MENTAL HEALTH

From an early age, Jack experienced persistent restlessness, anxiety, and a need for structure — long before he had the language to understand it. Sport became an anchor. Competing in triathlon throughout school provided routine, focus, and a sense of control during his formative years.

When he stepped away from sport to pursue a degree in Construction Management and Economics, that structure disappeared. In early adulthood, obsessive tendencies escalated into unhealthy coping mechanisms, culminating in a period of substance abuse and time spent in rehabilitation. It was a turning point that forced Jack to confront his mental health and rebuild from the ground up.

Encouraged by his father to return to cycling, Jack found a constructive outlet for his obsessive traits. The bike restored purpose and direction, eventually leading him toward endurance sport and a deeper understanding of performance under pressure. A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome in 2015 temporarily removed that outlet, reinforcing the importance of balance, sustainability, and identity beyond results.

In 2024, Jack was diagnosed with ADHD — a moment that reframed much of his lived experience. Traits once seen as obstacles became tools he could work with intentionally, fuelling creativity, focus, and ambition.

Today, Jack’s work is driven by a desire to help others navigate similar challenges. Through endurance projects, storytelling, and public speaking, he uses sport as a vehicle to increase participation, improve health outcomes, and reframe mental health as a performance variable — one that can be understood, trained, and harnessed at both an individual and population level.