A Jakk Of All Trades: The Challenger In His Own Words

March 18, 2023
JAKK MADDOX (TRENT MARX)

We have finally reached the conclusion of The Challenge: Ride Or Dies with the final part of the reunion airing recently. It has been almost a year since we filmed the series and with a schedule, as packed as mine I haven’t really had much time to reflect on the entire experience. I want to start off by first extending my gratitude to the network and the producers that have allowed me to exist in this space and share these moments from my life. Being on reality television was never a goal or aspiration of mine but something that more or so just happened and I’m glad that it has.

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I’ve worn many hats in life but my aspirations have typically centered around art, fashion, and fitness. After Ex On The Beach, I swore I would never do reality again, the experience was harrowing, and I felt so hurt for a long time. I experienced death threats and social media abuse for over a year, and some fans even got my phone number. The hatred felt never ending and there was no one there to help. It felt like the world was against me and no matter what I did I was being harassed.

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After I met my now fiancé, I felt like I could be myself again. He wasn’t against me or judging me at all, and then when I decided to invent Trent Marx and venture into that industry he was by my side 100%. It really is freeing to have an alter-ego that is nothing like your everyday life. The confidence I regained performing as Trent made me comfortable in front of cameras again, something I swore had ruined my life suddenly wasn’t so scary anymore. So when Laurel called and asked if I would do The Challenge it was an easy yes. My life was great, I had just gotten engaged, was preparing to go to college for the first time, and felt extraordinarily healthy and focused. Also, the idea of reality tv in my opinion should be real, and getting the chance to share one of the most important friendships I’ve ever had with the world felt right.

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Looking at how drastically different my life is pre and post-Laurel, having that influence and positive drive has changed me for the better. It goes back to that old saying our parents drove into us, “you are who you surround yourself with.” I’m so fortunate to have a friend that balances me out, gives me a shoulder to lean on, and makes me a better person. I was ready to come back into this sphere in the best place I had ever been and in hand with my best friend. As we watched the season unfold things clearly didn’t work out in our favor in terms of competition, as partners we couldn’t get the right footing and by the time we did it was too late. There are also many factors that play into it but nonetheless, I still walked away extremely proud. Why? For the first time in a long time, I really felt like myself again.

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The me before life seemed to fuck me up and keep me in survival mode, and that is worth more than any win. I got closer to one of my best friends and regained a part of myself I thought was gone forever. What more could I even ask for? I know I got rather emotional towards the end of the reunion, but it’s true; I have felt like an outsider most of my life. The feeling of not belonging anywhere used to bring me so much pain but now it’s one of my super-powers. I don’t need to fit in anywhere, but I’m still going to take a seat whether you like me or not. I don’t move about my life so I can be liked by everyone, it’s impossible and exhausting to do so. It was at that moment I truly realized everything they made fun of me for are now the things they celebrate about me. I’ve always been the same, I guess the world just changes.

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A lot of people ask if I would do it again and the answer is always yes. Personally, I would like to win before my last year of undergrad so I can pay for medical school. I have such a fire within me and I truly am beyond grateful for the place I am in. As I said, a win would be ideal while pursuing my degree, but once I am in full swing of my medical career I probably won’t ever be on camera again. Not as Jakk or Trent but I will be happy living the life I worked hard for with my hopefully then-husband still by my side. Just to be in this present moment where I am finally getting things right, working towards my childhood dreams, and living as free as possible… I couldn’t ask for more right now. As always, just stay true to yourself and take no shit.