From Plymouth to the Frontlines: The Fox Brothers' Journey
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, leaving in 2012 after a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2015, he rose to fame as the frontman of Channel 4's hit show SAS: Who Dares Wins, and has since presented documentaries like The Final Mission: Foxy's War. Jason has authored books such as Battle Scars and Life Under Fire, and co-founded the charity Rock2Recovery to support veterans. He is currently touring the UK with his show Embrace the Chaos from 10 March. His younger brother, Mathieu, works as a tree surgeon, adding a unique twist to their shared story of resilience and brotherhood.
Childhood Adventures and Sibling Rivalry
Growing up in a three-bed council house on the outskirts of Luton, Jason and Mathieu were inseparable outdoorsy kids who loved sports but struggled academically. Jason recalls, "We were pretty inseparable, but he always went much further when it came to doing naughty stuff." Their antics included climbing a tree in their grandparents' garden, where Mathieu once fell out, and testing their parents' boundaries with frequent fights. Jason admits, "I pushed him through a school window once, but he picked himself up, dusted himself down, and pissed himself laughing." Their father, a former Marine, enforced discipline, but the fighting phase ended when Jason left home at 16 to join the Marines after failing his GCSEs.
Military Service and Family Bonds
Inspired by their father's stories and training in map-reading and knot-tying during holidays in Scotland and Cornwall, both brothers pursued military careers. Jason joined the Special Forces in 2001, shortly before 9/11, leading to years of deployments where they'd briefly cross paths on aircraft. "Never once did I worry about him, and I doubt he worried about me," Jason says, reflecting on the strain it placed on their parents, especially their mother. Mathieu followed in his footsteps, bonding over shared experiences. Jason notes, "The Marines taught me to have confidence in dangerous environments, nurturing rather than throwing you in at the deep end."
Challenges of Transition and PTSD
After leaving the military due to PTSD, Jason faced the real challenge of reintegrating into normal life. "The transition back to 'normal' life was harder than the severity of military experiences," he explains. Constant cortisol spikes from tours led to difficulties at home, including arguments, financial struggles, and a divorce. Opening up about his feelings became a turning point. Mathieu echoes this, sharing how adjusting from Afghanistan to domestic disputes over hair straighteners was tough, but having Jason's understanding helped. "What the military does to your brain isn't normal, but we were trained both physically and mentally," Mathieu adds.
TV Career and Lasting Brotherhood
In 2015, Jason embarked on an unexpected TV career, finding joy in shows like SAS: Who Dares Wins. He highlights surprising contestants like Gareth Gates and Bobby Norris, who defied expectations. Despite living apart—Jason in London and Mathieu in Devon—they maintain a strong connection. "We still connect like we did as kids," Jason says, recalling a recent stomp around Dartmoor where they lived off the land, minus the fighting or tree falls. Mathieu describes Jason as a "gentle giant" off-duty, emphasizing their mutual respect and closeness forged through shared trials.
