James Culmer-Shields and I recently sat down at my kitchen table and talked about something that touches all of us: how we stay well enough as we age to live the lives we want to live. James has spent decades in the world of fitness - from his time in the military training to personal coaching to founding The Athlete Centre. Now, he’s turning his attention to something broader: how we can all live longer, healthier lives in ways that feel realistic, not overwhelming.

“Let’s help the people who are sat at home… who are saying, ‘I know I need to do something. But what?’”

This episode isn’t about elite training or hacks. It’s about practical ways to feel stronger, more capable and more connected to our bodies as we age. We talk about:

James motivation to make longevity accessible to people who don’t have a science degree or listen to longevity experts.

What future-proofing your health might look like in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond

The importance of designing support for those who want to move more, but don’t know where to start

This isn’t a how-to guide. It’s a thoughtful chat about what health and longevity can mean for you - for now and for the longer-term. 

James Culmer-Shields  gained invaluable insight into the high-performance world, learning what it takes to optimise the body for peak results and performance after years of working alongside professional athletes and media stars. In 2003 he established The Athlete Centre, an innovative Strength and Conditioning facility in Oxford. Turning 40 - James realised that there's more to training than just achieving physical goals or maintaining an aesthetic. It became clear that the way we approach fitness needs to evolve, particularly as we age. Thus Future Proof was born