Jade Tailor knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the arts. Inspired by her mother, actress Sally Pansing, she studied acting, singing, music, and dance throughout her childhood. Now, as an adult, she stars on SyFy’s top scripted series, “The Magicians,” which is in its fifth season.
In addition to acting, Tailor is a self-development coach and domestic violence counselor. “I dealt with my share of trauma in my childhood, and wanted to be able to support others in healing as I have through counseling and self-development work,” she tells Thrive.
Tailor sits down with Thrive to share how she reduces stress, practices mindfulness, and how breathing helps her though every scenario.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Jade Tailor: The very first thing I do is cuddle my fur babies. Second, I turn on some inspirational music and do some movement, which helps start my day off in a positive way.
TG: What gives you energy?
JT: So many things: people give me energy — especially my loved ones — doing things that I love, creative expression, play, dance, and matcha lattes!
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
JT: I have recently gotten an alarm so that I don’t use it before bed or when I wake up. I make sure that I am not scrolling social media for at least an hour before bed or an hour after I wake up. I limit my social time in general during the day, so I am using it predominantly for communication and photos.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
JT: First, breathe. I tend to move quickly and don’t always pause throughout the day. Although I always try to make time in my day to walk in nature and breathe in my surroundings.
TG: The fifth season of your show, “The Magicians,” just premiered. As the show has grown, have the storylines taught you anything?
JT: I think Kady’s storyline in particular has taught me my own inner strength in a lot of ways. She is incredibly strong and has overcome a lot, and I’ve learned through her perseverance. Also, I’ve learned that caring for others above your own inner demons or trauma can actually allow you to help heal. The show itself celebrates people in all their wounds, flaws, and glory. That in and of itself constantly inspires me.
TG: In what ways are you similar to your character Kady? In what ways are you different?
I always joke and say that I smile a heck of a lot more than she does. Though we have both dealt with loss and hardship, the way we project that out into the world and our mechanisms of how we express that are very different. She fights with anger and her fists, and I try to fight for humanity with love. The best way I can describe it is that we have the same engine (we both care deeply for others and fight for humanity), but a very different outward expression of that engine.
TG: How can we incorporate more magic into our daily lives?
I don’t think it’s about incorporating more magic. I believe it is about recognizing the magic that is our lives. We are living, breathing entities that came from a tiny embryo into a full-grown person. People are magic. That, to me, is magic. Magic exists in the clouds, in the sky, and in flowers. I hope people begin to see the magic all around them.
TG: What advice would you give your younger self about reducing stress?
JT: I think everyone has different needs and things help to reduce stress. For me, it’s practicing self-care. For me that means being in nature, quiet time or meditation, getting a massage (if one has the means to do so), and taking a breath.
Breathing has been proven to reduce stress. It reminds us to be present in this moment. Often, when we are stressed, it is because we are hurt about something that happened in the past, or nervous about something that we fear will happen in the future. We are rarely actually living or thinking about this present moment. So breathe, knowing that in this moment you are living, breathing, and safe.
TG: A major part of your career involves auditioning. Has auditioning taught you anything about rejection?
JT: I have learned that there is actually no such thing as rejection. When you don’t get a job after an audition, the percentage of it having anything to do with you or your talent is very small in comparison to it being about specific character traits and what the director/casting director envisioned. It is art, and art is subjective. Someone else’s opinion of you almost always has nothing to do with you, it has to do with someone else’s perspective and vision. That doesn’t mean stop trying. Rejection is only in your mind.
TG: Do you have any role models for living a thriving life?
JT: There are many people I am influenced by for different reasons. Oprah is a good example of someone who has overcome a lot and turned it into a way to help others on a grand scale. Same with Maya Angelou. I respect and am inspired by those that use their voice for good.
TG: What’s a surprising way you practice mindfulness?
We think mindfulness is about looking within, but we learn through human interaction. Focusing outwards on others and having kindness and empathy for another experience is something I believe we need more of, and also helps us get out of our own way.
TG: How do you reframe negative thinking?
JT: I take a breath and look for the things that I know are true and positive about me. I meditate with a positive affirmation until it alleviates some of the negative thinking. I try to be my own cheerleader. I also put on a positive and inspirational song and dance or move around. Science proves that releasing endorphins helps our body and mind to think more positively. It is important to create relationships that can support you and love you through hard times.
TG: What brings you optimism?
JT: People, art, expression, dance, baby animals, babies, movement, community, people caring for one another, love, kindness, empathy, nature, my work, friends… I could go on forever.
TG: You grew up with a mother who was a Holistic Nutritionist. Did that shape you in any way?
JT: My mother and her work have shaped me immensely. Being in the healing and health field, I was able to have a different understanding of caring for one’s self. I have not only learned about nutrition and the value of it, but my mom also had a big community of healers, which allowed me to learn about many different healing modalities at an early age that I now practice daily.
TG: What is your advice for people who want to start using their voices to create change, but may be hesitant to do so?
JT: Find what you are passionate about. If it truly matters, the desire should outweigh the hesitation. Also, sometimes I think people hesitate because they don’t know where to start, and it may feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t look at it as though you need to change thousands of people’s lives in one moment. Start with one step, one person, and one day.
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