About Jen

About Jen

Jennifer Strickland is an author, TEDx speaker, former model, wife, mother of three, and the founder of U R More, a ministry that teaches people their worth in God’s eyes.  Jen has written seven books and studies teaching women and girls their true worth, including Girl Perfect, More Beautiful Than You Know, Beautiful Lies, and 21 Myths (Even Good) Girls Believe About Sex. She holds a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and a master’s in writing and literature.

For 15 years, Jen worked worldwide as a print, runway, and commercial model. She lived in several European countries and got an inside look at one of the most glamorized industries in the world. Today, Jen uses her experience as a model, knowledge of Scripture, and love for young women to expose the lies of the media and teach them to see themselves in the mirror of God.

When I found out what beauty looked like in God's eyes, I walked away in search of a more authentic life.

JEN’S STORY

When I was a little girl, people used to stop my mother in the street and tell her I should become a model. At the age of eight, I started doing fashion shows, photo shoots, and mannequin modeling. At seventeen, my career took off when I signed with the Nina Blanchard Agency of Los Angeles (now FORD L.A.) and Nina sent me to Europe. During the next six years, my life was full with auditions, TV commercials, and photo shoots. While attaining a Broadcast Journalism degree from USC, I modeled all over the United States, Europe and Australia, appearing in fashion and beauty magazines, catalogues, and campaigns for such clients as Eddie Bauer, Jordache, Converse, Olay, and Coca-cola. I appeared in Glamour, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen, and was Barbie for the 35th anniversary of the doll in Italy.

During those years I lived with models whose lives were riddled with eating disorders, drug abuse, and unhealthy relationships. My days were filled with either praise or criticism over my appearance; and I became extremely insecure. After college, I signed with two of the most influential modeling agencies in the world, FORD New York and FASHION Milan, and moved to Italy, ready to take Milan by storm and hit the runway. I immediately began working with elite photographers, clients and designers, including Giorgio Armani. I opened his Giorgio and Emporio shows, showcasing his haute-culture and young women’s lines to the world. Armani chose to design the makeup for his 1995 Spring Giorgio Collection on my face, and was considering me for a huge print campaign.

Yet, at this pinnacle of my career, this place from which there seemed no bounds to what I could achieve, I found myself strikingly unfulfilled. As I saw how the superficiality and flesh-obsessed world of fashion modeling destroyed the self-image of so many young women, and left even those that achieved success without a clear purpose, I began to have a nagging sense there had to be more to my life than this.

After Armani, my career accelerated to a frantic pace – I went from studio to studio, country to country, every day dressing up to be a different person: different face, hair, clothes . . . until the reflection in the mirror revealed a dim resemblance of my former self. I began wondering who the woman in the mirror really was and what her value could be. Desperate for approval, I was starving myself for the designers, and became incredibly lonely. Being thousands of miles away from home all began to catch up with me . . . and this fast-moving train to fame derailed in a painful crash that seemed to take every dream of my young girl’s heart out with its wake.

The “beauty” that my career depended upon finally betrayed me: dark circles under my eyes, cystic acne, and a frame so thin that one could see all the ribs down my back; my face and body bore the toll of a business that treated me as a piece of plastic that could be painted up, broken apart, and discarded at will. When my family saw me over the holidays, they tried feeding my anorexic-thin body, and I put on a few pounds. But when Armani noticed my waist-line had changed, he fired me for the shows. From there, my career took a downhill slide, and I found myself wandering the streets of Florence, Rome, and Siena, searching for the meaning of my life. In towering, majestic churches, I got down on my knees and cried out for love, without any hope or faith that my prayers would be answered.

I finally hit rock bottom while working in Munich – considering suicide – and cried out in prayer. Little would I guess that God heard my cries and was right there, ready to pick up the pieces of my shattered life.

