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Melissa has played sport her whole life. Tennis from the age of six, hockey through her 20s, 30s and 40s, squash, golf, real tennis, even ladies' cricket. Then a shoulder injury took it all away for six months, and as she puts it, it narrowed her whole life down: the sport, the people, the confidence, all of it.
In this episode Melissa talks about the knock that time out had on her mental health, what it took to get going again (a lecture from her children and a notice in a window), why six months off made her feel like a slug when she wasn't nearly as unfit as she thought, and how building her strength back rebuilt her confidence with it. These days she plays pickleball and bowls, and she's part of the volunteer team taking Stonehouse to the national In Bloom finals on 20 October.
There's a Jim's Gym quick-fire round, a hot air balloon pilot, the first Porsche ever imported into Britain, and some very good advice involving a tin of beans.
Chapters
00:00:00 Welcome and who Melissa is
00:02:06 Surrey to Gloucestershire: a fresh start
00:05:11 A lifetime of sport, from tennis at six
00:07:48 Born competitive (and the first Porsche in Britain)
00:12:12 Why a new game in later life is worth it
00:14:44 Making friends in a new area
00:15:51 The shoulder injury and six months out
00:18:04 "It narrows your life down"
00:19:55 Getting strong again, working around pain
00:21:09 Why pickleball replaced tennis
00:22:39 Stonehouse in Bloom and the national finals
00:27:55 The Jim's Gym quick-fire round
00:31:28 Melissa's advice: just start
00:33:13 Outro
Free live workouts every Tuesday and Friday at 9am: www.facebook.com/groups/jimsgymcommunity
Free Fitness MOT: www.jimsgym.fitness/free-fitness-mot
Join Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness/become-a-member
One in three people over 65 has a fall every year. And yet the message at the heart of this episode is a hopeful one: falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, and there's more in your control than you think.
James is joined by Meghan and Annie from the NHS Falls Assessment and Education Service here in Gloucestershire. They cover why people really fall (it's rarely just bad luck: slippers, medications, eyesight and strength all play a part), the fear-of-falling cycle that quietly does as much damage as falls themselves, the exercises with the strongest evidence behind them, and the magic number: three times a week. They also walk through exactly what to do if you find yourself on the floor, including the right way for someone to help you up. And listen out for the gentlemen who've never injured themselves in a fall thanks to their National Service para training, plus the surprising case for owning a log burner.
This episode is released during Falls Prevention Awareness Week, 21st to 25th September 2026. Jim's Gym is supporting Fall-Proof, a Gloucestershire-wide campaign helping older adults stay strong, steady and confident through strength and balance activities. Find out more and access the free resources at: fallproof.me
If you're in Gloucestershire and worried about falls, you can refer yourself: search "Gloucestershire Falls" or use the link below. Wherever you live, the free resources are open to everyone.
This episode is general guidance, not personal medical advice. If you're worried about falls, speak to your GP or local falls service.
Fall-Proof campaign and free resources: https://fallproof.me
Gloucestershire Falls Assessment and Education Service: https://www.ghc.nhs.uk/our-teams-and-services/falls/
Fancy working on your strength and balance from home? Find us at www.jimsgym.fitness
We live in a world where everything needs to be done yesterday. Izwe Nkosi believes gardening offers something very different: the chance to slow down and move at the pace of nature.
Izwe is the gardener behind For Plants Sake, where well over 100,000 people follow his garden and allotment. He grew up in South Africa surrounded by his father's mangoes, avocados, grapes and roses, worked in garden centres himself, and eventually started sharing his own gardening journey online. Then a simple video about growing potatoes reached millions of views and everything changed.
But this isn't really an episode about becoming a successful gardening influencer.
James and Izwe explore why gardening can be such a powerful antidote to the speed of modern life: getting us moving, giving the mind somewhere to settle, reconnecting us with nature and creating opportunities for people to connect with one another.
They talk about burnout and our relentless pursuit of productivity, loneliness and the friendships formed on allotments, gardening with children, growing your own food and why Izwe believes we should think less about constant productivity and more about fruitfulness — recognising that, like nature, human beings also need periods of rest.
Izwe also talks about authenticity online, why he sees people as different plants requiring different environments in which to thrive, and how something as ordinary as weeding has become a form of meditation for him.
And there are plenty of practical ideas to take away too, including the three foods Izwe thinks everyone should grow at least once, what to plant as autumn approaches and some simple ways to begin experiencing the garden differently.
