BUDAPEST, Hungary — Shericka Jackson, the fastest woman alive over the 200m and who is seeking to win back-to-back World Athletics Championships titles, says she is still evolving as a person and as an athlete, one who has faced mental health issues that she is coming to grips with.

A smiling, relaxed-looking Jackson opened up to journalists at a press conference held in Budapest on Thursday in what felt like a catharsis of sorts as she spoke of how she “has simmered down” from someone who, in her own words, “was not very approachable”.

“I’m definitely [evolving],” she said in response to a question from the Jamaica Observer.

“I think back in the day Shericka, I was not approachable, now I am more simmer down [a lot calmer] and I understand like I have different personality and a lot of persons never get to see me, the real me, the real Shericka, but now I really enjoy being Shericka,” she explained.

Flash back a year to the World Championships when Jackson lashed out at a journalist who asked her opinion on the 200m World Record held by American Florence Griffiths-Joyner.

On Thursday, Jackson spoke of her journey to what could make her the new world record holder.

“So definitely, you know, back then I was Shericka, but now I am a little more relaxed and I’m enjoying it and I’m a little more approachable.

She added, “Just by [my] surroundings, my friends, and the happiness they bring to my life, I think that’s what’s shaping me [into] be a better person.”

The 29 year-old Jackson admitted that greater focus on her mental well-being has paid off big time.

“I think I pay more attention to that than I actually pay more attention to my physical aspects. I think once I am mentally okay, I am capable of anything, it makes me happy, I’m a little more focused and I enjoy the sport a lot more.”

The Paul Francis-coached athlete added, “You know, I’m big on mental health. I’m not afraid to say that I struggle mentally a lot and daily I write, I write how I feel daily to know my triggers. So, therefore, when I write my triggers, I say, ‘Okay, then I’ll try to correct them to have a better training session.’

“I’ll be able to… communicate more, you know, and I think that’s one of the biggest thing for me, keeping my mental intact.”

Jackson, who has said in the past she writes down her goals in a book, explained that she is writing down more than just numbers.

“I write numbers, I write how I feel, I write everything. So if I feel like I’m not okay today, and because I think I have more emotional triggers, so, therefore, I will write like, ‘Okay, today I am feeling like my head is hurting,’ and I have to try to figure out why why my head hurts. And so I write everything, I have to like, basically I document how I feel daily to know that by the time of the championships I will be okay.

“You will see me smiling when I’m there, I will be dancing and everything. So I document everything and not just write times… I write like my triggers and what keeps me intact,” she said.