Married At First Sight’s Jake Edwards has stepped down from the position of CEO at his mental health charity Outside The Locker Room.
The 33-year-old shared the news to his Instagram on Thursday, alongside a gallery of pictures of himself working at the organisation.
‘Six years ago, following the toughest period of my life, Outside the Locker Room was born through a desire to help others struggling with their mental health…’ he began the heartfelt announcement.
It’s over! After six years as the CEO of his mental health charity Outside The Locker Room, Married At First Sight ‘s Jake Edwards announced on Thursday that he had stepped down from his position.
‘Over that time I put together a program to educate and support young people which has now been delivered to over 400 sporting clubs and schools across Australia,’ he added.
Jake went on to write that his time at the charity allowed him to ‘connect’ with others and tell his story in a bid to inspire them.
‘It’s been a privilege I will be forever grateful for,’ he added.
As he concluded, Jake revealed that OTLR had come to the stage where it needed ‘to find new leadership, with fresh and exciting ideas to take it into the future’.
Grateful: ‘It’s been a privilege I will be forever grateful for,’ he added
Jake’s announcement comes after the former AFL player had a three-week stint at a wellness retreat.
Earlier this month, he thanked fans for their support during the trying time and beyond.
‘Thanks for all the support and lovely messages everyone. Not just now but over the last five weeks,’ Jake wrote on Instagram.
Support: Earlier this month, Jake Edwards (pictured) thanked fans for their ‘support and lovely messages’ following his stint at a wellness retreat
Thankful: The 33-year-old posted a picture of himself flashing a peace sign and wrote: ‘Thanks for all the support and lovely messages everyone. Not just now but over the last five weeks’
It comes after Jake shared an emotional video with fans from a wellness retreat, after stepping away from the limelight following his very public split from Sophie Guidolin in May.
In the footage posted to Instagram, Jake said that asking for help ‘probably saved his life’, before cryptically discussing some of the ‘choices he’s made’ which he says have ‘impacted me and the people I love’.
‘Some of you might have noticed that recently I’ve been spending some time away,’ he began.
Speaking out: It comes after Jake shared an emotional video with fans from a wellness retreat
‘Through no fault but my own, the last two months have been extremely difficult. I’ve made some choices in my life that has impacted me personally, but also impacted people that I love and care about.
‘My mental health got to a point that I needed to step away, and that’s what I did.’
At the time, Jake’s management confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the reality star wasn’t in rehab, but instead took time away in a wellness retreat.
By definition, a wellness retreat promotes health and wellbeing through physical, psychological and spiritual activities to reflect on life in private surroundings.
Breaking his silence: ‘Through no fault but my own, the last two months have been extremely difficult. I’ve made some choices in my life that has impacted me personally, but also impacted people that I love and care about,’ Jake said
Jake described the experience as both ‘confronting and challenging’.
‘One of the toughest things in life is to put your hand up and admit that you need help, and I was fortunate enough to be able to come away to a place like this with the full support of my family and friends,’ he continued.
‘As hard and as challenging as it’s been, and confronting with many tears on the way, it’s changed my life and probably saved my life as well.’
He concluded by saying he’s now found ‘some answers which has been really important’, and looks forward to sharing the positive changes with fans in future.
‘For anyone who has sent messages, it really, really means a lot. To my family and friends I love you all so, so much and I’ll be seeing you all again very soon,’ he said.
He made no direct mention of his public split from Sophie, 32, which the pair announced on May 14.
Over: It was announced on May 14 that Jake and his girlfriend Sophie Guidolin had ended their short-lived romance. Pictured in happier times