From Runway to Raceway: Jack Eyers Redefines Strength in Fashion and Athletics

Standing at the intersection of fashion and athletics, Jack Eyers has charted an extraordinary journey that transcends traditional boundaries. The 35-year-old from Wells, England, first captured the world’s attention as a trailblazing model, making headlines as the first male amputee to walk in New York Fashion Week. The experience, he recalls, was electrifying; the pressure palpable as he navigated the runway, surrounded by flashing cameras and an audience eager to witness history. Eyers’ rise to fame in the fashion industry saw him gracing catwalks in Milan, Moscow, and London, culminating in his crowning as Mr. England in 2017. However, beneath the glitzy surface of high fashion, he battled personal demons stemming from his disability, proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD). For years, Eyers concealed his condition, navigating life with a “shield up,” a protective barrier that kept his true self hidden. Reflecting on his past, Eyers admits, “I was a very different person to who I am now.” His transformation began with a pivotal decision made at the tender age of seven when he chose to have his leg amputated, a choice born from frustration with his physical limitations. “I hated it,” he explains. “I wanted to get rid of it. My disability was restricting me physically, it was like a ball and chain.” However, it was a chance encounter with one-legged stunt performer Louie Brownsell that inspired Eyers to rethink his future. Brownsell’s career in the film industry helped Eyers envision a path beyond the confines of his impairment. “It was the first time I had ever been inspired by a role model I could relate to,” he shares. In 2010, Eyers ventured into personal training, which subsequently opened doors to the modeling world through his association with Models of Diversity. Alongside fellow model Kelly Knox, he aimed to challenge the stereotypes surrounding disabled individuals, showcasing strength and vulnerability while promoting the need for representation in fashion. His notable stint at Milan Fashion Week, where he donned a spectacular silver suit-of-armour designed by Antonio Urzi, solidified his status as a fashion icon. Eyers described the outfit as a fusion of his prosthetic leg and the armor, emphasizing the need to redefine perceptions surrounding disabilities. “To have Milan accept me as a disabled model felt like we were really making changes,” he reflects. Despite his success on the catwalk, Eyers felt a persistent discomfort with the modeling industry, often questioning his motivations. He now recognizes that while modeling was about external validation, his true passion lies in athletics. The world of sports provided a stark contrast to the superficiality of fashion, offering clarity and purpose. With aspirations of competing in the Paralympics, Eyers has shifted his focus to para-canoeing, fueled by the inspiration he gained from watching his teammate at the Rio 2016 Games. “Being an athlete, I’m extremely passionate about that,” he states firmly. After winning world championships in 2021 and 2022, he now stands poised to compete in the upcoming qualifying heat for the Va’a single 200m event, where the stakes are significantly higher and the vulnerabilities exposed in a more authentic manner. As he prepares for the imminent competition, Eyers acknowledges the differences in nerves between the fashion world and athletics. “I need to get my head around what it’s like to be in the village, the noise, excitement, big crowd, media and do my normal race day on top of that,” he admits. But he finds solace in the fact that his athletic training far outweighs the fleeting moments of fame on the catwalk. For Eyers, the journey has been about more than personal achievement; it’s a call to others with disabilities to embrace their identities and pursue their passions. “Just because you’ve got a physical impairment doesn’t mean you have to sit on your bum all day,” he asserts, embodying the spirit of resilience and self-acceptance that he hopes to impart to others. As he gears up for what he calls his “lottery ticket” moment at the Paralympics, Eyers is ready to showcase what he is truly made of—not just as a model, but as an athlete who has overcome barriers to achieve his dreams. In a world where the spotlight often shines on appearances, Eyers reminds us that true strength comes from within, and it is the first step toward embracing both our triumphs and our vulnerabilities that leads to real transformation.