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Colin Jackson is a retired British athlete who is celebrated for his remarkable achievements in the 110 metres hurdles. Having made a significant impact in the world of athletics, he is also known for his role as a mental health speaker and advocate. Colin’s ability to inspire others extends beyond his sporting successes; he has used his platform to raise awareness about mental well-being, becoming a sought-after speaker who connects with audiences on a deeply personal level. His journey through athletics and his openness about his own mental health struggles make him an influential figure in the mental health and LGBTQ+ communities.
Colin’s career as an athlete was built on years of dedication and perseverance. He made a name for himself early on, securing an Olympic silver medal in 1988 and going on to become a two-time World Champion in 1993 and 1999. His ability to push the boundaries of his sport earned him a world record in the 110m hurdles, a time that remained unbroken for over a decade. These incredible achievements marked him as one of the finest athletes in the world. Yet, despite his athletic success, Colin’s journey was not without its challenges, which he later opened up about in his work as a speaker.
In 2017, Colin came out as gay at 50, advancing LGBTQ+ representation in sports and inspiring those facing similar struggles. Post-retirement, he has coached athletes like Mark Foster and Rhys Williams, and become a prominent athletics commentator for the BBC. He co-founded the Go Dad Run campaign for prostate cancer, served as Race Director for Red Bull: Wings for Life events, and earned honours including an MBE, OBE, and CBE. Appointed Chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University, Colin’s autobiography reflects his impactful journey, solidifying his role as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health.
Today, Colin is in high demand as a speaker, hired by organisations and events looking for a figure who combines personal experience with professional expertise. His candid discussions on mental health, resilience, and LGBTQ+ advocacy make him a compelling and relatable speaker, able to inspire and motivate individuals to face life’s hurdles, both literal and metaphorical. Colin’s unique journey from elite athlete to mental health advocate underscores why he is such an impactful and sought-after speaker.
“The delivery and content of his presentation were excellent. I have rarely, if ever, met anyone who is so generous with his time with every single person he meets. He has that rare ability to make each one feel so special. Nothing is too much for Colin; his rapport with both children and adults is obvious from the moment he arrives”
“I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. Colin was fantastic and I really appreciate him arriving on time, being fully briefed and ready to go. We had some really positive feedback on his speech from students, guests, tutors and our VIPs so please pass on our thanks”
“Colin Jackson was the perfect addition to our business event. He was extremely engaging, lovely to talk to and interacted with all our delegates following his keynote. Would highly recommend him as a speaker for any event!”
“Please can you pass back to Colin huge thanks for speaking at and essentially hosting our event. He was fantastic and couldn’t have been nicer – he spoke to, and had photos with hordes of people after the event. He’s definitely a world-champion speaker as well as a world-champion athlete. His talk and Q&A session were absolutely gripping, fit the brief perfectly and left everyone feeling really inspired to reach for the things that really matter to us, turn mistakes and obstacles into stepping stones and put our whole selves into whatever we are trying to achieve. I found myself wishing I had means of taking notes! We’re all still buzzing.”
“Colin was brilliant!! The feedback from people who have been before was he is the best speaker we have ever had at the event.. and as you know we have had some good ones over the years!!! Nothing was too much trouble… and we can’t thank him enough for all his help with the event. Also thank you to you and your team there for all the support.”
“I just wanted to let you know that yesterday went very well. Colin was as engaging as we had hoped. Colin handled the questions excellently and was very open while maintaining professionalism. The talk was absorbing and while Colin would have clearly delivered it before, he came across very naturally and engaged with us. Some great insights.”
The Mental Health Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for emotional wellbeing experts since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all demographics receive tailored, impactful mental health guidance.
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