Jason the Athlete: finding identity and belonging through sport
Growing up in Bath, Jason, of mixed heritage, first discovered his talent at a school sports day. “My goal was simply not to fall or come last, but I crossed the line first. Once you taste success, you want it again and again,” he recalls.
He was inspired by the 1984 LA Olympics when Daley Thompson stood on the podium. “Seeing someone who looked like me winning gold and raising the Union Jack, that’s when I knew I could do it too. My job was to protect that dream.”
Growing up amid racial tension and threats from groups like the National Front only strengthened his determination. Hard work and discipline, training five or six days a week, drove him to join the British Athletics squad and compete in Sydney and Athens.
Surrounding himself with a strong team and a culture of trust helped him cut his 100m time from 11 seconds to 9.98. Disappointment in Sydney fuelled renewed unity for Athens. Respect, trust and commitment became their shared code. That unity propelled them past the USA by just one-hundredth of a second, proof that inclusion and trust build winning teams.
Jason the Ambassador: leading with inclusion and purpose
After retiring from athletics, Jason became a consultant and ambassador for Red Bull, then served two terms as President of UK Athletics. He now uses his platform to champion inclusive leadership and inspire future leaders to create opportunity for all.
Here are five ways to pass the baton toward a more inclusive future:
1. Inclusion drives innovation and better business outcomes
Jason has learned both on the track and in business that performance thrives when every voice counts. As he explains, “When different voices are heard, business decisions improve. Customers want to see their values reflected in the brands they choose.”
For him, inclusion is not a policy but a mindset that fuels creativity, innovation and better results for everyone. Whether in sport or the workplace, the best teams are built on respect, trust and shared ownership of success.
2. Allyship keeps the pathway open for everyone
For Jason, allyship is about quiet, consistent leadership. “Each of us is on our own journey,” he says, “but real leaders hold the door open for others.”
He believes success means supporting others to overcome barriers so that no one walks their path alone. Progress is multiplied when leaders choose to lift others as they climb, ensuring opportunity is not just earned, but shared.
3. Representation inspires belief
Jason understands the power of visibility. “We need role models who succeed on merit and share their stories,” he says, because when people see success that reflects their own experience, belief follows.
Representation fuels ambition and expands what feels achievable, whether on the track or in the workplace. Seeing someone who looks like you succeed turns possibility into purpose.
4. Surround yourself with inclusive leaders and positive influences
Jason credits much of his success to the people around him. “Seek out those who lift you higher,” he advises. By shadowing positive leaders and learning from them, he discovered that inclusion creates an environment where talent can truly thrive.
Negativity limits growth; inclusion unlocks it. Great teams are made up of people who encourage, challenge and celebrate each other along the way.
5. Redefine success through shared achievement
For Jason, success has never been just about medals. “Success is being the best you can be,” he says, “the mirror test.” He believes that when every team member gives their all, shared achievement becomes the real victory.
Inclusion, to him, is what turns individual effort into collective excellence. Leadership is not about standing on the podium alone, but about celebrating the whole team that made it possible.
Building an inclusive future
Jason’s story is one of resilience, teamwork and belief, but it is also a reminder that inclusion fuels excellence. Every organisation, every leader and every individual can make a difference by creating environments where everyone feels seen, valued and empowered to reach their potential.
