When Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson glides across the ice, she brings both fierce competitiveness and infectious joy that transforms the rink. The professional speed skater's radiant personality seems to melt the ice around her, but her true impact extends far beyond her athletic achievements.
Breaking Barriers in Elite Sports
Jackson's path to Olympic glory defies conventional expectations. Born in Ocala, Florida, she initially explored figure skating before discovering her passion for speed. Her athletic journey took an unconventional turn when she entered the world of roller derby, a sport where only 11% of participants identified as people of color.
Her transition to ice speed skating marked the beginning of an Olympic dream that would challenge multiple barriers. For Jackson and many female athletes, competing at elite levels represents only half the battle. They face unreasonable standards including respectability politics that demand Black women maintain grace and restraint even in emotionally charged situations.
The fight for fair compensation continues to plague women's sports, while athletes navigate contradictory physical expectations. They're often criticized for being either insufficiently strong or too "masculine" when demonstrating peak athletic conditioning. The pressure to maintain camera-ready appearances with perfect smiles, toned muscles, and flawless skin creates an impossible standard of perfection.
Navigating Visibility with Eczema
Even Jackson's remarkably positive outlook couldn't shield her from these pressures, particularly as she manages eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. This chronic skin condition affects 3% to 10% of adults, with higher prevalence among Black Americans. The condition causes itchy, inflamed, and dry skin that becomes particularly challenging for someone constantly in the public eye.
"It can be tricky sometimes because it's a physical thing," Jackson explains. "You can feel it, you can see it, other people can see it." Despite the unwanted attention to her skin, Jackson has transformed her eczema management into an opportunity for deeper self-awareness and body connection.
Her journey to find effective treatment required persistence, especially when some practice gear irritated her skin further. "It was a journey, speaking with my doctors and trying to figure out a solution for it," she recalls. Through medical guidance and diligent skin hydration practices, Jackson developed strategies that work both on and off the ice.
Transforming Challenges into Connection
Jackson's experience with eczema transcends personal management—it has become a platform for community support. She recognizes that many people struggle with similar conditions without adequate support systems, often feeling self-conscious or mistakenly believing they're to blame for their skin condition.
By speaking openly about her journey, Jackson aims to reduce stigma, particularly for Black women with eczema. "It doesn't feel like a burden," she emphasizes. "If I'm able to get the word out, whether about my sport or my skin condition, I'm very willing and ready to help point people in the right direction and let them know it's a common thing."
The stress of elite competition could easily exacerbate her condition, as Jackson experienced during the intense Olympic qualification process. When she initially didn't qualify at the U.S. Olympic trials, fellow speed skater Brittany Bowe made the extraordinary gesture of giving up her spot so Jackson could compete—a decision Bowe justified by noting the stark racial disparities in speed skating.
Rather than buckling under pressure, Jackson uses these challenges to strengthen her resolve. She maintains focus on her skating and training while embracing what others might perceive as flaws as integral parts of her identity.
"I understand that it's a physical and uncomfortable and nerve-wracking thing for people, but I don't put too much weight on it," Jackson explains. Her message to others facing similar challenges emphasizes self-acceptance and resilience: bet on yourself, stay strong in who you are, and recognize that perceived imperfections simply contribute to your unique identity.
