Average Jacks: Real talk. Real Growth.

Jack McFen
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  • Self-Improvement

Honest conversations. Unfiltered stories. Real growth. Hosted by Jack McFen, this podcast dives into the routines, habits, and mindset shifts that shape everyday lives. From raw solo episodes to thoughtful chats with relatable guests, Average Jacks is where personal development meets real-life messiness. Expect laughter, vulnerability, and the kind of "real talk" that makes you feel seen. Whether you're navigating your 20s, rebuilding in your 30s, or chasing better in your 40s — this is your space. 🎯 New episodes weekly 📩 Subscribe for updates at www.jackmckiernan.co.uk

  1. 6d ago

    The Unexpected Power of Therapy W/Jon Fox

    🎙️ New Episode – The Average Jacks Podcast Most people know Jon Fox as a fitness influencer, musician, and content creator but behind the confidence is a story of self-discovery, trauma, and learning to become comfortable in his own skin. In this episode, Jon opens up about the mental health struggles that shaped his life, the impact of therapy, and how facing his past allowed him to stop chasing validation and start living more authentically. We explore the role of childhood experiences, neurodivergence, and why vulnerability became one of his greatest strengths. We also dive into the connection between fitness and creativity, how music became an outlet for processing emotion, and the stories behind his songs I Went to Therapy and Clown. Jon shares why boundaries, rest, and self-awareness are essential for long-term success. This conversation goes beyond social media. It's about finding confidence through honesty, embracing who you are, and building a life that aligns with your values. 📲 Follow Jon: @jonfox__ 🌐 More episodes, coaching and content: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk 🤝 Support the Podcast Revive Active – Scientifically formulated supplements to support energy, recovery, immunity and overall wellbeing. 🛒 Shop: https://tidd.ly/3PE8Pmc🎁 Use code JACK15 for 15% off Affiliate link – purchasing through this link helps support the podcast at no extra cost to you. Viribus Strength – Premium backpacks, recovery tools and apparel built for active lifestyles. 🎁 Use code AVERAGEJACK for 20% off across the entire range.

    51 min
  2. The Unseen Battle Behind Rebuilding the Body and Confidence

    Jun 25

    The Unseen Battle Behind Rebuilding the Body and Confidence

    She’s back on the podcast and this time, we go even deeper. Professional footballer and MISSKICK founder Grace Vella returns to share the real story behind her 14-month ACL recovery. Opening up on the mental battles, setbacks, and resilience it takes to come back stronger. In her previous appearance, we touched on her journey. But in this episode, Grace breaks down what injury rehab is really like behind the scenes, from the loneliness and doubt to the discipline and mindset required to rebuild trust in your body. We dive into how she used data and visual progress to stay focused, why recovery is never linear, and the key mindset shifts that helped her turn one of the toughest periods of her career into a catalyst for growth, both on and off the pitch. What you can expect: How to stay locked in when progress feels slow and repetitiveWhy tracking data can keep you grounded during long-term recoveryThe importance of building the right support team—and investing in your comebackHow to overcome the fear of re-injury and regain confidenceWhy sharing your journey can be a powerful tool for resilienceWhether you're an athlete, building a career, or navigating a difficult phase in life, this episode is all about turning setbacks into progress. Grace Vella plays for Bolton Wanderers Women and is the founder of MISSKICK, a fast-growing movement in women’s football. She’s known for her honesty, resilience, and commitment to growing the women’s game. Follow Grace: @gracevellaCheck out MISSKICK: @misskick Explore more episodes and content: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk If you’ve ever had to rebuild, reset, or push through adversitythis one’s for Thank you to the brilliant crew: Emma Coombes Joe FrenchAndy Unsworth John Melling

    37 min
  3. The 3-Step Framework for Sustainable Success in Fitness and Life W/Adam Idowu

    Jun 1

    The 3-Step Framework for Sustainable Success in Fitness and Life W/Adam Idowu

    Success isn’t just about working harder, it’s about understanding yourself better. In this episode, we sit down with Adam Idowu, a health and mindset coach based in Dubai, who shares how injury, setbacks, and self-discovery shaped his approach to fitness, business, and life. From growing up in Liverpool to building a coaching career overseas, Adam opens up about the challenges he faced along the way and how a serious injury sparked his fascination with psychology, mindset, and human performance. We explore the lessons that helped him rebuild both physically and mentally, and why understanding your own behaviour is often the key to lasting change. We dive into the difference between motivation and discipline, the habits that drive long-term success, and why accountability is the foundation of any transformation. Adam also shares his thoughts on the coaching industry, the dangers of chasing shortcuts, and how to identify genuine expertise in a world full of quick fixes. This conversation goes beyond fitness. It's about taking ownership, building resilience, and creating an environment that supports growth. Whether you're an aspiring coach, entrepreneur, athlete, or simply someone looking to level up, there are practical lessons throughout this episode that you can apply immediately. If you're serious about improving your mindset, building better habits, and creating sustainable change, this episode is one you won't want to miss. Tune in now. 🎧🔥 📲 Follow Adam's journey: @adamidowu_ 🌍 Based in Dubai, helping people unlock their potential through health, mindset, and performance coaching.