Find Izwe:
Search For Plants Sake on Instagram, TikTok and social media.
Fancy getting moving too? Find us at www.jimsgym.fitness
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:37 - Meet Izwe Nkosi and For Plants Sake
00:04:17 - How gardening came into Izwe's life
00:05:52 - Gardening at the pace of nature
00:08:30 - Why younger people are rediscovering gardening
00:13:54 - Growing your own food
00:15:39 - Allotments, community and loneliness
00:17:49 - Gardening as movement and exercise
00:20:20 - Productivity versus fruitfulness
00:23:00 - Gardening with children
00:24:57 - The potato video that went viral
00:26:24 - Social media success without chasing influence
00:28:18 - Why Izwe sees people like plants
00:30:13 - Authenticity and staying real online
00:34:38 - Three foods everyone should grow
00:36:44 - What to plant going into autumn
00:39:36 - Kale and eating with the seasons
00:44:29 - Weeding as meditation and how to get started
00:48:01 - Where to find For Plants Sake
Jenny has been dancing in shows since she was 16, spent lockdown making scrubs for nurses with her mum and now runs a crafting business making personalised bunting — alongside the slightly less conventional embroidered toilet roll.
In this member episode, James and Jenny talk about her lifelong connection with dance, her route to Jim's Gym and why finding exercise that works around your life can make such a difference.
Jenny also talks openly about her experience of breast cancer, writing a blog about what she went through, and how her relationship with exercise and staying active has developed through more challenging periods of her life.
Along the way there are stories about fancy dress shops, crafting, Rufus the dog, motorhomes, theatre, costume making and scones — before James puts Jenny through the Inspiring Movement quickfire round.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction: meet Jenny
00:00:58 - Jenny joins James
00:02:07 - Embroidered toilet rolls and Jenny's crafting business
00:06:19 - Running fancy dress shops
00:08:26 - Jenny's history with exercise
00:10:34 - Dance and her favourite Jim's Gym class
00:12:44 - Jenny talks about breast cancer
00:14:22 - Writing a blog about her experience
00:16:55 - Looking back after treatment
00:18:20 - How her relationship with exercise changed
00:20:21 - Rufus, walking and keeping active
00:23:27 - Theatre, baking and costume making
00:26:26 - Quickfire round
00:29:42 - Jenny's advice for getting active
00:31:10 - Outro
Fancy sorting the health side? Find us at www.jimsgym.fitness
Ask a financial planner to name the best investment you can make for later life and you'd expect to hear pensions or ISAs. Dave Southby's answer? Your health. Money buys experiences, time and memories, but only if you're fit enough to enjoy them.
There's plenty of money talk on the way to that answer. James and Dave cover the questions that come up again and again: where to save for the grandchildren, whether to bring old pensions together, coping with the cost of living on a fixed income, how to spot a financial scam, and the inheritance tax allowance that took James completely by surprise. Dave also explains why so many people reach retirement afraid to spend the pot they spent a lifetime building, and why you don't need to be wealthy to sit down with an adviser.
Please note: this episode is general information, not financial advice. Everyone's circumstances are different, so please speak to a qualified financial adviser before making any financial decisions.
Find Dave: www.southbyfp.co.uk
Dave and the Southby & Co team are walking 26 miles from Stonehenge to Avebury and running the Swindon Half Marathon this September for Wiltshire Treehouse, a charity supporting bereaved children and young people. Support them here: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/southby-co-s-summer-of-fundraising
Fancy sorting the health side? Find us at www.jimsgym.fitness
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:35 - From Land Rover to financial planning
00:06:07 - Is it ever too late to start planning?
00:09:26 - ISAs and saving for the grandchildren
00:13:17 - Pensions: consolidating and where to start
00:17:51 - The cost of living and the fear of spending
00:20:53 - Inheritance tax and the million pound allowance
00:23:07 - The 2027 pension inheritance tax change
00:29:13 - Financial scams and staying safe
00:31:46 - Why health is the best investment you can make
00:35:26 - Dave's charity challenges
Why wait to do something you have always wanted to do?
In this episode of Inspiring Movement, host James Hilton introduces a new kind of conversation for the podcast: the first in a series of real-life stories featuring members of Jim’s Gym.
James is joined by Jayne, who shares the experiences, interests and adventures that have shaped her life, as well as the role movement now plays in helping her continue doing the things she enjoys.
