interests to pursue. I need my space as well.
And I just also need someone who’s very understanding of the fact I am traveling, I am doing my things. I have a life. And everything won’t be about that person.
Playboy: What people inspire you and why?
Jacky: My parents, for sure. My dad has always been able to just make the smallest thing into something big. (I’m also inspired by) some people around me, my friends, and certain athletes, but I think it’s mainly just people around me.
It’s just feeling like my friends are pursuing their goals and it makes me want to do the same. Some famous athletes inspire me, but at the same time, it can also just be the random person that I just met two seconds ago that just did something that I’m like, “Wow, that was so cool.”
Playboy: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten so far in your life?
Jacky: I think it’s just staying true to myself. Not doing what everyone else does. And just keep going the way that I do it because it works, even though it sometimes seems like it’s a struggle and what other people are doing is better.
But at the end of the day, it just might not be better. It’s just that I need to wait it out a little bit, have more patience.
Playboy: Are there a lot of women in the snowboarding community now?
Jacky: I feel like when I was younger, there weren’t as many. It’s been growing a lot. And I think now it’s become pretty equal – maybe not equal, but at least compared to how it used to be. You used to have maybe like, four or five female competitors in a competition while there were like, 20 guys.
Now there’s usually around the same amount, and it’s a good mix. And even on that top level, because of course, in regional competitions, you will have more people. In the high level, there’s way more girls now too. And it’s nice, actually.
Playboy: Do you have any advice for young women who want to get into snowboarding?
Jacky: Just do it. And don’t be scared. Don’t be scared of the guys, whatever, just go. Go and ride with them. They’re not scary.
Jacky is on The Playboy Club. Talk to her here.
