Jack Woolley on being a role model for his local community

Extra.ie​

31-05-2025

Under the bright lights of international competition, Irish Olympian Jack Woolley has become more than just a taekwondo sensation—he's a symbol of resilience, grit, and possibility.
Hailing from Tallaght, a Dublin community often overlooked and underserved, Jack's rise to the world stage is a testament to the power of perseverance.
Chatting to Extra.ie, the decorated athlete opens up about what it means to be a role model for young people from similar backgrounds, the weight of representation, and how his journey from local clubs to the Olympic mat proves that your postcode doesn't define your potential. Under the bright lights of international competition, Irish Olympian Jack Woolley has become more than just a taekwondo sensation—he's a symbol of resilience, grit, and possibility.
As a Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund Ambassador, Jack has called on Youth Organisations to apply to the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, stressing the importance of community involvement and how it shaped his upbringing.
'From a very young age, I was always kind of involved in new clubs in my local area and stuff. It gave me something to do outside of the sport. My mam was a local volunteer. I remember actually coming home from school and I wanted to be on the basketball team but there wasn't enough volunteers, so I went home and I begged my mam.
'That kind of opened my mam's eyes to helping the local community and the young kids, because I'm from Tallaght, it's pretty difficult to find stuff to do for young people. We're kind of hanging around the streets and stuff. So she wanted to start up a few youth clubs. She did that. Then for many years, up until after I was 18, I actually started volunteering myself. Chatting to Extra.ie, the decorated athlete opens up about what it means to be a role model for young people from similar backgrounds, the weight of representation, and how his journey from local clubs to the Olympic mat proves that your postcode doesn't define your potential.
During his time on Dancing with the Stars, Jack surprised many not just with his dance moves, but with his openness about struggling with anxiety behind the scenes.
For the Olympian, being candid about his mental health wasn't just personal—it was purposeful. He knew that sharing his experience could help others feel less alone, especially young men who are often discouraged from speaking openly about their emotions.
' I think you kind of learn to hide it easily enough. I would've struggled a lot with it when I was on my own. Especially in the mornings waking up. I'm very organised and I like to have everything in order, so first thing in the morning, I can be quite overwhelmed. Hailing from Tallaght, a Dublin community often overlooked and underserved, Jack's rise to the world stage is a testament to the power of perseverance.
'It kind of started to kick off around the time of trying to qualify for Paris, like the kinda last moments of it. I really started noticing a knock on effect of kind of being Jack Woolley, the robot athlete, people see that side of us and like we're just so focused on training and results and I think that kind of started to eat away at me a little bit and I kind of lost myself along the way of trying to become this Olympic athlete,' he mused.
'Although I had made Tokyo, obviously just getting back from Tokyo and having the assault and there was just so much going on that I never actually gave myself a break and then we focused on Paris, so the sport kind of just started to consume me as a person, and it eventually broke me just up until after Paris when I said I can't do it anymore.
' I want to keep Jack Woolley the athlete and Jack Woolley the person separate… so it was really important for me to go out there and show that on the TV and kind of be a voice for those who are maybe starting to lose themselves or want to find themselves a little bit more.' As a Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund Ambassador, Jack has called on Youth Organisations to apply to the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, stressing the importance of community involvement and how it shaped his upbringing.
While Jack's shelves may gleam with medals and accolades, it's the messages from fans and the support from his local community that leave the deepest mark.
Being seen as a role model—especially by those who walk the same streets he once did—means more to him than any podium finish.
' I just think that's the most important thing for me,' he added. 'The results are great, but when you get stopped on the street by young people or even adults just saying that you're an inspiration to them, it's everything.'
' I'm not just doing it for the fame, I don't want to do it for the Instagram followers. Of course, that's great, but I also wanna do it for young people and the next generation.'
Vhi is partnering with Irish Youth Foundation to deliver the Fund once again this year and is seeking applications from non-profit organisations with ideas to support young people to manage their anxiety and build their resilience.
Lack of funding is the biggest barrier to the development of youth services, so the timing of the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund couldn't be more critical.
Applications are open now until midnight on June 11 at www.iyf.ie/grants/