Average Jacks Podcast

About Average Jacks Podcast

Average Jacks is a personal growth, leadership and high-performance podcast hosted by Jack McKiernan. Through honest conversations with athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, community leaders and everyday high performers, each episode uncovers the habits, mindsets and lessons that drive success. From resilience and confidence to leadership, purpose and overcoming setbacks, Average Jacks delivers practical insights and real stories you can apply to your own life. No hype. No self-help fluff. Just authentic conversations that help you grow. New episodes weekly at JackMcKiernan.co.uk.

Publisher

Jack McKiernan

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

29 Apr 2024

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

82 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   Why Success Never Feels Like Enough | Dr Sven Batke

   Have you ever achieved something you've worked towards for months, or even years, only to find yourself thinking, "What's next?" We spend so much of our lives chasing the next milestone. A better job, more money, a promotion, a house, or simply the feeling that we've finally made it. But what happens when we get there and it doesn't feel quite how we expected? In this episode of Average Jacks Podcast, I'm joined by Dr Sven Batke, plant scientist, academic leader and author of The Arrival Illusion: Why Success Never Brings the Stability We Expect. Sven explores why success doesn't always bring the happiness or fulfilment we imagine, why we constantly move the goalposts, and how tying our self-worth to achievements can leave us feeling like we're never doing enough. We also talk about the reality of rejection, the pressure of comparing ourselves to others, and how confidence is often something we build through experience rather than something we need before getting started. In this conversation, we explore: The Arrival Illusion: Why reaching your goals doesn't always bring lasting satisfaction. Redefining success: Learning to recognise progress rather than constantly chasing what's next. Confidence and rejection: Why setbacks don't have to define your ability or your future. Comparison: How seeing everyone else's achievements can distort how we view our own lives. Leadership: Why good leadership is about helping others grow, not simply being in charge. Self-worth and identity: Building a sense of value that isn't dependent on external achievements. Personal growth: Why small, consistent actions often matter more than dramatic changes. Celebrating progress: The importance of recognising how far you've already come. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that there's nothing wrong with wanting more from life, but we shouldn't forget to appreciate what we've already built. You can be ambitious and still be content with where you are. You can work towards something bigger without believing that who you are today isn't enough. And sometimes, the goalposts don't need moving. We just need to recognise how far we've come. Whether you're feeling stuck, questioning what success means to you, struggling with comparison, or constantly thinking about the next big thing, I think you'll take something valuable from this conversation. Dr Sven Batke is a plant scientist, academic leader and author of The Arrival Illusion: Why Success Never Brings the Stability We Expect. Drawing on his experiences in academia, leadership and personal development, Sven explores the relationship between ambition, achievement, identity and fulfilment, and why lasting satisfaction often requires looking beyond traditional measures of success. If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider following or subscribing to Average Jacks Podcast, leaving a rating or review, or sharing the episode with someone who might benefit from hearing it. Every bit of support helps the podcast reach more people. Join The Cue — My Weekly Newsletter Honest reflections, practical lessons and ideas from the podcast to help you navigate everyday life. Sign up: ⁠https://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk⁠ (https://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk/) Find Out More Website: ⁠https://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk⁠ (https://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk/) YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AverageJacksPodcast⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/@AverageJacksPodcast) Revive Active Scientifically formulated supplements supporting energy, recovery, immunity and everyday wellbeing. Shop: ⁠https://tidd.ly/3PE8Pmc⁠ (https://tidd.ly/3PE8Pmc) Use code JACK15 for 15% OFF. Affiliate link — purchases made through this link may support the podcast at no additional cost to you. Viribus Strength Backpacks, recovery tools and apparel designed for active lifestyles. Use code AVERAGEJACK for 20% OFF. Average Jacks Podcast | Real Talk. Real Growth.

2. 

