At Readiness, we believe the most valuable conversations about wellbeing and performance are grounded in lived experience. That is why we are proud to introduce a new 12-part video series featuring champion jockey Craig Williams in conversation with Simon Kearney from Readiness. The series has been developed to explore the realities of life in racing through the lens of one of the sport’s most respected and enduring competitors.
Craig Williams has built a distinguished career at the highest level of Australian racing. His success, professionalism and longevity have earned him widespread respect across the industry. This series recognises that contribution while also creating space for a deeper conversation about the demands of jockeying, both on and off the track.
The interview series is based on a structured 12-question guide prepared for the Victorian Jockeys Association in partnership with Readiness. It is designed to bring together practical insight, lived experience and current wellbeing themes in a format that is concise, accessible and relevant to jockeys, their families and the wider racing community.
Across the series, Craig reflects on the mental load of race day, the pressure of competition, the demands of making weight, the challenge of maintaining sleep and recovery routines, and the physical realities of a sport where injury and concussion remain serious considerations. The conversations also examine mood, decision-making under pressure, positive coping strategies, support networks, psychological safety, early help-seeking, and the practical realities of career longevity and life beyond racing.
These are important topics. The guide underpinning the series notes that jockeying combines significant physical danger with a distinct psychological load, and draws on research relating to mental health, weight management, concussion and occupational pressures in the profession. It also highlights the importance of strong support systems and early intervention.
What makes this series especially valuable is Craig’s credibility. He is not speaking about racing from a distance. He is speaking from experience, from years spent managing pressure, setbacks, expectations and performance in one of the most demanding sporting environments in the country. His willingness to share that perspective is a real contribution to the industry.
For Readiness, this work reflects a broader commitment to practical, human-centred wellbeing. Performance is never only about resilience in the narrow sense. It is also about recovery, support, culture, early action and the systems around people that help them stay well and perform sustainably over time.
The series also highlights the work being done to strengthen jockey wellbeing in Victoria. The interview guide references the VJA Wellbeing app powered by Readiness, which has been tailored to support jockey mental health while also streamlining physical health assessments and follow-ups. It sits alongside existing support pathways promoted by the VJA and Racing Victoria, including the Jockey Assistance Program and confidential support services.
Over the coming months, we will release one video at a time, building a thoughtful library of conversations that speak to both performance and wellbeing in racing. We are grateful to Craig Williams for his openness and generosity in contributing to this series, and to Simon Kearney for leading the interviews with clarity, respect and insight.
This series is about more than racing success. It is about what it takes to sustain performance, navigate pressure and support people well in high-demand environments. We are proud to share it.