Jaclyn Mundy

Name: Jaclyn Mundy

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Hometown: Corona, CA

Occupation: Event and Experience Coordinator

California born and bred, Jaclyn (also known as Jackie or Jax) Mundy is a multi-passionate woman who thrives off working face to face with humans. "Whether it’s creating a synchronized swimming performance, sending a bride down the aisle, or getting the logistics set for a big interior design project I believe my secret superpower is empathy. Seeing where people are at and finding the root of the problem then fix it."

Growing up in the Inland Empire, she fell in love with synchronized swimming as a way to cultivate creativity and exercise. Jax created a family with the girls on her club synchro team and continued to follow her passion at Ohio State. From there, she performed with Royal Caribbean in their Aqua Show and throughout Los Angeles as on-screen talent.

Now, she's rocking several hats and thriving. Peep the interview below to learn more!

You truly are the definition of multi-passionate between, synchronized swimming, event coordinating and accounting/business operations. What attracted you to each trade?
I think of my career path as a puzzle that all kind of fits together rather than a linear timeline.

I’ve always been a synchronized swimmer, jumping in a pool and moving to music is something that I’ll probably be doing consistently forever. Performing as well as coaching the next generation of swimmers is a true love of mine.

I discovered Event Coordinators while performing at a synchronized swimming events around LA. I remember looking up from the pool at the women in charge and realizing, I wanted her job. I started interning with companies I admired for a while before starting to create my own events. I fell in love with the creativity involved in it. At weddings specifically, there's only so much you can plan and the rest is improv. The emotion and risk it takes to give a couple a wedding they've dreamed of is so risky and equally rewarding.

Accounting and business operations started when I realized it was a skill I lacked in my work. I didn’t know enough to be a business owner so I applied for a job in the accounting department at Michael Smith Inc, interior design firm. As a type-B personality raised by a type-A family, I realized I could offer creative solutions to the accounting department. I also realized design and creating a memorable space is an art that overlaps with all my passions.

I try to figure out what I'm curious about and try it out. This method will definitely humble you because it's not the easiest path, but it's created a pretty interesting picture.

We understand you've traveled internationally for synchronized swimming, what's your fondest experience thus far?
My experience swimming with Aquabatix in Abu Dhabi, UAE definitely is the one that stands out - it was the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. Two weeks after making a joke about wanting to join my friend that was performing out there already, I found myself on a plane to the Middle East.

We performed underwater, which is basically the opposite of all synchro I've done before, and the audience viewed the show through a piece of glass. I had to retrain my thinking completely.

Also, as an American women used to wearing/doing what I wanted, working in a country where that wasn't necessarily allowed was interesting. It wasn't something that made feel disrespected, but more look at it all with a new perspective. I was only out there for six weeks, but it was the most significant experience I've had thus far.

What are some challenges you’ve hit at this point in your career and how do you navigate through them?
I think most of us (working women) have imposter syndrome. Outside challenges aren’t usually the issue, it’s my attitude towards them that is the real challenge. I usually try to ignore it and push through but what helps me the most is to share with my community. It helps me get past the hurdle and start creating again. Every time I start doubting myself, I make sure to check in with my people and gain some of my confidence back. My people are what help me feel like Wonder Woman again.

What motivates you in the morning? Do you have a morning routine?
Naturally, I’m a night owl, but what gets me going is coffee in a cute mug and knowing I get to create something really cool; that helps to get my juices flowing.

If you give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be and why?
I would tell my younger self to take this time and really grow to love yourself. I spent a lot of my teenage years trying to keep up and compared myself to everyone around me. I spent most of my 20s trying to undo that way of thinking. It's so important to be brave and successful as an adult trying to make it.

Photo courtesy of @sayidotodetails_jaclyn

Discuss the importance of female friendships in your life.
Female friendships are the most important thing in my life. In synchro, you have a team of 8 girls you train with day in and day out. You learn to anticipate their every move to be synchronized and discover really quickly that no matter the differences between each one of you, you’re all showing up to create some magic. The girls I grew up swimming with are now my biggest assets. I can go to them with questions, heartache and inspiration.

Every day I am thankful for the female friendships I have. I’m always thinking of how to expand that network as well as learn and grow with them.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
I think this question ties in with the last. My greatest influences have been my female friends. I could write a book about how amazing I think they all are. The women that I grew up with are world changers, survivors, Olympians and creators. If I can take just a percentage of their greatness, I’ll be a sure success.

If you could have dinner with any woman in history, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I am smitten with Michelle Obama. She is a powerhouse and has a beautiful way of looking to the past to create a future. I love the way she leads her family and how she represents a bright part of our country’s optimism. Working at Michael Smith Inc, who designed the residential quarters of the White House, I felt that was a degree of separation closer :)

What are you grateful for?
Grace. There are parts of life we are ashamed of or don't highlight, but grace really solves chaos. Grace towards each other, ourselves and beyond.

Quote to live by?
“A rising tide lifts all boats”

Follow Jax's personal adventures, synchro magic or peep her latest event.
To catch all the magical details, check out her website!

Interviews