    1h 19m
  4. The Surprising Truth About Running From Yourself W/Scott Lackey

    May 25

    The Surprising Truth About Running From Yourself W/Scott Lackey

    Most of us go through life carrying past versions of ourselves that no longer serve us, until we finally learn how to let them go. In this episode, I sit down with Scott Lackey, whose powerful story explores resilience, identity, and what it really means to rebuild yourself from the inside out.  Scott shares his journey through military service, entrepreneurship, setbacks, and personal transformation and how his philosophy in “Wake Up to Die Again” is about continuously shedding old identities to grow into who you’re meant to become. We dive into the mindset shifts that come with failure, the importance of discipline and ownership, and why success alone never leads to fulfilment.  We also break down how to deal with self-doubt, rebuild trust in yourself, and stop negotiating with the voice that holds you back. Scott shares how small daily actions, consistency, and honesty with yourself are what ultimately create real, lasting change. This conversation is about stepping out of comfort, facing the truth, and learning to build a stronger version of yourself through challenge rather than avoiding it.  If you’ve been feeling stuck, misaligned, or unsure of your direction, this episode is a reminder that change doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from deciding.  📘 Grab Scott’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Die-Again-Breaking-ebook/dp/B0H19QJKXV🌐 Learn more: https://scottlackey.com For more from me: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk

    1h 2m
  5. The Hidden Downsides of Self-Improvement #71

    May 14

    The Hidden Downsides of Self-Improvement #71

    Most self-improvement advice tells you to do more, push harder, and never stop grinding but what if that mindset is actually making people more anxious, burnt out, and unhappy? In this solo episode, I break down the reality of self-improvement the good, the bad, and where people often lose themselves in the process. We dive into how fitness became the foundation for my confidence, discipline, and personal growth, while also discussing the dangers of obsession, toxic productivity, and constantly comparing yourself to others online. I share the mindset shifts that helped me focus on sustainable progress instead of perfection, why ownership and reflection are key to lasting change, and how to recognise when self-improvement stops being healthy and starts becoming destructive. This conversation is about building a life that actually feels better, not just looks better from the outside. Whether you’re just starting your journey or deep into it already, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t need to come at the cost of your happiness, relationships, or peace of mind. Find out more: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly improve, this one’s for you. Tune in now. 🎧🔥

    28 min
  6. The podcast is Changing... #70

    Apr 30

    The podcast is Changing... #70

    Most Podcast stop before they ever build momentum but after 70+ episodes navigating plenty of ups and downs, this episode is a look behind the curtain at what it actually takes to keep going. In this solo episode, I break down the reality of building The Average Jacks Podcast from scratch, the lessons learned along the way, how things have evolved, and what it takes to stay consistent when motivation dips and doubt creeps in. I talk about why consistency matters more than perfection, how community feedback has and will shape the direction of the show, and why I think authenticity will always beat polish when it comes to building something real. I also share lessons around imposter syndrome, staying motivated through setbacks, and why real growth in podcasting (and anything else) comes from showing up even when it’s not perfect. This one’s for anyone building something from the ground up whether that’s a podcast, a business, or just trying to stay consistent with something you care about. If you’re in the early stages or feeling stuck, this is your reminder: keep going, stay real, and trust the process. Tune in now. 🎧🔥 www.jackmckiernan.co.uk

    16 min
  7. Breaking Negative Patterns W/Meidi Goodson

    Apr 13

    Breaking Negative Patterns W/Meidi Goodson

    Most of us carry patterns from childhood that quietly shape how we think, feel, and act, often without realising it. In this episode, I sit down with Meidi Goodson, who shares how those early experiences can hold us back, and more importantly, how to break free from them. From a high-pressure career to a life dedicated to self-healing, Meidi opens up about her journey through trauma, self-doubt, and a life-changing experience during pregnancy that forced her to rethink everything. We dive into how techniques like hypnotherapy, EFT, and self-awareness can help rewire negative patterns and create lasting change. We break down the link between your thoughts, language, and beliefs and how they shape the story you tell yourself. From guilt and unworthiness to control and negative self-talk, this episode explores the patterns that keep people stuck, and the simple, practical tools that can help shift them from grounding and movement to building real self-awareness. This conversation is about taking responsibility, understanding your past without being controlled by it, and creating a life that actually aligns with who you are. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in the same cycles, this episode gives you a starting point to change that. Find out more about Meidi: https://www.meidigoodson.com/

    1h 24m
  8. Finding Purpose in Change: A Story of Resilience W/ Sharon McSorley

    Mar 30

    Finding Purpose in Change: A Story of Resilience W/ Sharon McSorley

    Most people build their identity around what they do — but what happens when that’s taken away? In this episode, we sit down with Sharon McSorley, a former police officer who opens up about leaving a 25-year career, facing complex PTSD, and rebuilding her life from the ground up. Sharon shares her journey through identity loss, mental health struggles, and the reality of starting over. We dive into how she turned her lowest moments into tools for growth — using self-awareness, curiosity, and acceptance to create lasting change, both in her own life and now with her coaching clients. We break down the difference between surface-level habits and real transformation, why purpose matters more than routine, and how things like movement, nutrition, and mindset all play a role in building resilience. Sharon also opens up on impostor syndrome, hidden struggles, and why discomfort is often the starting point for real progress. This conversation goes beyond coaching — it’s about understanding who you are when everything feels uncertain, and learning how to rebuild with intention. Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating a big life change, or searching for more direction, this episode offers a real and honest look at what it takes to start again — and do it properly. Tune in now. 🎧🔥

    50 min
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About

Honest conversations. Unfiltered stories. Real growth. Hosted by Jack McFen, this podcast dives into the routines, habits, and mindset shifts that shape everyday lives. From raw solo episodes to thoughtful chats with relatable guests, Average Jacks is where personal development meets real-life messiness. Expect laughter, vulnerability, and the kind of "real talk" that makes you feel seen. Whether you're navigating your 20s, rebuilding in your 30s, or chasing better in your 40s — this is your space. 🎯 New episodes weekly 📩 Subscribe for updates at www.jackmckiernan.co.uk

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