Now retired and living in Wales, Jayne has no intention of slowing down. Her life includes volunteering, travelling, roller skating, motorcycling and planning future adventures in her campervan. She talks to James about returning to activities she enjoyed when she was younger, trying new experiences and refusing to assume that age should prevent her from doing something she wants to do.
A keen motorbike rider, Jayne explains how strength, mobility and flexibility all contribute to her ability to continue riding. Activities within her Jim’s Gym classes—including exercises involving hurdles—have helped her practise movements that translate into everyday life, such as getting on and off her bike.
The conversation also explores Jayne’s journey into online exercise. James and Jayne first trained together through an earlier online platform before she became part of the Jim’s Gym community. She reflects on what made online classes work for her and why enjoyment, humour and connection can be just as important as the exercises themselves.
James explains that most people already understand that exercise is good for their physical and mental health. The real challenge is finding a form of movement that people genuinely want to keep doing. By making sessions fun, welcoming and light-hearted, exercise can become something to look forward to rather than another obligation.
They also discuss the importance of inclusive fitness. Not everyone feels comfortable attending a traditional gym, exercising on the floor or taking part in fast-paced classes. Jim’s Gym sessions are designed so that exercises can be adapted, allowing more people to join in at a level that works for them.
Jayne has embraced that adaptable approach. She regularly uses her own barbell—affectionately known as “Betty”—during classes and has continued to increase the weights she uses. James and Jayne discuss why lifting weights can feel empowering, particularly for women who may have grown up being told that something was too heavy or that somebody else should carry it for them.
For Jayne, exercise is not simply about completing a workout. It supports the wider life she wants to lead. It helps her stay strong enough to travel, ride her motorbike, enjoy her hobbies and remain active and independent.
The episode ends with a quick-fire round covering Jayne’s favourite classes, preferred time of day to exercise, favourite equipment, workout location and whether she continues exercising while travelling in the campervan.
When James asks Jayne to offer one piece of actionable advice to listeners, her answer captures the spirit of the entire conversation:
Why wait?
Whether you are considering starting exercise, returning to an old hobby, travelling somewhere new or attempting something you have always wanted to try, Jayne’s story is a reminder that it is never too late to begin.
Inspiring Movement is hosted by James Hilton and explores the people, experiences and ideas that help us move more, live well and keep doing the things that matter to us.
About Jim's Gym
Jim's Gym is an online fitness and wellbeing membership for adults aged 55 and over. With 15+ live classes every week via Zoom, 800+ on-demand workout videos, and a warm, welcoming community, it's everything a gym should be without any of the things that put people off.
Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Strength, Balance and more, all led by specialist instructors, all from home.
Monthly membership from just £12.99. No joining fees. No contracts. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
👉 Join Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness
👉 Join the free Facebook community: Friends of Jim's Gym
🎧 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Jim's Gym Podcast: Inspiring Movement is produced by Jim's Gym and hosted by James Hilton.
Getting older might bring a few more aches and pains, but that doesn't mean you simply have to accept them.
Jim sits down with Ed Voss, a chartered physiotherapist based in Stroud with 16 years of experience across the NHS and private practice. Ed has recently opened a new clinic in Stroud and will also be joining the Jim's Gym team from August.
In this practical, no-nonsense conversation, Ed explains what pain actually is, why two people with the same condition can experience it completely differently, and why pain doesn't always mean that further damage is being done.
They also explore arthritis, recurring injuries, back pain, online diagnoses and the importance of strength training as we get older. Ed explains how getting stronger can increase the body's capacity, reduce the risk of injury and help us continue doing the things that matter to us.
This episode is packed with realistic advice for anyone managing pain, recovering from an injury or wondering how to begin strength training without feeling overwhelmed.
👉 Find Ed: https://www.edvossphysio.co.uk/
In this episode:
How Ed went from studying anatomy and physiology to becoming a chartered physiotherapist
The difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment
Why physiotherapy looks beyond the painful area to identify the root cause of a problem
The difference between acute pain and chronic pain
Why pain doesn't always correspond directly with physical damage
How sleep, stress, activity levels, medical history and our beliefs can influence pain
Why two people with the same diagnosis can experience completely different symptoms
Why arthritis isn't simply a case of the joints wearing out like brake pads
How movement and individually tailored exercises can improve long-term pain
Why back pain might be caused by a problem somewhere else in the body
The risks of relying on Google, social media or AI for a diagnosis
Why generic lists of the “five best exercises” aren't right for everyone
How strength training increases the body's capacity and reduces injury risk
Whether it is safe to continue exercising when something hurts
Why strength training doesn't have to mean lifting extremely heavy weights
How often we should strength train and why recovery is essential
Why it can take eight to twelve weeks of consistency to notice meaningful results
Why strength should always be connected to something you want to do in everyday life
What members can expect when Ed joins the Jim's Gym team
Ed's three practical tips for making exercise a lasting part of your life
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:47 - Meet Ed Voss: Chartered Physiotherapist
00:01:10 - Why Ed Chose a Career in Physiotherapy
00:02:35 - Physiotherapy vs Chiropractic Treatment
00:04:59 - What Pain Actually Is
00:06:53 - Why Pain Can Become Connected to Certain Movements
00:08:36 - Why Everyone Experiences Pain Differently
00:09:49 - Can Long-Term Arthritis Pain Really Improve?
