The Faces We're Coming To Know- JADE PHOENIX

image courtesy of adventures of jade

It’s a world of intensified perfectionism and blindingly fabricated lifestyles, yet Melbourne-based Jade Phoenix brings a refreshing voice of reason to the YouTube sphere.

Despite a YouTube platform of nearly 40,000 subscribers, ‘Adventures of Jade’ keeps an astoundingly honest sentiment. "I hope to inspire people to make kinder choices", says Jade, probably as she nurses the many plants filling her dainty home.

Such kindness is shown in all her various social media platforms, as a simple life of veganism, soon-to-be motherhood, family and beach days are humbly presented.

At 30 weeks pregnant, Jade realizes now more than ever the privilege of a close-knit family. “We lost my little brother to cancer two years ago, so I think with that loss it’s really brought as all closer together and showed the importance of family and those tight relationships”, Jade explained. Like any family, she sometimes finds navigating home life hard, but after living in Byron Bay early in their marriage, Jade and her husband Michael love being with her parents. “Multigenerational living seems great to me”, Jade explained in a new video as she prepares to welcome her daughter in just a few days time. (she's probably here by the time you read this!)

Despite such a busy season, Jade works tirelessly on every task she takes on. In a new eBook, she will be challenging us to examine the decisions we make as consumers in our day-to-day.

Much like what she does for her audience, Jade also challenges perspectives in her own life. Finding worship music has brought her to know God throughout hard times. “I surrendered myself and asked for help, for courage and for strength”, and, as the 25-year-old articulated, something has really flipped in her life since then.

Jade’s allows these experiences to manifest in aspects of herself, with an understanding of the world’s beauty being ever-clear in her ethical practices. Switching to a vegan-based lifestyle five years ago has been, she told me, the greatest thing she has done (‘aside from marrying my husband", she joked). This recognizes the strain animal products put on the environment, with 70% of water use being found in the agricultural industry.

Ethical consumption of fashion is also a big feature on ‘Adventures of Jade’, via which she recommends brands by the likes of Fabrik, Opia, Pastel Designs and Night Tiger. “I watched ‘The True Cost’ documentary and it really stuck with me. I couldn’t believe the effects fast fashion has on the planet- especially on people.”

What is so special about Jade is that her activism is gently framed by openness about her life, struggles and ideas. A genuine empathy for those around her is such a relieving change to many Youtubers today. It is these qualities that truly place Jade not just as a business entrepreneur, but as a champion of kindness in a digital generation.