I cage fight to relax and was a Royal Marine Commando – but this is my biggest fear

I hiked 30 miles over Dartmoor in full fighting gear to win my green beret. Yet I’m scared of stepping out in front of a bunch of 15-year-olds, writes Christopher Hayes

I visualise the end of a long road and place my fear right at the end of it, getting further and further away (Getty Images)

“Come on, mate. You’re a 6ft 2in, 95kg Welshman built like a brick proverbial,” I tell myself. “You cage fight to relax. You were a Royal Marine Commando for seven years. You hiked 30 miles over Dartmoor in full fighting gear to win your green beret. And now you’re scared of 15-year-olds? Get some perspective!”

Exhaling anxiety, inhaling calm, I visualise the end of a long road and place my fear right at the end of it, getting further and further away. My shoulders soften. I’m alright now. Out I go to the classroom, to tell my story.

I’m here because I’m a British veteran, brought in to British schools to talk to schoolchildren about the importance of resilience in mental health to overcome adversity, build an unbreakable mindset and break taboos.