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In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, we sit down with JJ — a trailblazing former Royal Air Force servicewoman, bodyguard, and reality TV contestant — to talk about the lessons life has taught her on the front lines and beyond. From serving in Berlin when the Wall fell to working in Afghanistan as a close protection officer, JJ shares gripping stories that highlight the power of intuition, authenticity, and resilience.

With refreshing honesty and hard-earned wisdom, JJ opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated military system, how she earned respect through quiet confidence and competence, and why being yourself is the most disarming and powerful thing you can do. She dives into the importance of trusting your gut, even when it doesn’t make sense in the moment — because, as she learned firsthand, it might just save your life.

We explore what it means to lead under pressure, why real leadership is about empowering others, and how seemingly small acts of encouragement can change lives — especially in environments defined by structure, discipline, and danger.

JJ also reflects on her experiences on TV shows like Jailbreak and Survivor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the reality TV world and what it taught her about human behaviour, perception, and staying true to yourself.

This episode is a masterclass in courage, self-trust, and embracing who you really are — no matter where life places you. If you’ve ever struggled with doubt, identity, or knowing when to listen to that inner voice… this one is for you.

About JJ Adams.  

Third generation RAF who served for over 13 years in both the U.K. and Berlin Germany, with various detachments in the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and the USA.  

After serving in the RAF, took part in a number of reality TV shows.  

During this time and to date has undergone 5 spinal operations that has resulted with her neck being 80% titanium, and a weakness of her left hand and arm and occasional leg weakness.  

Worked as a close protection operative in the U.K., Europe and the Middle East.  Whilst protecting international diplomats, international police personnel and other dignitaries in Afghanistan suffered a catastrophic brain aneurysm in  Kabul, which resulted in various medical evacuations by road, black hawk and American aeromedical flight to Germany, where two emergency brain surgeries were carried out after the first brain surgery in Bagram where she had to be brought back to life three times.  

This resulted in an element of brain damage which included blindness, inability to walk, dress, and eat amongst other things.  
After intensive and extensive rehabilitation in a clinic in Bavaria was declared fit to return back to Afghanistan to continue bodyguarding.  

In Bavaria in 2020 was the sole carer for her father who suffered from aggressive dementia.  After he passed away, with her mother, returned to the U.K.   Once back in Sussex, nursed her mother through leukaemia and Parkinson’s until she passed away two years ago.  

Was the first woman to run the detention centre in the Falkland Islands, and was stationed in Berlin when the Berlin Wall fell, amongst other notable events.  

Whilst in Bavaria, Germany, where she lived for 20 years, was a resident in a psychiatric unit where she was diagnosed with Complex PTSD.  

Currently volunteers for a number of charities such as the Royal British Legion, and is a trustee for the Royal Air Force Association, but is mostly committed to The Not Forgotten Association where Princess Anne is their patron.