Muscle Fitness Muscle & Fitness UK - April 2018 | Page 26

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James met wife Samantha, 31, just
before his life changed, and they went
on to get married in 2013. He says
support from both her and his friends
and family have helped him to pull
through and live an inspirational life.
“I’m not going to lie, I do often hold
back and miss out on social things like
stag parties and special birthdays, “ he
admits. “But for the most part, I have
adapted my life to be able to train, eat,
and enjoy life just like I did before
dystonia hit me. The hardest thing for
me is not having the financial freedom
I used to enjoy, and having to rely on
my wife to pay for holidays and leisure
time. Samantha is my true saviour and
allows me the freedom to keep living
and experiencing life without having
to miss out completely. James and
Samantha have enjoyed trips to Dubai,
Marbella and Ibiza in recent years.
“I love to travel and experience
different cultures,” says James. “I think
travel is one of life’s greatest gifts, it
offers us freedom and I am truly lucky
that my wife also shares the same
passion. Without it I’d feel pretty
trapped, it’s my escape.”
Perhaps the most impressive thing
about James though, is the way in
which he has transformed himself into
a successful personal trainer with
a focus on helping others.
“I qualified to become a PT two
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MUSCLE & FITNESS / APRIL 2018
years ago and I train people with
various problems and disabilities,” he
explains. “I help people with a varying
degree of problems, from physical to
mental, autism to mobility issues. I
have clients suffering from depression
and Parkinson’s, as well as those
recovering from cancer and struggling
with breathing issues,” James reveals.
“I work as much as possible. I’m very
stubborn in that sense. I was a
plumber and heating engineer before
the dystonia took hold, so I have a very