During the muted stillness of the first lockdown, as the world sought new routines to follow inside confined spaces, Federica Scillufo rediscovered a gesture many associated with the past — or with distant corners of the sports world: skipping. A simple movement, historically tied to childhood games or the solitary warmups of fighters.

But today, skipping represents something far more meaningful. For a vibrant and growing community spread across the globe, this athletic artform is a physical language, a form of expression, a shared ritual. Federica’s story proves it: what began as a personal challenge has become a collective practice. From Los Angeles to Bali, from London to Milan, she’s built a network of people united by rhythm, movement, and mutual support — a synchrony of strength, human connection, and freedom.

From this dynamic comes ‘In Sync,’ the photo project by Theresa Rudzki. Through her lens, she documents Federica’s skipping community — a group in constant motion, balancing athletic performance with personal courage and visual grace. The result is an intimate portrait of bodies moving together, of mistakes embraced, of collective joy and quiet trust.

We spoke with Federica and Theresa about how a simple rope has become a tool for empowerment, a creative platform, and a shared way of being. Because in the end, to skip in sync is also to find your rhythm — and recognize it in others.

Federica, you mentioned discovering jump rope during the 2020 lockdown. What drew you in, and how has it transformed your life?

Federica: “Before 2020, I thought of jump rope as something kids did on the playground—or as part of a boxer’s warm-up. That changed during the lockdown. I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a video of a girl skipping to music. It just looked fun. I showed it to my partner, and the next day we went to the gym in our building. I saw a rope, picked it up—and haven’t stopped since.

At first, I was just sharing my progress online to track how I was doing. But slowly, I connected with others doing the same thing. We started exchanging tips, routines, even struggles. Now, after some years, I’ve skipped with people in L.A., Bali, Milan—literally everywhere I’ve traveled. It’s wild. There’s this invisible thread connecting all of us. And the energy when we meet up is incredible.

What’s amazing is that this sport somehow brought together everything I love. I’ve always enjoyed movement—dancing, swimming, running. But skipping had it all: rhythm, challenge, freedom. You don’t need a subscription or equipment—just a rope and space. And because I love to travel, it became this portable passion I could take anywhere.”

Theresa, how did you get drawn into this world—from the outside looking in?

Theresa: “We actually lived very close by in London during the lockdown. I could see Federica jumping rope on her terrace from our balcony. At first we were just like, “What is she doing out there?” But she kept at it—every single day. And it was beautiful to watch her progress.

Later, I saw a video of her skipping with two or three other women. There was this shared rhythm, a kind of choreographed flow. That’s when it really struck me: this wasn’t just exercise. It was connection. There was joy and synchronization, but also this deep awareness of one another. And for me, synchronicity is a powerful metaphor—it means you’re tuned in not just to yourself, but to others.

I thought, what if we captured this energy in a more refined, creative setting? Not just in parks or casual spaces—but somewhere visually intentional. I texted her immediately: “I have an idea. Let’s talk tonight.” We called, and that’s how our photo project started.”

Federica, there’s such a unique blend in skipping between personal expression and group dynamics. How do you balance that? Does it happen naturally, or is there a lot of practice involved?

Federica: “There’s definitely both. The great thing is that jump rope is incredibly versatile—there are endless tricks and styles. Some people do freestyle, others focus on ‘releases’ (when you throw and catch the rope mid-air), and some specialize in footwork. Everyone brings their flavor.

So when we meet as a group, it’s about finding common ground—something we can all work on together. And while it looks smooth and easy in videos, trust me, there’s a lot of trial and error. That’s why I share my fail videos too—people need to know it takes work. But it’s all about consistency. Like with anything, the more you show up, the better you get.

And because it’s so inclusive—there are kids and people in their 60s and 70s skipping—it really feels like a shared language. A culture. The community doesn’t care about skill level; what matters is passion, and that desire to learn and connect.”

Theresa, you’ve worked mainly in fashion. What was it like transitioning into a sports-focused project like this?

Theresa: “It was honestly freeing. In fashion, even editorial work, the attention is always on the clothes. Here, the story mattered more — the energy, the personalities, the atmosphere. That kind of storytelling lit something up in me.

Also, there’s something wildly addictive about sports environments. They’re emotionally charged in a way fashion sets rarely are. When I shoot a portrait, it’s very one-on-one — I work to make the person feel safe, expressive. But this shoot taught me that I can build that energy in a group setting too — and document it authentically.

What Federica and this community are doing feels like the start of something bigger than sport. It’s a redefinition. They’ve taken the old images of jump rope — either the boxer or the little girl on the street — and created something totally new, inclusive, and dynamic. Online, it’s exploding. Millions of views, routines, tutorials — and it’s being led with a strong representation of women. That feels revolutionary.”

When you finally photographed this meetup, what stood out to you artistically and emotionally?

Theresa: “There was this one moment I’ll never forget. There were about seven women trying to perform a routine in sync. And the goal was simple—get it right once. Just once. But that ‘once’ required intense concentration, cooperation, rhythm, and patience. It was mesmerizing.

