WHETHER he is swimming with sharks or getting a thrill on horseback, Andrew Bartlett likes an adrenalin rush.

But the former jump jockey, who lives in Darlington, has turned his attention to technology in a bid to get his latest kick.

Andrew grew up riding thanks to his parents, but despite describing the experience as two-and-a-half years of fun, he realised long term it wasn’t for him.

“The money was good. The lifestyle was good. But there was lots of commitment needed, and as I got older, I started experiencing new things.

“I asked myself the question is this what I want to do, and no was the answer.”

So he began looking for something “fresh”.

“I lived in Leeds for a while with nothing to do and no one to talk too so I bought myself a laptop and started teaching myself coding from YouTube videos."

Andrew has recently launched a new social app called RoarApp, and he explains how the idea came about.

“I realised when you are visiting different areas, you don’t really know where the best places to go out are.

“In the racing scene, people liked to go out and party. I would visit friends at university and they would all know the best places, and I didn’t l know where I was going."

The app links to Google Maps to show every bar, club and restaurant in the world. It allows users to create and share plans with friends, get event and discount notification from their favourite venues and even shows the male to female ratio in a club.

“Its purpose is to help users save money and time when finding where to go. I was going round spending money in restaurants I didn’t like or clubs with no one in, so we’ve created something that helps you follow the atmosphere around town.

“It lets people see what the atmosphere is like, whether they are looking for a quiet bar or a busy night.

“My friends have been very supportive. I haven’t heard a bad word about it. Everyone I have spoken too have said what an idea it is.”

Andrew’s entrepreneurial ventures began long before RoarApp.

“I used to sell what I could at school. I’ve always been one to try and make money. I had a tuck shop and I would walk to town every night and stock up on chocolate and sweets for the next day.

“I left school because I couldn’t deal with being in a classroom. I had to be outside and that is why I did racing.

“I had no idea I was going to create an app. As a 16 year old, I had no idea what was out there to pursue.”

Like so many others, he does not agree that students receive enough encouragement to go down the entrepreneurial route at a young age.

“I feel schools have maybe lost their way a bit – in terms of seeing features in a person and developing those set of skills for that individual. It is very much a case of lets get you to university regardless.

“Racing taught me so much. It made me grow up a lot quicker than most people my age, because I was working with men for the age for 16.

“I wouldn’t change anything from those years.”

One thing Andrew picked up from his racing days to take into the world of business was confidence. He recalls a moment before one of his races.

“”I was in the changing room and there was a jockey who had previously ridden this horse and he was trying to tell me how to ride it and I was like, dude, I’m riding it today, I’ll see you at the finish the line.”

The racing scene also taught him determination and a will to succeed.

“I left school weighing 11 stone. For my first ride I had to weigh nine and a half. I had three weeks to lose that weight, so for that time, I ate nothing.

“I had a cup of tea before going out to ride and I put 10 sugars in it just so I would have some energy. My legs were shaking, I couldn’t get in the saddle.

“When people watch racing, they don’t see what is really behind it. They just see a lad or a girl racing and winning. There is so much dedication that jockeys put into it that is unrecognised.

“Dedication goes a long way – all these people are at the top because they want to be at the top.”

Andrew will hope his dedication to his app will make it a roaring success.

Five minutes with Andrew Bartlett…..

Favourite North-East building and why?

Barnard Castle - went to school and grew up around that area.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?

Alan Swinbank racing - as an amateur jockey riding out 6/7 days a week on about £7 an hour to start with.

What is the worst job you've had?

Never had a bad job.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner?

Probably steak and chips, not really one for cooking though - or we could get an Indian take out?, would probably be safer.

What would your superpower be?

I have been diving with sharks in the Caribbean without cages, I’ve gone fast over land and jumps racing horses - so the next best thrill would probably be having the ability to fly?

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party.

Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Nikola Tesla, and probably Prince Harry because he definitely has good craic.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much?

I bought a jacket and spent my first ever week’s pay check on it.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

Not too sure - I don’t really do the whole twitter scene.

Favourite book?

How to get rich by Felix Dennis - it’s a must read, as its probably one of the only books I’ve ever completed.

What is your greatest achievement?

Winning my first under rules race at Southwell on a horse named Call Me Muligan, i think i was on 20/1 odds. Also of course the release of Roarapp was a very powerful day of achievements.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given?

From being a little boy and conversations I had with my father, I realised that the way to make money was by creating something affordable, that everybody will want to buy or be apart off. So small items that can be bought in high volumes.

Favourite animal and why.

Horses - the values they teach you, abilities gained from being able to master an animal with its own senses and abilities, to then be able to work together as a team - those values and abilities learnt are pretty priceless.

Most famous person on your mobile phone Tom Houghton, from the Noise Next Door a group of comedians, which we are currently working with to create an advert video for RoarApp, and Karen Dixon who is an Olympic Event Rider.

What was the last band you saw live?

Coldplay - Sunderland, it was incredible.

Describe your perfect night in.

I’m turning 20 years old, use your imagination.

In another life I would be...

I wouldn't change a thing.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

I would like to think Ed Westwick would play me, his dress sense and seriousness is brilliant.

What irritates you? When things don’t work out my way.

What's your secret talent?

Having empathy for people and being able to communicate effectively