Due to a serious and complicated medical history living my best life was something that other people got to experience, I could only watch from the side-lines wishing that my life could be different.

Years of multiple illnesses and many set backs eventually left me on life support for three months with my family being prepared for the worst, I’ve always been a fighter though and surprisingly pulled through although unfortunately have been left paralysed down my right leg and foot.

After intense rehabilitation I was discharged, with no further treatment offered, I was left to go and live what life I could with the help of carers 24/7, can you imagine being told that life as you knew it was over and that for ever more you will be dependent on someone for the most basic of tasks? I couldn’t even walk unaided- I was devastated- but determined to find a new version of MY normal.

I tried for over two years to regain strength especially in the wasted muscles of my leg, I was bounced from one supposed specialist, nutritionist or dietician to another and not one person could help me.  I had been going to the gym and spending up to three hours a day on the recumbent bike believing this was the only thing I was capable of due to my circumstances.

I was at the point of giving up when I decided to take the chance and emailed James, giving him my full story but not really expecting a reply, imagine my shock when I received an email from him? He was honest enough to say that he didn’t know if his academy could help but why not give it a go? I will admit to being initially disappointed in this, I think I was expecting someone to wave a magic wand and I’d be fixed, but on reflection I realised that I had absolutely nothing to lose! I had tried everything else to no avail so why not?

Joining the JSA turned out to be the best decision of my life.  For the first time I was dealt with honesty and facts rather than the false hope and pretences of the previous ‘experts.’ It was a breath of fresh air to be dealing with people who genuinely wanted you to succeed and not just to line their pockets. The academy gives you all the tools needed to succeed, it doesn’t sugar coat it, it states quite simply that there is no quick fix and that its all down to your own hard work and efforts. I loved the fact that they make it a life change and that it’s so easily sustainable.

 I decided to join in the Las Vegas challenge purely to give myself a time frame to work towards, believing that if I didn’t get stronger in the 12 weeks I was never going to, I didn’t believe for a minute that I stood a chance of winning against the incredible transformations that I had seen taking place. It took some time to get the exercise plan right and many, many messages passed between myself and Diren before we got a plan that just ‘worked’ and for the first time in my life I was lifting weights and achieving the seemingly impossible. It must be said that the support I received from the other academy members was out of this world. We are all walking the same path, yet we all want each other to do so well, I would not have pushed myself so hard had it not been for their support and belief in me.  

To my utter disbelief by the end of the challenge I had worked my way from walking with two crutches and support to managing to walk six steps fully unaided! Along the way I had also lost 16lbs and 46 inches from all over my body! I was utterly gob smacked when I was announced the winner of the challenge! I have the utmost respect for the JSA because, whilst I can technically now walk, the actual trip to Las Vegas was just not feasible for me due to the sheer size of it so when James asked if I would prefer the cash equivalent instead I happily accepted and now plan to use the money to make some more of my goals come true, for instance swimming with dolphins and visiting Paris.

Who knew that when I joined a fitness challenge that my life would change so dramatically for the better. Each and every single day I am achieving small things that only three months ago were impossible. My health will always be extremely precarious and there are times when I doubt myself but in those moments of doubt I look to the support of the JSA army to help me through. I now wake up every morning excited to see what else I can achieve!

James and the JSA have literally changed my life, there is not enough ways in which I can thank them for giving me back my life.

Lorna

"Your academy taught me a lot and I found what worked for me and what didn't, it's just a clear no nonsense approach and refreshing to hear in the industry. 

You've given me the confidence to make my own workouts and try different exercises that I wouldn't have thought about before and how to tailor it to suit. 

It's a class academy and everyone should definitely give it a go, and it has a free fucking trial! 

Can't get any better than that, no PT is going to give their time away for free... (well at least for 5 days!)."

Hi James

I’ve been with the Academy since September, signed up for the three month trial. Gave a huge explanation on my training bit about injuries and more recently, I had a problem with my knee subluxing but not always slotting back in. However, normally I’d have lost my shit and had a breakdown. I had my weekly check in, Andrew was blinding, recommended a new plan, Diren was on it and absolutely brilliant with me.