00:11:34 - Why Treatment Must Be Tailored to the Individual
00:12:29 - Does Getting Older Automatically Mean More Pain?
00:14:18 - What to Do When Pain or Injury Strikes
00:16:23 - Should You Trust Google or AI for a Diagnosis?
00:18:04 - Why Strength Training Matters as We Age
00:19:33 - Can Strength Training Prevent Injuries?
00:20:13 - Is It Safe to Exercise Through Pain?
00:21:25 - What Strength Training Actually Means
00:22:08 - The Minimum Effective Dose for Strength Training
00:24:45 - Strength for What? Training Around Real-Life Goals
00:26:55 - Ed Is Joining the Jim's Gym Team
00:28:05 - Osteoporosis and the Importance of Strength Training
00:29:25 - Ed's Practical Advice for Staying Active
00:31:32 - How to Find Exercise You'll Actually Stick With
Buzzsprout Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:47 - Meet Ed Voss: Chartered Physiotherapist
00:01:10 - Why Ed Chose a Career in Physiotherapy
00:02:35 - Physiotherapy vs Chiropractic Treatment
00:04:59 - What Pain Actually Is
00:06:53 - Why Pain Can Become Connected to Certain Movements
00:08:36 - Why Everyone Experiences Pain Differently
00:09:49 - Can Long-Term Arthritis Pain Really Improve?
00:11:34 - Why Treatment Must Be Tailored to the Individual
00:12:29 - Does Getting Older Automatically Mean More Pain?
00:14:18 - What to Do When Pain or Injury Strikes
00:16:23 - Should You Trust Google or AI for a Diagnosis?
00:18:04 - Why Strength Training Matters as We Age
00:19:33 - Can Strength Training Prevent Injuries?
00:20:13 - Is It Safe to Exercise Through Pain?
00:21:25 - What Strength Training Actually Means
00:22:08 - The Minimum Effective Dose for Strength Training
00:24:45 - Strength for What? Training Around Real-Life Goals
00:26:55 - Ed Is Joining the Jim's Gym Team
00:28:05 - Osteoporosis and the Importance of Strength Training
00:29:25 - Ed's Practical Advice for Staying Active
00:31:32 - How to Find Exercise You'll Actually Stick With
About Ed Voss
Ed Voss is a chartered physiotherapist based in Stroud. He has worked as a physiotherapist for 16 years, beginning his career in the NHS before moving into private practice, where he has worked for the past 11 years.
Ed originally studied anatomy and physiology before training as a physiotherapist. His approach focuses on understanding the root cause of pain, treating each person as an individual and helping people build the strength and confidence needed to return to the activities they enjoy.
Ed has recently opened a new clinic in Stroud and will be joining the Jim's Gym team from August. Through monthly sessions, he will help members better understand common problems involving the back, shoulders, hips and knees, alongside conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
About Jim's Gym
Jim's Gym is an online fitness and wellbeing membership for adults aged 55 and over. With 15+ live classes every week via Zoom, 800+ on-demand workout videos, and a warm, welcoming community, it's everything a gym should be without any of the things that put people off.
Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Strength, Balance and more, all led by specialist instructors, all from home.
Monthly membership from just £12.99. No joining fees. No contracts. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
👉 Join Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness
👉 Join the free Facebook community: Friends of Jim's Gym
🎧 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Jim's Gym Podcast: Inspiring Movement is produced by Jim's Gym and hosted by James Hilton.
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 live your life.
We also get into the surprising link between postnatal yoga and yoga for the over 60s, what a birth doula actually does, and what Reiki is and how it works.
Oh, and Virginia shares one simple thing you can do first thing tomorrow morning that gets you out of your head and into your body in about 30 seconds.
