“I’d thought about suicide a lot and I wasn’t happy but now I can honestly say I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.
“I’ve let myself down in the past with drinking and some really rough phases. I haven’t had a drink in four months because from September to January I was in a really bad place.”
With the world of boxing, and everyday life, put on hold for most of 2020 there is a lot to feel negative about. All too often it is that pessimistic voice that lingers in our head the longest.
Out in Sydney, Australia, Luke Jackson is determined to take this opportunity and shine a light on those suffering from mental health issues. The 2008 Olympian, 19-1 as a professional, completed his 5:5:75 challenge from May 21st to May 24th. In those three days he ran five miles, every five hours for 75 hours.
“I’m very happy that we raised over $12,000 for a very good cause but my right knee is fucked, I’ll be honest. It was rough, it was tough, my body is aching and my hamstring progressively got worse over the fifteen runs.
“By about the tenth round my right knee had swollen up with fluid all around it. It was tough but, then again, so is living with mental illness. People suffer all round the world, every day, and we raised some money and awareness for that.”
The $12,500 raised goes towards an Australian suicide prevention charity, LIVIN. Jackson completed the run in honour of three fellow boxers who had taken their lives: Dwayne Lalley, Billy Ward and Ben McEachran.
“LIVIN was formed in honour of a friend of mine, Dwayne Lalley, who unfortunately took his life some years ago. His friends set up the charity to try and break that stigma around mental health and encourage people to be open about what they’re going through.
“It isn’t weak to speak. I live with my own mental challenges day in, day out, so we’re trying to do something positive and really raise awareness for suicide prevention.”
Having begun the challenge with a sore hamstring, the 35-year-old was kept on his toes by flatmate Josh over the course of the run. His toughest moment came with 60km complete and with fluid rapidly gathering around the knee.
“It was 9pm and my 13th run and honestly I thought my knee was going to pop. I was running and having to change my style to really put the weight on my left leg. That was the only time I ever had a little doubt about reaching the finish line because I was so confident but, look, if that knee had gone I would have crawled the final 10km.
“In April I smashed the [David] Goggins challenge [four miles every four hours for 48 hours] and I knew I could have kept going so I felt quite flat the day after. My mind never broke but my body certainly did, this time round, and that’s I suppose pushed me to keep going. Your mind is stronger than your body, by far.”
Entering what he calls “the bubble” he explained that he would focus exclusively on that goal, whether it was the 5km, competing in the Olympics or training for a fight, until it is complete.
Having last spoken to him on the night he fought Carl Frampton, for the WBO title in Belfast, I gathered his reflections on that night and they were characteristically candid and pragmatic.
“Against Carl it just wasn’t my night and he was much better than me, I can live with that. It wouldn’t have mattered what I did that night because Carl just wouldn’t allow me to get my distance and settle into a game plan.
“Would I love an opportunity to fight him again? Absolutely. I would love to fight in Belfast again, maybe on Carl’s next undercard, it was a phenomenal experience.”
Belfast’s adopted Australian brother has always been open and honest about his life and his imperfections. Most impressively of all he has remained a proud ambassador for mental health awareness even when he’s encountered tough times of his own.
Talk to anyone in Australia and they say the same thing about the featherweight, he is one of the most mentally, and physically, resilient fighters you’ll ever come across. He is humble and he is human.
The Australian opened up about those darker times of his life and explained how “boxing helped flick the switch” from a real tortuous period last year.
“I’ve focused on the positives and I’m learning every day how to be a better person and live a better life: I’m very proud to have raised $12,500 for LIVIN and helping other people in the same position brings me a lot of joy.”
Having spent nearly two decades in and around boxing, and with all his knowledge of the world, what would Luke Jackson say to his 14-year-old self, when it felt like everything was against him. His message, as pertinent as it was to his situation, rings deep within all those suffering from mental health issues: keep going.
“It’s been some fucking journey! I’ve been up and down like a yo-yo. From the depths of hell to the steps of heaven but, after all of it, I’m at peace now and I’m happy.
“I was a kid who was lost with no direction, getting involved in drugs, grew up by himself and dropped out of school in Grade eight to 19 years in the sport. Olympic captain, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and a World title challenger.
“The journey isn’t over but if only that little kid knew what a life he’d lead I’d tell him ‘keep going, brother, let’s fucking go.’”
