YouTube sensation and professional boxer Jake Paul may hold the boxing ring, but outside of that ring, he bows to be with his great girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, an Olympic speed skater from the Netherlands.
The six-time World Champion, Leerdam, had won a silver medal in the 1000 meters at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and continues to shine in her career, recently clinching gold at the 2023 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships. Despite their packed schedules, they have been able to build a relationship that can balance their individual athletic pursuits as well as shared goals.
How They Met
They were a little quirky; Paul slid into Leerdam’s Instagram direct messages to book her onto his podcast. Leerdam initially had her doubts but conceded on Netflix’s Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson that she thought Paul was “arrogant” based on his online persona. “I never expected to date him,” she confessed.
The two, however, initially found an instant bond in the podcast and eventually discovered a deep connection. “We connected in these two crazy worlds on a super personal, deep level,” Leerdam said. By April 2023, their relationship became Instagram official when Paul cheekily captioned photos of the couple, “I’m Dutch now.”
Life Together
Leerdam attends all of Paul’s matches, including the one he has scheduled to face the former boxing legend Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The favor is returned as Paul cheerleads her speed-skating career and adds his congratulations on her wins on social media.
Both had to cover long distances since their respective schedules of training were going on. However, the couple ensured that their relationship was not in any way affected. The lovebirds shared some online messages through social media posts after their first anniversary in April 2024. “I love you,” Leerdam captioned an Instagram post. “You are making me the happiest girl in the world.” Paul reciprocated her feelings, saying he has been “in love since day one.”
Mutual Respect and Inspiration
Their relationship goes beyond love to mutual inspiration. Leerdam respects Paul’s work ethic and the seriousness with which he approaches the box. “You inspire me so much with your work ethic, the way you think big and your crazy determination,” she said in a social media post.
Similarly, Paul also thanks Leerdam for her passion for her sport. He adds that she has been in such good form and that really proves her level of commitment. And because public figures who face fame and professional sports have naturally found common ground with one another to support and inspire one another
A Modern Power Couple
Together, Paul and Leerdam epitomize this modern power couple that possesses high-profile careers as well as a connection that is deeply personal. Their journey gives fans a look into how two individuals from different athletic worlds find common ground, foster mutual respect, and eventually build a relationship that survives in the public eye.
They went on to push each other toward their goals, which for Paul was the boxing ring, and for Leerdam, the ice. And if love and ambition were two sides of the same coin, so much the better.
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