I just want to thank the guys for being so good with this injury, for helping me continue to rehabilitate physically as well as mentally through varied exercises. The best thing of all... is I’m back in love with training again. Something I never thought would happen!! I genuinely can’t thank the guys enough.

Ps can you thank Sean too, he’s always my check in guy and great!

I’m sorry it’s long winded but because of you guys I’m happy to train and not just go through the motions.

Thanks again

Living my “best life” always seemed out of reach. My dreams for the future were always framed in the caveat “once I...” or “when I....”

I never quite felt like I had the strength or willpower inside me to steer my own life. My health, my fitness and my confidence always seemed at the mercy of the current situation, and I used it as a crutch and stood in my own way.

When I stumbled across the JSA, what really struck me the most was honesty. For the first time, there was no false hope, no quick fix, just a dose of reality and the tools and support to achieve what had always been in my power.

Hi James,

After all the things I’ve read and seen recently on insta, I’ve felt compelled to message you. I’m an academy member and would like to tell you about what you, Diren and the academy has done for me. It’s a long one, you may want to get comfy - grab a brew!

I’m fat, I’ve always been fat, I’ve had varying degrees of fat but never been able to fit into the “just a bit chubby” category since the age of 11. Since this age, I’ve also had an horrific relationship with food, most foods demonised, swayed between bingeing and starving, the starving never lasted that long, hence been really fat most of my life. 18 months ago I started on a bit of a run of bad luck/life changing events and I ate my way through every single one of them, managed to gain 61/2 stone in that time - I know a majorly impressive amount of calories and you’re currently wondering if I’m a competitive eater!!! Sadly not!

 I have tried everything in my life to lose weight, spent a fortune, traded my sanity, self worth and self esteem for a load of false promises, lies and cons, without success obviously, until I found your academy about 10 weeks ago. A friend recommended it to me as she is also an academy member so thought I would give it a go, I’d tried everything else! In those 10 weeks it’s not even an exaggeration that my life has completely changed. For the first time ever, food isn’t this all powerful thing that ruins my life, I have only binged once in 10 weeks, this used to be a daily thing, I’m not obsessed with food anymore, no longer looking for a magic answer to a hopeless problem. I no longer weigh myself, I now understand this means nothing so I don’t bother. I do measure myself and take pics and I have around 68cm all over in those 10 weeks. However, this is nothing compared to the mental change in me. I have had the confidence to cut my hair, start wearing nicer clothes (they were always reserved for thinner me), I got on a train impulsively and went to the Leeds meet up and met some of the most fantastic and inspiring people, I managed to meet Pippa McKean and Amanda Tetlock, who are my real life heroes and achieved something I now feel is possible. I no longer hide away at home, I’m out and about doing things.

For the first time in my adult life, I feel comfortable about my body, I don’t feel upset or feel the need to compare myself. As you know there are some absolute stunners in the academy, I don’t feel less of a person anymore because I’m surrounded by thinner/fitter people. I find their support overwhelming at times.

 It’s given me the confidence to start training, I’ve been to a few PTs in my life and the first thing they all do is take one look at my body, underestimate what I am able to do and stick me on a bike for 5 mins followed by the treadmill and a couple of weights. It’s always resulted in me not returning again! This is the first time I feel like I haven’t been underestimated. That the training programme I was given was realistic but also pushed me and as it’s not a one size fits all programme that’s not easy to do.

Not only has it been an amazing transformation mentally but that has leaked into other areas of my life, my marriage is better, I’m a better mother, I’m more confident at work and have even bagged myself a meeting with the Trusts chief executive tomorrow to argue the case for some funding for where I work.

So whilst some people are screaming fat shaming, I would like to thank you and your system for being the first thing I have ever found that has made me unashamed of who I am and how my body currently looks. Knowing that I can now achieve what I want to and have. A healthier life without compromising myself.

Thanks Katie