By: Sonam Sherpa
What a privilege it was to meet Jack Simpson, World Barista Champion 2026.
I had the opportunity to spend a few moments speaking with him, and the insights he shared were deeply grounding and inspiring. Here are a few lessons that stayed with me:
- 1. Discipline gives dreams direction
We all have dreams, but without discipline, they remain ideas. True progress happens when dreams are supported by consistent, focused discipline.
- 2. Compete with purpose
Competition is not just about winning. It’s about why you compete. Having a clear purpose—whatever that may be—becomes the fuel that pushes you through long and demanding training days.
- 3. Comeback mentality
Imagine reaching the World Barista Championship, finishing as first runner-up, and missing the title by just one point. Instead of stopping, he reset everything and started again from zero—only to return and make it happen the very next time.
- 4. Building confidence through repetition
Presenting in front of a crowd is never easy. Confidence is built by practice—presenting again and again in front of friends and colleagues until it becomes second nature.
- 5. It’s okay to make mistakes
Mistakes are part of the process. No one is perfect, and growth comes from accepting that reality.
I asked him a question that had been on my mind ever since he became World Barista Champion 2026:
What was going through your mind when third place was announced, and only two of you remained—just one step away from the title?
His answer was calm, grounded, and incredibly real:
“I was actually preparing myself to accept any result
