The Jim's Gym Podcast - Inspiring Movement

This week I'm joined by Virginia Walker, Jim's Gym's resident yoga instructor, and this one goes far deeper than you might expect. Virginia is a 500-hour trained yoga teacher, a birth doula and a Reiki practitioner. We talk about what yoga actually is, why flexibility is probably the least important thing about it, and how the philosophy behind the practice can change the way you li...

It's the conversation most of us avoid. This episode might just change your mind about that. Jim sits down with Jane Diamond, a death doula and funeral director based in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Jane runs Family Tree Funeral Company and has spent years helping people and families navigate the end of life with dignity and openness. She's also a Jim's Gym member. This isn't a hea...

So many people say they've always wanted to try tai chi. This episode is your sign to finally do it. Jim sits down with Andy Yau, Jim's Gym's tai chi instructor, who grew up in Hong Kong where a passion for martial arts took hold at a young age. In his 20s he discovered tai chi and it changed everything. These days he brings all of that experience to the Jim's Gym community eve...

What happens when an 82-year-old retired prison chaplain decides to start strength training for the very first time? In this inspiring episode of Inspiring Movement, Jim sits down with Vernon Lidstone, who began his fitness journey at the age of 70 and is now competing in powerlifting competitions in his 80s. Recently, Vernon completed “The Chaplain’s Challenge”, lifting a combined total of 200kg...

What should you actually be eating as you get older? Not the latest trend. Not the stuff your friend read about online. The real, evidence-based answer from someone who genuinely knows. In this first episode of the new series of Inspiring Movement, Jim sits down with Ian Thomas, Jim's Gym's Resident Registered Dietitian, who leads the monthly Healthy Habits Club nutrition sessions for me...

What does it mean to turn personal loss into lasting impact? In this episode of Inspiring Movement , Jim sits down with Julie Kent MBE , the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire , to talk about grief, purpose, and the power of giving back. Julie shares her journey — from music and education to launching Emily’s Gift and raising £500,000 for children’s mental health. They also chat about the High Sherif...

You’ve probably seen the headlines: weight-loss jabs like Mounjaro are now being prescribed on the NHS. But what does that actually mean—and where does exercise still fit into the picture? In this episode of Inspiring Movement , Jim chats with Lay Lim , a pharmacist specialising in weight management, to unpack the facts behind the hype. They explore how medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic work,...

Ever feel like you're constantly losing your keys, struggling to get going, or running on "all or nothing" energy? This episode of Inspiring Movement takes a closer look at why that might be. Jim chats with Nathalina Harrison – a confidence and ADHD coach – about how ADHD shows up in adults, especially later in life. They unpack how dopamine affects motivation, what emotional dysreg...

In this episode of Inspiring Movement , I’m joined by Brett Jenkins, Wellbeing Development Manager at Anchor—the UK’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people.  We explore what real wellbeing looks like in later life, from building a sense of purpose to embracing community and using tech to prevent falls.  Brett shares how Anchor supports over 65,000 residents with pers...

Dr Mark Porter joins James to kick off Series 2 of the Inspiring Movement podcast. With nearly 40 years in the NHS and a long career in medical broadcasting, Mark talks candidly about what’s really holding people back from staying well as they age. They cover: Why we lose strength faster than we think What most people get wrong about exercise The dangers of doing nothing How to support people who...

Today, I am joined by Tom Cledwyn, the Managing Director of Infectious Generosity, a remarkable project and book by Chris Anderson, the founder of TED.  Tom has built a career around the concept of kindness and has been part of many incredible stories, witnessing countless acts of wonderful generosity along the way. In this episode, we’ll delve into Tom’s journey and explore how acts of kindness c...

In today’s episode of Inspiring Movement. I'm joined by Dr Hugo De La Peña, a renowned cancer consultant and researcher. Dr De La Peña, a graduate of the prestigious universities of London, Cambridge, and Oxford, has spearheaded groundbreaking clinical trials in the UK and contributed significantly to cancer gene therapy in Latin America. He holds a PhD in Cancer Genetics and Tumour Immunolog...

I’m super excited to share today’s conversation with a guest whose life journey is as fascinating as it is inspiring. From her early days at the BBC, she became the first newsreader on Breakfast Television at its inception. Through her time raising two children and taking a step behind the camera, producing events for both corporate companies and charities internationally.  But that's not all...

Today, I'm incredibly excited to introduce my second guest, Ros Marshall, OBE – a remarkable businesswoman, cherished client, and friend. Ros stands out not only for her leadership role as Managing Director of Bright Horizons, a childcare and early education leader, but also for her contribution to the British Council and the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. Her outstandin...

I am so excited to share with you my first ever guest on the Jim’s Gym - Inspiring Movement podcast as the incredible Paralympic GOLD medalist Judo Champion, @christopher.skelley MBE PLY. It was an absolute honour speaking to him and hearing his incredible story. He is a wonderful man. I’m so excited to share it with you all! 🎙️  Diagnosed with a rare form of albinism at 19, Chris faced unimaginab...