Navigating the Mental and emotional Side of Athletic Excellence: Jack Green
Navigating the mental and emotional side of athletic excellence: With Jack Green OLY
By Sean Dickson
Athletic excellence is often seen as a journey of ruthless triumph, but as I learned from Jack Green, the reality is far more refined. Jack’s story is a testament to the immense challenges that come with being a professional athlete—mental, physical, and emotional. In our conversation, he spoke about the highs and lows of his career, revealing an unfiltered portrait of an individual navigating the relentless pursuit of greatness.
Burnout and the Brutality of Sport
Jack’s career has been marked by moments of remarkable success, but also two pivotal periods of burnout that reshaped his relationship with sport. As an amateur striving for professional results, Jack juggled three jobs to fund his aspirations. The financial, physical, and emotional toll was immense. "Sport, as much as we love it, is built on fear—not thriving," he reflected.
The culture surrounding sport often prioritises results over the individual. Athletes, he explained, are pressured to worry about “not getting it wrong” rather than “getting it right.” This fear-driven approach overlooks the delicate balance between harmony and high performance. Jack also highlighted how the drive for results often causes athletes to lose sight of themselves and what initially inspired their passion for sport. "We forget about ourselves and what got us there," he admitted.
In Jack’s case, the pressure magnified at the highest levels. A moment of crisis came when he flew out to Qatar to compete, only to stop at a hurdle mid-race. That day marked a turning point. “I broke down,” he admitted. “I knew I needed help.” What followed was a six-week stay in a psychiatric ward, a period where he was considered a threat to his own life. Reflecting on that time, Jack shared, “There was something seriously wrong. When I came back, I felt more stable, but I was only operating at 90%.” Despite returning to competition, the underlying issues lingered. For 18 months, Jack stepped away from the sport, yet even then, he avoided addressing his mental health, choosing instead to “run away” from it. He then received a phone call from a coach in Florida called Loren Seagrave, who's coached about 80 Olympic medallists, which included a couple of world record holders in my event. Loren offered Jack an opportunity to move to Florida and compete again, which he did. However, the unresolved mental health struggles followed him, casting a shadow over his return.
Masculinity, Mental Health, and Breaking the Stigma
Jack’s journey is inseparable from the cultural expectations he faced, particularly within the “stiff upper lip” mentality of British athletics. Early in his career, he embraced the persona of the “Green Machine,” an unshakable athlete who would “crack on” no matter what. Mental health, he feared, would have questioned this identity. “It was this brutal, anti-mental health culture,” Jack recalled. “There was this bold stigma that it didn’t exist. These things don’t happen to me because I’m different.” This belief system fuelled a dangerous cycle of denial and suppression, a cycle that Jack now sees as detrimental not only to himself but to the entire sporting community. But they did happen, and Jack eventually chose to confront them head-on. In 2013, he made his depression public—a decision he remains proud of. However, it wasn’t without consequences. “It damaged me as an athlete,” he admitted, explaining how he was perceived as “damaged goods” in environments that weren’t equipped to support mental health challenges. The experience highlighted a need for safer, more understanding environments in sport—ones that value the person behind the athlete.
Now, as a coach and mental health ambassador, Jack champions a shift away from the "fit in or leave" mindset that once dominated his early professional environments. "The hard, brutal mentality needs to change," he asserted. He advocates for a culture that fosters connection, empathy, and genuine care for athletes as individuals, not just performers.
Lessons from the Olympics
Jack’s Olympic experiences offer a window into the intense and often isolating pressures of elite competition. At his first Olympics in 2012, he felt constrained by internal pressure and fear. "There’s this standard saying, ‘It’s just another race,’ but the Olympics is special," he said. The immense expectation, both self-imposed and external, made it difficult to thrive.
The lead-up to the games was far from ideal. Training in comfort zones was replaced by an unfamiliar environment where coaches weren’t always present, selectors loomed constantly, and when competing as an individual, suddenly you were made to feel like you were competing as a team (Team GB). "Athletes train in an environment that helps them thrive," Jack explained. "Then, they’re thrown into an environment that isn’t conducive to their style." This sudden shift often leaves athletes feeling unsupported and unprepared for the unique pressures of Olympic competition.
