I RESENTED My Past

Colin Jackson was once the fastest hurdler on the planet. Then on the day he retired, a friend told him: “Today you’re somebody. Tomorrow you’ll be nobody.” His response was something nobody expected: In this raw, revealing and funny interview, the world-record-breaking athlete and Olympic medallist joins Strictly Come Dancing legends Brendan Cole and James Jordan to confront the identity crisis that followed his retirement from professional sport.Colin reveals why he initially rejected the achievements that made him famous, fought to prove he was more than “Colin Jackson the athlete” and eventually realised he could embrace his past without allowing it to define his future.He also speaks candidly about being gay, why he kept his sexuality private during his athletics career and why he came out publicly at 50. At first, Colin did not understand why that decision mattered. Then messages arrived from LGBTQ+ people who finally saw themselves represented in one of Britain’s greatest sportsmen.The conversation turns deeply emotional as all three men discuss grief and losing their fathers. Colin reveals that he still listens to his father’s voice messages, while James admits his own grief became so overwhelming that it affected his entire family.Colin also tells the extraordinary story behind his public fallout with fellow athletics legend Linford Christie. Their friendship and business relationship collapsed, Colin was locked out of his own office and his fury almost drove him to a decision that could have changed his life forever.Brendan and James discuss their own brief fall-out and the events leading up to it, plus James reveals how he missed out on a life-changing opportunity and the emotional crash that follows fame and live performance. They also take their fierce rivalry to the track in a 100-metre sprint before James tells Colin how he once thought he was about to beat one of Britain’s greatest athletes.In this riveting episode, Brendan and James debate competition, parenting and whether children are being protected from losing. Moan of the Week tackles British humour and loud people, while Viewers’ Questions reveals what it was really like being paired with Strictly celebrities they knew could never win, failing to connect with a dance partner and the live tours bringing Brendan and James back together.This powerful Manopause episode explores coming out, LGBTQ+ representation, grief, bereavement, male mental health, retirement from sport, life after Strictly, midlife identity, friendship, fatherhood and learning how to start again.Tell us in the comments:Did Colin Jackson’s story change how you think about life after success?Should parents ever let their children win?Who was really at fault in Brendan and James’s Strictly argument?Subscribe to Manopause for more honest, unfiltered conversations about the issues men often struggle to discuss.SUPPORTIf you are exploring your sexuality, considering coming out or need confidential LGBTQ+ advice and support, contact LGBT Foundation:https://lgbt.foundation/Helpline: 0345 3 30 30 30For grief or bereavement support, contact Cruse Bereavement Support:https://www.cruse.org.uk/Free helpline: 0808 808 1677LIVE TOUR TICKETSThe Legends in Vegas: After Hours 2026:https://musicalsontour.co.uk/legends-of-the-dancefloor-tour/Brendan Cole and James Jordan’s Dance Rebels: Strictly Unleashed 2027, combining dance, candid conversation and behind-the-scenes Strictly stories:https://www.awaywithmedia.com/tours/strictly-unleashed#ColinJackson #Manopause #BrendanCole #JamesJordan #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly #ComingOut #LGBTQ #LGBTQSupport #GayAthletes #MensMentalHealth #Grief #Bereavement #LifeAfterSport #BritishAthletics #Olympics #LinfordChristie #Midlife #Fatherhood #CelebrityPodcast #Podcast #Celebrity