I soon met a series of strangers whose wise words changed the direction of my steps. By the beer gardens of Munich, I met a small group of street ministers who were handing out New Testaments; and they told me about Christ, who loved me so much to die for me, and who rose again, proving his power over the darkness that had consumed my days. They brought me to church, got me an English Bible, and literally saved my life. During this time, I also met a stranger on the street who boldly told me that I could not “sell beauty,” and that I needed to turn around and go back the way I came – back home to America and to my family, where I belonged.

From nearly ending my life in a cold, empty apartment to climbing the snowy mountains of Germany, discovering a Savior that could give me a new life and the love I so yearned for, I experienced the miracle of being sought out by the Creator of the universe and rescued. In the pages of His Word, I found the true meaning of love and discovered the security that comes from being a child of God.

Shane & Jennifer Strickland

Since I left the industry, my life has been transformed. Deep down, I always wanted to become a writer. So when I returned home, I took the money I made modeling to go back to school to earn my Master’s degree in Writing and Literature. I began teaching school and working with youth. Soon afterwards, I met my wonderful husband, “the Cowboy,” who always encourages me to use my story, time, and resources to help others. We have been extraordinarily blessed with three beautiful children. My life now has the meaning and purpose I longed for when I was in the modeling industry – to be a wife and a mother, and to help others discover the value that God sees in the heart of every one of His children, no matter how broken their lives may seem.

Over the years, I have taken a lot of time to heal from the past and turn it into purpose. I have fought through the quicksand of unforgiveness, bitterness, pain, and anger. I have sought healing for myself and in my relationships. And I have discovered that when we completely cut the tie with “who we once were” and embrace who we can become, we are free to write a new story for ourselves. Today, my passion is helping others let go of their pasts, release the shame that tries to follow them, and inspire them to know the unconditional acceptance we have in Christ — to know it for themselves, and offer grace to others. If we can reflect God’s heart in a world that needs more of Him, then we have captured the true meaning of life, love, and real beauty.

JEN’S FAMILY

FIND JENNIFER’S BOOKS IN THE SHOP

More Beautiful Than You Know

More Beautiful Than You Know

Pretty From the Inside Out

Pretty from the Inside Out

Beautiful Lies

Beautiful Lies

Girl Perfect

Girl Perfect

21 Myths Even Good Girls Believe About Sex

21 Myths girls believe about sex

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Margi Giovannetti

Jennifer Strickland is a humble, effective speaker who touches the heart, emotions, and psyche, while still challenging us to think about who we are and how we see ourselves. Transparent, gracious, and compassionate, Jennifer uses her solid teaching, biblical knowledge, and personal stories to reach young and old. She is a beautiful person whose true beauty comes from within. She was an incredible speaker for our conference, encouraging women to find their identity in Christ. I highly recommend Jennifer and her team. She’s a treasure to both men and women. Her message is so needed in a world inundated with social media and negative messages that attempt to erode the beauty God has placed in each of us.

Pat Cimo

Every female who engaged in our retreat through Jennifer’s teaching left in a better place than when she first came! Jennifer’s teaching was challenging and used by God to help them believe they are more than the reflection they see in the mirror. She had an amazing ability to connect with each person in the audience through story, teaching, and reflection exercises. It was an amazing day that will have long lasting impact!

Tana Miller

I highly recommend Jennifer Strickland to be the main speaker at your event! Not only is she creative in the way she brings across her message but she truly will invest and care for your ladies, spending time with them in prayer and pouring her heart into them. We were so very blessed here in Southern New England by her ministry. She was an amazing choice and lives are forever changed because of it.

Pastor Rob Weise

We recently had Jennifer speak at our youth conference (3,650 attendees from 75 churches in Wisconsin) during our main rally, seminars, and our Seniors’ breakfast. I was overwhelmed by the positive response we received from her speaking. We saw many young people’s lives changed because of her positive message on self-image and how much she cares about the state of young people. She shared her own life experiences and helped young people think through where they are in regards to reality of life, the mis-perceptions of the world, and how there is a better way. If you are looking for a speaker that could reach teens with a pure message of what God would have for their lives, Jennifer would be a great speaker for you to consider. I know we will have her back at our conference in the future!

