Meet the Team

Reality Check Founder Jay Cooper observing a training session in a gym environment focused on practical skills

Founder

Jay Cooper

Jay Cooper is the founder of Reality Check Academy and creator of the Reality Check framework—a principle-based system designed to improve decision-making under pressure.

With a background in law enforcement and protective services, Jay has worked in environments where clarity, accountability, and performance are not optional. His work focuses on bridging the gap between training and reality, developing the ability to think, communicate, and act effectively in complex, high-stakes situations.

His extensive background in martial arts and combative training informs the practical and behavioural aspects of this approach.

Simon Sheridan a Reality Check Instructor delivering training on practical capability and decision-making under pressure

simon sheridan

European Director & Corporate Training Lead

Simon Sheridan, known as “Bulldog,” is the UK and Europe Director for Reality Check Academy and has been an instructor under Jay Cooper since his HAVOC University days.

Based in the UK, Simon delivers Reality Check training across the region, bringing a direct, no-nonsense approach to developing practical capability under pressure. He specialises in applying the Reality Check framework within corporate environments, focusing on communication, decision-making, and performance in high-stakes situations.