Virginia teaches live every Wednesday at 9am at Jim's Gym. After listening to this, you'll understand exactly why our members love her.
In this episode:
• Why you don't need to touch your toes to do yoga
• The ancient philosophy behind yoga and why it still matters
• How the breath is the quickest route to the present moment
• The connection between birth doula work and later life yoga
• What Reiki actually is, explained simply
• Virginia's one actionable tip to try tomorrow morning
Find Jim's Gym at www.jimsgym.fitness
Free Fitness MOT: www.jimsgym.fitness/free-fitness-mot
🎧 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
*Chapters:*
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:00 - How Virginia found yoga through injury
00:04:00 - Yoga vs Pilates
00:07:00 - Living the yoga off the mat
00:13:00 - The breath and being present
00:18:00 - Yoga at Jim's Gym
00:22:00 - Making yoga accessible after hip replacements, strokes and cancer
00:25:00 - The link between postnatal and later life yoga
00:28:00 - What is a birth doula?
00:33:00 - The dedication of Jim's Gym members
00:38:00 - What is Reiki?
00:43:00 - Virginia's one actionable tip
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 heavy or morbid conversation. It's warm, honest, and surprisingly uplifting. Jane explains why we've lost our way when it comes to talking about death, why children are often far better at it than adults, and why putting a simple plan in place now is one of the kindest things you can do for the people you love.
👉 Find Jane and Family Tree Funeral Company: https://www.familytreefunerals.co.uk/
In this episode:
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:54 - Meet Jane Diamond: Funeral Director and Death Doula
00:03:09 - How Jane Found Herself Working in This Sector
00:04:34 - What an End of Life Doula Actually Does
00:07:02 - Why We've Lost Our Way Talking About Death
00:08:50 - How to Reframe Death and Talk About It More Easily
00:11:03 - Why Children Are More Comfortable With Death Than Adults
00:13:46 - What Is a Death Cafe?
00:15:09 - The History of the Death Cafe Movement
00:17:13 - Why People Leave Death Cafe Feeling Uplifted
00:19:00 - Jane's Own Early Experience With Loss
00:19:40 - The Practical Side: Wills, Power of Attorney and Planning Ahead
00:22:29 - How to Get Started Without It Feeling Overwhelming
00:27:23 - Jane's Advice: Start the Conversation Today
About Jane Diamond
Jane is a death doula and funeral director based in Stroud, Gloucestershire. She owns Family Tree Funeral Company alongside her husband and also co-hosts the Nailsworth Death Cafe, a community conversation group that meets every other month at the Canteen in Nailsworth. Jane is a Jim's Gym member.
About Jim's Gym
Jim's Gym is an online fitness and wellbeing membership for adults aged 55 and over. With 15+ live classes every week via Zoom, 800+ on-demand workout videos, and a warm, welcoming community, it's everything a gym should be without any of the things that put people off. Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Strength, Balance and more, all led by specialist instructors, all from home.
Monthly membership from just £12.99. No joining fees. No contracts. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
👉 Join Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness
👉 Join the free Facebook community: Friends of Jim's Gym
🎧 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Jim's Gym Podcast: Inspiring Movement is produced by Jim's Gym and hosted by James Hilton.
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 every Monday morning.
This is a brilliant conversation about movement, mindfulness, community and why tai chi might be exactly what your body has been asking for.
👉 Try Andy's class at Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness
In this episode:
About Andy Yau Andy grew up in Hong Kong where a passion for martial arts and kung fu took hold at a young age. In his 20s he discovered tai chi and it changed everything. He now teaches tai chi and movement at Jim's Gym every Monday at 10am, bringing almost 20 years of experience to the community.
About Jim's Gym Jim's Gym is an online fitness and wellbeing membership for adults aged 55 and over. With 15+ live classes every week via Zoom, 800+ on-demand videos, and a warm, welcoming community, it's everything a gym should be without any of the things that put people off. Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi, Strength, Balance and more, all led by specialist instructors, all from home.
Monthly membership from just £12.99. No joining fees. No contracts. Cancel anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
👉 Join Jim's Gym: www.jimsgym.fitness 👉 Join the free Facebook community: Friends of Jim's Gym
🎧 Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Jim's Gym Podcast: Inspiring Movement is produced by Jim's Gym and hosted by James Hilton.
From the publisher's feed
Introducing a podcast dedicated to inspiring older adults to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Join us as we speak with incredible people who share their stories and expertise, providing…