Jalal Farhead interview for SAS: Who Dares Wins

7 October 2015

What is your job in normal life?

I am a “European Trading Systems Support Analyst”, manager and VP, for a US Investment Firm in the City… high pressure work on the trading floor, lots of screens to look at, lots of code, lots of shouting, and unfortunately many hours of sitting to accompany it…

 

Why did you want to take part in such a gruelling ordeal?

The ultimate challenge really. Anyone can sign up to a marathon, Ironman, Everest climb, skydive, but for this, you need to get selected, and once selected, you have to abide by their rules, work to their pace, and be there as long as they tell you to. There are no pre-set limits. Plus you can’t sign up for an interrogation anywhere else!

 

What did you expect from the experience?

I expected to be pushed to breaking point, and I expected to be man enough to keep going, physically and mentally

 

Was it what you expected?

It was at least as difficult as I expected, and I expected it to be very tough!

 

What was harder, the physical or the psychological aspects?

The physical aspects were harder than I prepared for. Psychologically, I still don’t understand what the fuss is all about. I was disappointed I was not physically as strong as I was mentally.

 

What was the hardest aspect of the whole experience?

Working at the DS’s pace is the hard bit, they’re something else.

 

What was your highest point?

My highest point was being there, the whole thing, even when shattered and broken into tears, I’d do it all over again if given the chance.

 

Did you bond with your fellow recruits?

Such a strong bond. The guys I didn’t get to speak to on the show, I speak to more now back in the civvy world.

 

How did you feel towards your instructors?

They’re legends, full stop. As soon as they stepped into the barracks you knew they were the real deal. It’s mind blowing we have these “machines” serving our country at the highest military level and behind enemy lines, who can switch back to “human” when back home.

 

Did you spend any time thinking about what else you could have been doing with your holiday?

Never. It was not holiday for me, as far as I was concerned, I was serving my country, doing my duty.

 

What – if anything – have you learned about yourself?

I realised that best way to avoid the disappointment of failure is to stop failing, so now I work harder than ever. I’m also more grateful for what I have and what I achieve in the process.

 

Has the whole experience changed you?

I don’t know for sure. I’m a further-enlightened version of the old me.

 

Would you want to join the army – or even the SAS – given the opportunity?

I’ve always wanted to, but that ship has sailed, I’m 33 now which is biologically (and generally) a downhill slope. It makes me a liability rather than an asset. But if they really need me, then I’m a size large T-shirt and 33 trousers and on one month’s notice.

 

SAS: Who Dares Wins starts on Monday 19th October at 9pm on Channel 4