The Boxes We Live In: Race, Expectations, and the Pressure to Conform | Jade Simmons

We don’t just get boxed in by others. We box ourselves in.

In this episode, Jade Simmons joins Sean Martin for a real conversation about race, labels, stereotypes, and the silent pressure to conform—especially for people of color.

Jade opens up about being judged for showing up “too Black” after growing up being told she was “too white.” Together, she and Sean break down how respectability politics, cultural expectations, and internalized bias continue to shape how we see ourselves—and how we limit ourselves.

They talk about:

• The pressure to shrink and fit into roles that weren’t made for us
• Racism, labels, and the mental cost of performing identity
• How race and appearance still define perception and access
• Why boldness is more than a look—it’s a tool for freedom
• Why you have to stop performing someone else’s version of you
• Navigating business, culture, and politics while staying authentic

This episode is about doing the work to unlearn who they told you to be—so you can finally become who you really are.

-----

Instagram: hhttps://www.instagram.com/officialjadesimmons/

https://jadesimmons.com/

🔔 Follow us on Instagram!

🕶️ Podcast: @REALMentorsPodcast

🎙️ Host: @SeanMartinMotiv8 | @theseanmartin

-----

🔥 About the Guest – Jade Simmons

Jade Simmons is a transformational keynote speaker, concert pianist, CEO, author, and former presidential candidate. She’s also a trailblazer in pageantry—crowned Miss Illinois 1999 and named first runner-up at Miss America 2000, where she performed classical piano on a national stage and redefined what it meant to be a Black woman in pageantry.

A graduate of Northwestern University in piano performance and founder of Jade Media Global, Jade has created a category of her own with her signature “keynote concert adventures”—high-energy events that blend powerful storytelling, classical music, mindset shifts, and audience transformation. She’s been called “Classical Music’s Number One Maverick”, with performances at the White House, U.S. Supreme Court, and global corporate stages for brands like Dell, Pfizer, and NBC Universal.

In 2020, she ran as an independent candidate for President of the United States under Operation Restoration, bringing a fresh, nonpartisan voice to American politics focused on purpose, unity, and people over party.

Jade is also the author of Purpose the Remix and Audacious Prayers for World Changers, and she continues to speak on leadership, race, reinvention, boldness, personal branding, and unlocking potential through authentic expression.

Whether it’s breaking racial and cultural stereotypes in classical music, challenging conformity in corporate spaces, or using her voice to push for social and political change—Jade Simmons is a force for disruption, purpose, and liberation.

⭐️ About the REAL Mentors Podcast

The REAL Mentors Podcast is all about bringing authentic stories, inspiring messages, and valuable lessons straight to you. Our mission is simple: alter lives with real examples and provide actionable advice to empower the next generation of leaders, creators, and visionaries. If you’re looking for real-talk and real impact, this is the place for you.

-----

Tags & Keywords:

Jade Simmons, Sean Martin, REAL Mentors Podcast, race and identity, breaking stereotypes, internalized racism, keynote speaker, bold leadership, personal development, conformity, labels and expectations, people of color, racial identity, stereotypes,...