Saturday with Jake Carter: I usually go to the gym for about two hours

Left: Jake Carter, Singer with his dog Lenny pictured at the launch of Breast Cancer Ireland's Very Pink Run. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan. Right: Jake Carter and Karen Byrne pictured at the Platinum VIP Style Awards 2022. Picture: Brian McEvoy.

09.00

Depending on whether I’ve been gigging and traveling back the night before I’d usually be up at around 9am at the latest.

I’m always following a gym plan, so I’ll get up and eat turkey bacon, eggs, and a bagel before taking Lenny our cavapoo for a walk. Normally we head into Lucan village for a coffee in Babble and a wander.

10.00

We’ll head straight to the Jake and Karen stage school. We’ve kids from the age of three or four right up to 15 and 16.

Growing up, I was always into the arts and then found a career in it. When I met Karen, who had already been dancing and teaching for years, it made sense that we’d open our own stage school to give back and create a place where kids can come to escape the real world for a few hours on a Saturday.

I particularly love when we have a child who might be very shy and then after a few weeks of classes, they are like a different person — it’s a great way for kids to build confidence. In this day and age, it’s a great way for kids to get active, get off the internet and to make friends too.

13.00

I usually go to the gym for about two hours. Over the past five or six years exercise has become a big part of my life, and I try to go to the gym four or five times a week.

It’s good for physical health but also mentally it’s good — you feel a lot better after exercising. I’m really looking forward to the Very Pink Run.

Myself and Karen didn’t have to think twice about being ambassadors when we were asked. There’s such a great atmosphere around the event and we are really happy to be able to do something for such a great cause.

Karen Byrne, Dancing with the Stars Judge, and fiancee Jake Carter, Singer. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

15.30

If I’m not gigging myself, I’m on the road with my brother Nathan. Depending on where the gig is, it could involve a drive or a flight away. I like to listen to podcasts when I’m on the road. One of my favourites is Have a Word. It is hosted by a couple of Scouse comedians — it’s a connection to home.

17.00

Whether it’s myself or Nathan performing, it’s a similar set up. We usually have a sound check and then you usually have a bit of a window in which to get food or a coffee, have a bit of a wander or chat to the lads in the band. There are not many places in Ireland I haven’t been to at this stage, but it’s always great when you do discover a new place.

20.00

It’s usually stage time around 8pm. I have my own band under my own name for when we’re doing original shows, and I’ve also devised a show called Let it Be which is based around the music of The Beatles.

We did a number of dates in May which were hugely successful, so we’ve more dates coming up from October.

You might think that there are lower stakes performing someone else’s songs but in fact a lot of the people coming to the show are die-hard Beatles fans. It’s a different type of pressure.

It’s not a tribute act; we’re not pretending to be The Beatles, it’s our take on the music. Growing up in Liverpool I lived around the corner from major Beatles landmarks... I grew up two minutes’ walk from Penny Lane for example, so that song is very nostalgic to me.

Whether you’re singing songs, you’ve written yourself or whether you’re covering songs that you love, performing live on stage is one of the best feelings that you can get as a musician.

22.00

We usually do meet-and-greets after our shows — go out into the crowd, thank people for coming to the show, see what people thought of the performance.

23.00

We’ll get back in the car and hit the road for home or for a local hotel if we are playing far from home. If I’m not gigging, myself and Karen enjoy going out for a meal. I love a good steak — my favourite in Dublin has to be in Marco Pierre White on Dawson Street.

We might go to a gig or a comedy night, especially in the summer when there’s lots going on. I’ll sleep well and the sleep will last long into the hours of Sunday morning.

Hazel Chu, Politician and breast cancer survivor, Terrie McEvoy, lifestyle influencer and husband David Fitzpatrick (Pink Afro), Elaine Crowley, Virgin Media Presenter, Jennifer Wrynne, Milliner and breast cancer survivor, Karen Byrne, DWTS Judge and Jake Carter with their dog Lenny and Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland at the launch of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

Jake Carter is an ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run. The Cork event takes place MTU in Cork next Sunday, September 6, with 5k and 10k course options. All funds raised will support Breast Cancer Ireland’s pioneering research into metastatic disease progression and awareness programmes nationally.

• Register at verypinkrun.ie.