Allie Marie Smith

With a growing number of women and girls experiencing bondage from issues such as self-harm, depression, eating disorders, broken relationships, abuse, promiscuity, and addictions, Jennifer’s compelling life story of redemption and wholeness touches the heart of every girl and woman who longs to know her true value. Jennifer is vulnerable, humorous, dynamic, and animated — God works powerfully through her to captivate the hearts of girls and women in a way that is hard to find in today’s speakers. Having lived the perfect lie and illusion that beauty, fame, and success lead to happiness, Jennifer has the first-hand experience to shatter the lies women believe and replace them with the solid truth that they are wonderfully created for so much more! Lastly, Jennifer is extremely professional, competent, and reliable, making it a true joy to work alongside her in ministry!

Sharon Hill

Jennifer presented an amazing message at our event. Her gripping story combined with her transparency and passion to share the work that God has done in her life, touched the hearts of women from all walks of life. I highly recommend Jennifer Strickland as your next speaker.

Dr. Thelma Wells, D.D.

If you think Jennifer gets the attention of adults, just see how the teenagers respond! My teenage grandchildren said they wanted to hear more from her and that her book was the only one they’ve ever really enjoyed reading! If teenagers are informed, inspired, and desire more, does anything else need to be said? Jennifer is an unusual voice of truth, integrity, and dignity. She needs to tell the world about her experiences and her victory. She encouraged me, a 70-year-old great grandmother. So, from teens to grans she has something everyone can benefit from.

Mother of two student attendees

I just picked up my girls from school today and they both talked all the way home about Jennifer’s presenation. It was a BIG HIT with Middle School and High School kids (both boys and girls). My high school daughter mentioned that she was glad that for once, a speaker focused on girl’s topics instead of sports or boy topics. She said that Jennifer engaged with the boys and made them answer questions too. My middle school daughter said that everyone in the middle school was paying attention too, and that all her friends were very tuned into what Jen was saying. Both girls said that they thought it was fine that the boys were with the girls during the presentation because the boys “needed to hear this stuff too.” 

Lori Kennedy

Jennifer has the ability to make you laugh, cry, and see yourself as one of God’s glorious creations — and that is just her warm up! Once Jennifer starts speaking, all you want to do is listen, learn, laugh, and love her. She takes you outside of yourself while helping you see inside of yourself, and does it in such a way that you feel safe, empowered, and capable to embrace all that the Lord is waiting to give you. She opens your eyes and your heart to hear from God in ways you never have. She connects you with others who share similar life experiences — and shines a bright light on the pathway to forgiveness, love, and blessings. Jennifer is also an amazing mother, compassionate, loving wife, and loyal, dedicated friend. Any opportunity women of any age have to hear from her is a gift and one that will produce fruit in their lives.

Chrissie Dunham

The honesty that Jennifer Strickland uses to tell her story drew our young women in and captured their hearts. She provided them with practical tips that the women use daily to transform their lives. These decisions have caused them to do things differently. We loved her so much, we are having her back!

Andrew Doan

As a teacher, participator, and observer of public speaking for most of my life, I’ve come to realize that many speakers make one of two mistakes when interacting with their audience (especially when that audience is mainly teenagers.) They either expect their audience to climb up to their level (which feels unattainable to the crowd) or they step down to the level of their listeners (which feels cheap and pandering.) The best speakers meet their audience where they are and lead them up to where they want them to be. This feels genuine. This is what Jennifer did over the last few days at our school.
Jennifer Strickland is a funny, engaging, dynamic speaker. She shares truth with authority and credibility that comes from both experience (her story is powerful) and an obvious depth of study in the Bible. The ideas she presents about Value, Identity, and Purpose are truths everyone needs to hear.
I heartily recommend her for your conference, school retreat, or any event where you want your people to be encouraged and challenged with deep, impacting truth.

Barbara Brown

Jennifer is a captivating speaker. She keeps the listener hanging in wonder of what’s coming next! Her presentation is not only absorbing, it reveals the truth of God’s power to heal a wounded spirit.

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