Jordan Brown hit the lowest point of his career last year and considered quitting snooker entirely, before making a phone call which he feels has turned everything around.
The 37-year-old struggled for results all last season, falling early in almost every event and the disappointments began to affect him off the table, more so than ever before in his career.
The Northern Irishman was struggling for form and confidence so much around Christmas time last year that he felt his future may lie away from snooker.
‘Last season was by far the worst I’ve ever experienced,’ Brown told Metro. ‘I went through a very difficult time on and off the table, because it does affect your mental health, your mental well-being.
‘You’re questioning your future in the game, because I had so many bad performances last year, so many bad results, I don’t think I got past the second round, and it’s hard to take.
‘It drains your confidence big time, you feel like you can’t buy a result, it’s very hard to describe, you just feel like you can’t play the game anymore.
It even got to the stage last season where I was even playing bad in practise and I just had a bit of a mental breakdown around Christmas time.
‘Honestly I considered not carrying on, getting a job, because things got that bad. I get a bit emotional talking about it now, but that’s what the game can do to you. Bad result after bad result, it takes a toll on you.’
It is not just the disappointment of losing games of snooker that gets to players, but clearly professionals are relying on wins to earn money and a bad run can cause great financial stress as well.
‘It was an extreme low, the lowest point of my career, it takes a toll on your mental health, and there’s only so much you can take,’ Brown said.
‘When you’re not winning, you’re not earning enough money to cover bills, and to cover expenses, and you’re having to rely on family it’s not a nice position to be in.
‘Thankfully I’ve got a good family around me, I’ve got good friends around me, who have helped me through the difficult times. Hopefully I can turn things around.’
After struggling through to the end of last season the former Welsh Open champion decided he needed a fresh approach and outlook, so called in some help.
Fergal O’Brien only retired from playing last year but is quickly earning a reputation in the coaching world and as a great man to have in your corner, as evidenced by fellow Irishman Aaron Hill who has signed him up and is reaping the benefits.
Brown has now done the same as one of his practice partners in Antrim and says he is quickly enjoying a more positive mindset as a result.
‘I made the phone call to Fergal, I just had to do something to change things up, I was prepared to do anything,’ he said.
‘I felt like I was just doing the same things all the time. I needed a change in my structure and a change in mentality,because I didn’t really have a good attitude. I soon found out when I first started working with Fergal.
‘I took a little bit of inspiration from how well Aaron was doing in the later part of last season. He nearly reached the Crucible, got to the quarters of Germany.
‘I’m just thinking, if it can work for Aaron, it could work for me and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.’
A former top 16 player, ranking event winner and Masters finalist, O’Brien can help with the technical side, but Brown says his input has most keenly been felt in his head.
‘It’s mainly the mental side, because obviously Fergal’s got bags of experience, 30-odd years of being there on tour, he’s bought the T-shirt,’ said Brown.
‘It’s just a different way of thinking out there. Rather than have a negative attitude. I just needed to change a few things up, and already I can see the benefits.
‘We’re on the right track now and there are bigger and better things to come. It’s early doors, but I can see the progress.’