   5 Oct 2026

   How to Reinvent Yourself When You Feel Stuck | W/ Nicola Sainty

   What if feeling stuck isn't a sign that you've failed but a sign that you're ready for your next chapter? On this episode of Average Jacks, Nicola Sainte shares the story behind her own reinvention, from 18 years in fast-paced corporate retail and fashion, to building her own business, and eventually retraining in nutrition and wellbeing after a deeply personal health journey changed her perspective on life. We talk about what it actually takes to change direction when the life you've built no longer feels right. How do you know when it's time to make a change? How do you take a leap without making a reckless decision? And how do you trust yourself when you're dealing with self-doubt, imposter syndrome and the fear of getting it wrong? Nicola and I also get into the foundations of wellbeing — nutrition, hydration, sleep, movement, muscle health and mental wellbeing and why the basics often matter more than the latest health or supplement trend. Why feeling stuck can be a sign that you've outgrown something How burnout can become a catalyst for change Knowing when it's time to make a career or life change Starting again without throwing away everything you've built Why your previous experience is never wasted Dealing with imposter syndrome when you're making a change Building confidence and learning to trust yourself The connection between nutrition, sleep, hydration and mental wellbeing Why getting the basics right should come before supplements Redefining success as your priorities change Building a life that actually fits who you are now This conversation isn't just about changing careers or improving your health. It's about recognising when something in your life needs to change and having the courage to take the next step. Because sometimes you don't need to completely reinvent your life. You just need to stop ignoring the feeling that something isn't quite right. If you've been feeling stuck, burned out, uncertain about your next move, or wondering whether there's more to life than the version you've built so far, this one is for you. 📩 Join The Cue: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk (http://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk) 🎙️ Average Jacks Podcast Real Talk. Real Growth. 🌐 Find out more: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk (http://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk) Revive Active Scientifically formulated supplements supporting energy, recovery, immunity and overall wellbeing. 🛒 Shop: https://tidd.ly/3PE8Pmc (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 range. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast. It helps more people discover these conversations and supports the continued growth of Average Jacks.

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Why Success Means Nothing If Your Life Doesn't Fit Who You Are | Rachel Fitzpatrick

   In this episode of the Average Jacks Podcast, I sit down with Rachel Fitzpatrick to explore self-trust, identity, wellbeing, resilience, and the courage it takes to create a life aligned with your values. Rachel shares her journey through career changes, motherhood, personal growth, and rebuilding her identity around what matters most. We discuss why work shouldn't define who you are, how self-trust is built through small daily decisions, and why so many people stay stuck in situations that no longer fit their lives. ✅ Building self-trust and confidence ✅ Why work shouldn't be your identity ✅ Alignment vs hustle culture ✅ Listening to your body when something feels wrong ✅ Stress, burnout and emotional wellbeing ✅ Yoga, mindfulness and self-awareness ✅ Responding instead of reacting ✅ Protecting your energy and setting boundaries ✅ Creating a life that reflects your values ✅ Letting go of relationships, habits and environments that no longer fit ✅ Why growth often feels lonely before it feels rewarding One of the most powerful themes throughout the conversation is the idea that your body often recognises misalignment before your mind does. Rachel explains how learning to listen to those signals helped her make better decisions in her career, relationships, and everyday life. We also explore emotional resilience, leadership, purpose, confidence, and why sustainable success comes from living in alignment with who you are rather than constantly chasing external validation. Whether you're navigating change, questioning your direction, struggling with self-doubt, or simply trying to build a more meaningful life, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately. 📩 Join The Cue: www.jackmckiernan.co.uk (http://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk/) 🎙️ Average Jacks Podcast Real Talk. Real Growth. 🌐 www.jackmckiernan.co.uk (http://www.jackmckiernan.co.uk/) Podcast Partners Revive Active Scientifically formulated supplements supporting 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 range. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and share the podcast. It helps more people discover these conversations and supports the continued growth of Average Jacks. #personalgrowth #selftrust #mindset #wellbeing #resilience #podcast #averagejacks #mentalwellbeing #confidence #pur

Who has been a guest on Average Jacks Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Chris Woodward
• Ryan Rigby
• Dr Tim Cartwright
• Chris Kirkland

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

54,369

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

22 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 67 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact Average Jacks Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.