Sharing a room with different GB athletes, or someone you’ve never met made for a unique challenge. Furthermore, grappling with the fear of failure, during an event, compounded the challenge even more. “I got bombarded internally,” Jack admitted. “Are you really the athlete you think you are?” These doubts, magnified under the Olympic spotlight, often tested his mental resilience.
By his second Olympics, Jack had learned from these mistakes. With his own coach and a self-designed environment, he approached the games differently. “I went there for myself,” he said. This time, he found confidence in his hard work, knowing he was physically prepared. He also made it a priority to maintain his sense of identity, even when faced with the constraints of team uniforms and strict protocols. “Having to wear team kit, you lose your identity. I wanted to be myself, not an act,” he explained.
Still, the mental challenges persisted. Jack used a great metaphor to describe the pre-event jitters—“Start line thinking”. Everyone has a start line, whether it be in business or in sport, you have to start somewhere. These “little demons” creep in and make you doubt yourself. They can leave you thinking “Have I done everything I can?” The answer Jack had was always yes, and that gave him confidence. This was always something he was good at. It was this belief that he’d worked harder than anyone there that allowed him to perform with composure under pressure.
Observing Excellence: Lessons from Other Performers
Currently, Jack is surrounded by a diverse range of high-performing athletes. His observations of their methods and mindsets have been transformative. “These athletes are mindset monsters,” Jack remarked. Their ability to prepare mentally and physically, even under immense pressure, has left a profound impact on him.
Jack closely observed how elite athletes trained and competed. “Watching them was like a masterclass in resilience,” he said. These athletes would have the ability to understand their emotions and have comfort in losing races when it didn’t matter, but trusting that they would deliver when it counted. “That concept was something I struggled with,” Jack admitted, recognising the importance of strategic preparation and confidence. Jack attributes 90% of his learning to observing others. By analysing their routines, behaviours, and techniques, he pieced together what made them successful. “It’s about taking bits and pieces from everyone and applying them to your own journey,” he explained. This openness to learning has enriched his perspective, both as an athlete and a coach.
A New Perspective on Performance
Jack’s perspective on performance has evolved dramatically. While he used to put immense pressure on himself, he now emphasises the importance of balance. “The person will always impact the professional,” he said. “You’re a human being—you’re going to have good days and bad days.”
Working with mental conditioning coach Angus Mugford was a turning point. Over six months, Angus introduced Jack to systems and processes that reframed how he approached pressure. These tools helped Jack find a healthier way to manage his mindset. Now, as a coach, Jack applies these insights to help others. “Athletes need to feel cared for,” Jack emphasised. “That’s how you get buy-in.” His holistic approach has made him a world champion coach, but it’s also shaped his broader mission to create healthier environments in sport. As a coach, Jack takes pride in connecting with his athletes on a personal level, ensuring they feel understood and supported.
Building a Better System
Jack’s recent ventures reflect his commitment to transforming the culture of athletics. He’s launched a company, called TASR, that uses anonymous data to help sports organizations identify issues and foster growth. "It opens them up to problems they might not have seen," he explained, "and helps athletes develop." This innovative approach has already gained interest from sectors like Formula 1 and football, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the way teams operate.
Alongside this work, Jack engages in keynote speaking to share his journey and advocate for change. His talks serve as a platform to challenge outdated norms and inspire a new generation of athletes to prioritize their mental well-being.
Final Reflections: Resilience and Reinvention
Jack Green’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. From grappling with burnout and depression to becoming a mental health ambassador and world-class coach, he’s redefined what success means—both for himself and for the athletes he mentors.
“Your mind is your most important tool,” Jack reminded me. It’s a lesson he’s learned the hard way, but one he’s now dedicated to teaching others. Whether through coaching, advocacy, or innovation, Jack continues to challenge the status quo, proving that the journey of an athlete is about far more than medals.
By fostering environments where athletes can thrive as people first and performers second, Jack is helping to build a future where the pursuit of greatness doesn’t come at the expense of well-being. His journey stands as a powerful reminder that true success is not just about what you achieve but how you achieve it and the legacy you leave behind.