Jason and Mathieu Fox: A Bond Forged in Childhood and Combat
Jason Fox, born in 1976 in Plymouth, is a renowned British television personality and former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces sergeant. He joined the military at 16 and departed in 2012 after a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2015, he rose to fame as the frontman of Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins, later presenting documentaries like The Final Mission: Foxy's War and authoring books such as Battle Scars and Life Under Fire. He co-founded the charity Rock2Recovery to aid veterans and is touring the UK with his show Embrace the Chaos from 10 March. His younger brother, Mathieu, works as a tree surgeon, embodying a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Childhood Adventures and Sibling Rivalry
Growing up in a three-bed council house on the outskirts of Luton, Jason and Mathieu were inseparable outdoors enthusiasts who struggled academically. Jason recalls, "We were pretty inseparable. We loved sport and being outside, but school wasn't our strong suit." Their bond was tested by frequent fights, with Jason noting, "At about 10, we came of fighting age. He is my little brother, so naturally I found him annoying." Memorable incidents include Mathieu kicking through plaster in their bunk beds and Jason pushing him through a school window, though both emerged unscathed and laughing.
Their father, a former Marine, disciplined them strictly but also inspired them with stories of military life. Jason explains, "Dad would tell us stories, and I loved the sound of it. He taught us map-reading, knot-tying, and outdoor skills on holidays to Scotland and Cornwall." This upbringing profoundly influenced both brothers, setting the stage for their future careers.
Military Careers and Parental Sacrifices
After failing his GCSEs, Jason joined the Marines to avoid feeling like a failure, followed by Mathieu a few years later. Jason entered the Special Forces in 2001, just before the 9/11 attacks led to extensive deployments. He reflects, "I'd be walking off the back of an aircraft and see him walking on. We wouldn't get time to talk – it was more, 'Hey, how's it going?'" Neither brother worried about the other's safety, but they later realised the toll on their parents, especially their mother, who endured a decade with both sons away.
The military instilled confidence in dangerous environments, with Jason stating, "They nurture you. I spent a decade conditioning myself to handle stressful situations." However, the transition to civilian life proved challenging. Jason's PTSD diagnosis prompted his departure, but he questions it, emphasising, "The real challenge was the transition back to 'normal' life, not the severity of military experiences." He struggled with reintegration, leading to divorce and financial woes, until opening up about his feelings became a turning point.
Life After Service and Reconnection
In 2015, Jason ventured into television, finding unexpected joy in shows like SAS: Who Dares Wins. He shares, "Gareth Gates turned out to be incredibly impressive, and Bobby Norris from Towie went from terrible to a frontrunner." Meanwhile, Mathieu faced his own adjustments, moving from combat in Afghanistan to domestic disputes over hair straighteners. He says, "I feel lucky my brother went through it, too, because he understands. There's a mutual respect."
Despite living apart—Jason in London and Mathieu in Devon—their bond remains strong. Jason notes, "When we do spend time together, we still connect like we did as kids. We went for a stomp around Dartmoor recently, living off the land, but without the fighting or falling out of trees." Mathieu adds, "Off duty, at home, he's just a gentle giant," debunking the 'TV tough guy' image while celebrating their enduring friendship.
