James Brayshaw finds balance after quitting hectic jobs

FORMER host of The Footy Show James Brayshaw says he had to find balance as his personal life started to “fall between the cracks”.

James Brayshaw with his girlfriend, Lisa Christie. Picture: Instagram.

FORMER The Footy Show host James Brayshaw says he took personal time when a busy work schedule saw parts of his life “fall between the cracks”.

Speaking candidly about his private life, Brayshaw admits he was getting the work-life balance wrong.

Brayshaw says his exit from the long-running Channel 9 show at the end of 2016 was more about time than money.

James Brayshaw, right, with Mark Howard and Isa Guha. Part of Triple M’s Ashes cricket coverage. Picture: Triple M

“When you are screaming from one meeting to another for a decade, a lot of things fall between the cracks,” Brayshaw said.

“So it has really been a great year of making sure the kids are in the right spot and looked after, and you’re just a better person.

“I have just turned 50, so it is probably about the right time to do that.”

The father of four had radio, TV and the presidency of the North Melbourne Football Club running in tandem, leaving little room for down time.

“It was a long haul; also (I was) trying to be a dad,” he said. “I think the balance, I got that wrong a bit, so the end of ’16 was the right time to move away from a couple of those things.

“I loved them all. I loved doing The Footy Show, it was gold, but 11 years was enough. The footy club was brilliant, but I had come to the end of my third term, which was the right time to leave, and, constitutionally, I had to leave anyway.

“I had a bit to sort out, but (this year) has given me some nice time and headspace to do that.”

James Brayshaw with girlfriend Lisa Christie on holiday. Picture: Instagram.

Radio has been a constant for Brayshaw. He is a year into a six-year deal with Triple M, including his key role in the network’s Ashes coverage.

“It (Test cricket) is a five-day game, it is a long time, and I always say if you take broadcasting cricket too seriously, you run the risk of very quickly becoming boring.”

Brayshaw admits he is not yet done with TV.

“I needed to have a break from it, but if the right thing comes up …”

And the right thing could well be an AFL commentary role with Channel 7 next year, with TV sources confirming discussions have taken place.

Brayshaw, however, would not be drawn on his 2018 plans.

“Nothing is locked in at the moment other than Triple M footy. I am confident something will come up that will be good fun to do,” he said.

“Doing the right jobs with the right people is always the most important thing for me. That is far more important than working just for the sake of working.”

He admits he is a happy person after a less involved 2017.

“Yes, much, and I needed to get happier too,” he said.

“So it is good, (I’m) in a better place, working with great people, doing cricket and footy, which are games I love, so I am very fortunate.”