James' Story | Fitness First

From a chance to career purpose

For James, a passion that started by pure chance became a lifelong pursuit.

As a young man, he simply accompanied a friend to college, only to be steered into an unpopular Sport & Exercise Science course. Right from the first class, he was hooked, diving deep into the world of fitness. That initial spark led him to the gym, then to an unpaid role at Fitness First Victoria (thanks to a friendly word from his uncle!), and eventually, into a dream job as a Personal Trainer. He’s been with Fitness First ever since, making him a true veteran and a pillar of the community, now at Marylebone.

But James is more than a veteran, he is a specialist. Driven by a love for niche, engaging movement, he’s become a pioneer of Rope Flow, a captivating, full-body workout that brings fun and focus back into training. When he introduced his client Lana to it, her entire relationship with the gym changed. She went from dreading sessions to messaging James the night before, excited for her workout. Rope Flow was the enjoyment she needed to build massive consistency.

For James, real success is about creating that lasting enjoyment. It's watching clients, who come in for general health, eventually smash a sub-4-hour marathon goal.

'It’s about creating a mindset where you wake up feeling amazing, strong, and excited to work on your skills.'

From a lucky turn of events to becoming an expert who turns a simple rope into a source of confidence and progress, James’s story proves that progress is built on finding what you love, committing to the process, and choosing to show up, bit by bit, one step at a time.

At Fitness First, we believe progress isn't linear, results don't come from quick fixes, it's about showing up, again and again. It's not about perfection, it's about progress. Every rep, every class, every choice adds up to real change. Because when you choose progress, you don't just change your body - you change what you believe is possible.