This week on The Set Peace Podcast, we’re joined by Tashan Jordan, a West London–raised footballer whose journey through the game tells a powerful story of resilience, identity, and mental strength.

Tashan’s football journey began early, coming through the youth system at QPR from age 11 to 18, where he experienced the highs of academy football and the difficult reality of release. a moment that changed everything. Being let go forced him to step away from the environment he had known for years, leaving him searching for direction while trying to hold on to his love for the game.

After his release, Tashan spent time out of football before grafting his way back into it while working jobs to support himself, including stewarding at stadiums. His journey continued through clubs such as Wealdstone, AFC Hayes, Hillingdon Borough, Chipstead, and Harefield, each chapter bringing its own lessons, pressures, and challenges.

Behind the scenes, though, Tashan was facing battles few people saw. During his playing years, he struggled with depression while still trying to perform on the pitch,something he kept hidden from most people around him. Only a small circle of friends knew what he was going through, and even his family were unaware at the time. It’s only now, looking back, that he’s been able to fully understand and process what he was dealing with.

In this honest and moving episode, Tashan opens up about that period of his life, how football both challenged and saved him, and how he’s come full circle rediscovering purpose through writing, personal growth, and even running a marathon.

Today, he works for Transport for London, advocates for mental health awareness, and is preparing to step back into football through coaching, using his experiences to support others navigating similar struggles.

This episode is a powerful reminder that football journeys don’t always follow the path we expect, and that sometimes the biggest victories happen away from the pitch. It’s a story about resilience, reflection, and how the love of the game can help reshape perspective, purpose, and self-belief.

The set peace podcast is about more than football it’s about the people behind it.

Every 2 weeks, we sit down with guests across the game from pros to physios, coaches to players, these are the conversations we all need to hear, in football and in life.

With 45 minutes talking football and 45 minutes on mental health and well-being these conversations are for everyone whether you’re in football or not.

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