Joining me live on London Real today is a guest I’ve been keen to get in the hot seat for some time now, not least because he’s a man who is absolutely leading the way in his industry and challenging himself on a daily basis to continue reaching even greater heights.
James Smith is a personal trainer, two times best-selling author and one of the biggest names in the fitness industry. His rapid rise to prominence continues unabated thanks in large part to his no-nonsense approach and uncompromising honesty that has helped thousands of people across the planet achieve their dietary and fitness goals.
James’ previous life was a million miles from the one he now enjoys. Born and bred in the UK, James has actually called Australia home for a number of years now, where the months of sunshine and daily swims in the sea offer the kind of lifestyle James had always dreamed of.
It was whilst working his way up the corporate ladder, ticking boxes and praying for the weekend, that he took the plunge and made a huge change in his life.
James’ initial goal was to do a job where he could wear shorts to work every day and make enough money to cover costs, and as a result his work-life balance would improve immeasurably. James took the plunge and became a personal trainer at a time when the wellness industry was experiencing a boom.
What separated James from many of his peers was that he had tried every diet plan under the sun and what he’d come to realise was actually quite straightforward – if you consume more calories than you’re using, you’ll gain weight! James started writing blogs and posting videos online, and after a couple of years of daily posts, his popularity skyrocketed.
Rather than the latest fad hack, superfood, or niche regime, James took things back to basics, stripping back all of the nonsense and discouraging expensive fitness regimes and gym memberships in favour of simple plans tailored to his growing list of clients.
Since then, it’s been a rapid rise for James as he worked tirelessly to get his message out there. He didn’t hold back when it comes to the virtues, or lack thereof, of the latest fitness trend. James’ often foul mouthed tirades and straight talking was exactly the kind of guidance many of those looking to lose weight and get in shape needed.
Today, James is the author of two bestselling books, Not A Diet Book and Not A Life Coach, both of which reached the number one spot on the Sunday Times’ Bestseller List. He has over 1 million followers on Instagram and his latest book, How To Be Confident looks set to follow suit as James breaks down the tools required to help us all master our true ambitions and realise our strengths in a world that is all too often filled with negativity.
It was Michael Jordan who once said,
¨Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.¨
James has certainly made it happen. He transformed his own life and now he’s helping others do the same. He lives life on his terms and his straightforward approach and oftentimes brutal honesty is a refreshing antidote to the too-often superficial world of health and fitness.
“Being healthy and in shape doesn’t have to mean being miserable.”
James is an incredibly passionate guy, so much so that it’s infectious. He works tirelessly to educate people about the toxic myths within diet culture and is completely committed to helping people reach their goals and make a positive and lasting change.