From a photographic standpoint, the scene was layered: physical intensity mixed with playfulness; structure meeting spontaneity. As a society, we’re so often focused on the individual—self-improvement, self-promotion. But in that moment, everything was about them. Moving as one. That was the heart of the shoot, and honestly, the heart of the community.

It also blurred the line between sport and art. Jump rope has this quantifiable side—you can count jumps, time, routines—but also this deeply subjective, expressive quality. It’s dance, performance, ritual. That’s what made me fall in love with it, and what I tried to capture through the lens.”

Federica, how has skipping shaped you beyond fitness?

Federica: “It taught me resilience. There are so many tricks I couldn’t do at first, and I’d get frustrated. But then I’d see someone who started just a few months before me doing it. And I’d think, “OK, it’s possible. I can get there.” You learn to be patient, consistent, kind to yourself.

And more than that, it gave me a voice. A space where I could express joy, frustration, pride—all through movement. It’s funny: I never imagined a rope could lead me to so many places and people.”

It’s one thing to be inspired by seeing someone jump rope — that first spark — but you went far beyond that. You built a community, shared your journey, and introduced this movement to so many others. What drove you to go that extra step?

Federica: “For me, skipping is meditative. I used to run, and while I was running, I’d be thinking about everything else — how many calories I’d burned, how fast I was going. It was always goal-driven. But with skipping, I’m just having fun. And the amazing thing is that by having fun, I’m also achieving my fitness goals.

It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment. There are so many tricks, sometimes it feels overwhelming, but you can actually track your progress. I keep myself accountable that way, and seeing how I improve just keeps me going.

Then, when I started sharing my videos online and I began receiving messages — “I started skipping because of you,” or “You’ve changed the way I move my body” — it was incredibly motivating. That kind of impact makes my day.”

Theresa, as the photographer behind the project, how did the individual and collective energy of skipping shape your creative process?

Theresa: “As I shared before, my main goal was to capture synchronicity and connection — that was the central idea behind the series. I usually go into shoots well-prepared, with a clear set of images in mind. But with this one, I allowed space for spontaneity. I really wanted to highlight each person’s character and perspective. I set up my framework but let the moment guide me. 

What struck me was the balance between fashion photography — where there’s control — and documentary photography, where you’re capturing something unfolding. There was a scene where I asked them to warm up and just move naturally while I circled around them. Later, I’d ask them to spread out so we could capture their movement in a more visually structured way.”

Did the experience change how you thought about sports photography, or sports in general?

Theresa: “Absolutely. At first, I imagined they’d all perform this routine flawlessly. But in reality, each woman had a different level of experience, so it took time to find rhythm together. That made me realize just how difficult it is to achieve that synchronicity. Skipping is a high-intensity sport. They were performing for hours — not continuously, of course, but still. That kind of stamina is unbelievable. 

What I captured in the end wasn’t just individual athleticism — it was the energy between them. At one point, I had each woman perform solo for me while the others stood around, cheering them on, hyping them up. That sense of support and community? It’s something I’ve only found in sports. It’s real. It’s emotional. It’s rare.”

Federica, where would you say skipping stands right now in the world of sport? What’s the state-of-the-art of the discipline?

Federica: “Five years ago, skipping wasn’t really seen as a sport. It was just cardio boxers did, or something you saw in CrossFit. But now it’s evolving fast. It was even introduced as a demonstration sport at the Olympics, which means it could become a full Olympic sport soon. That makes us all in the community really proud.

What’s great is that it’s such an accessible sport — full-body workout, cheap, portable. You just need a $30 rope and some space to practice. But choosing the right rope matters — I learned that early on.”

Beyond fitness, how has jump rope impacted your life — especially in terms of confidence and empowerment?

Federica: “It completely changed how I move through the world. I remember being unsure, even shy in front of a camera when I started. But now, I feel confident both online and in real life. That’s something that came from skipping — and from sharing that journey.

It’s also about helping others. I get so many messages from people who want to start but don’t know how. I try to guide them, tell them to take it slow. A lot of us start later in life — I was 30 — and we think, “It’s too late. I’ll never be good.” But that’s not true. If I can do it, anyone can. You just need a bit of encouragement and the right tools.”

There’s a broader movement happening right now with women’s sports gaining momentum — from packed stadiums in women’s football to the rise of the WNBA and the outdoor realm. How do you see skipping fitting into this larger shift?

Federica: “I think we’re part of that change. What we’re building is more than just a fitness trend — it’s a sports subculture. It’s about creating platforms where women feel safe, seen, supported.

We’re building something where women push themselves, cheer each other on, and set goals — not just physical ones, but emotional and social ones too. Jump rope has created real connections, across borders and backgrounds. That sense of belonging is powerful.”

Shout-out to the women involved in this project: Claire Smart , Georgina Igwe, Gemma Moses, Iara Monteiro, Imogen Saifie-Blackwell & Sonia Paterson .