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The Jim's Gym Podcast - Inspiring Movement

The Jim's Gym Podcast - Inspiring Movement

By: James Hilton
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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 valuable insights and advice that will encourage listeners to view being active through a different lens and take action towards a happier and healthier life. Reaping all the benefits of being fitter.

© 2026 The Jim's Gym Podcast - Inspiring Movement Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • S3E4 – Jane Diamond – Death, Doulas and Why Talking About It Sets You Free

    S3E4 – Jane Diamond – Death, Doulas and Why Talking About It Sets You Free
    Jun 18 2026

    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:

    • How Jane went from training as a psychotherapist to becoming a funeral director and death doula
    • What an end-of-life doula actually does, and how it compares to a birth doula
    • Why we've become disconnected from death as a society, and how that's slowly changing
    • Why children talk about death far more naturally than adults, and what we can learn from that
    • What "Death Cafe" actually is, and why people leave feeling uplifted rather than upset
    • The practical side of end of life planning: wills, lasting power of attorney, and a simple document that holds your whole life in one place
    • Why doing this now means you can relax and just enjoy life
    • One simple way to start a difficult conversation with a parent or loved one

    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.
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    30 mins
  • S3E3 – Andy Yau – Why Tai Chi Might Be the Best Thing You've Never Tried

    S3E3 – Andy Yau – Why Tai Chi Might Be the Best Thing You've Never Tried
    Jun 4 2026

    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:

    • How Andy discovered tai chi in a Hong Kong park almost 20 years ago
    • The difference between tai chi and qigong, explained simply
    • Why tai chi is suitable for absolutely anyone, regardless of fitness level
    • How the 24, 37 and 48 move forms work and where beginners should start
    • Why you don't need any equipment and only need a yoga mat's worth of space
    • The physical benefits: balance, coordination, body awareness and joint mobility
    • Why tai chi is ideal if you have arthritis, a bad knee or bad hip
    • The meditative side: why the whole class is essentially moving mindfulness
    • A member who watched from a hospital bed and still felt the benefit
    • Andy's simple actionable tip you can start today, no class required

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • S3E2 – Vernon Lidstone – 82 Years Old, Powerlifting 200kg & Proof It's Never Too Late

    S3E2 – Vernon Lidstone – 82 Years Old, Powerlifting 200kg & Proof It's Never Too Late
    May 21 2026
    What happens when an 82-year-old retired prison chaplain decides to start strength training for the very first time?In this inspiring episode of Inspiring Movement, Jim sits down with Vernon Lidstone, who began his fitness journey at the age of 70 and is now competing in powerlifting competitions in his 80s.Recently, Vernon completed “The Chaplain’s Challenge”, lifting a combined total of 200kg at Crazy Strength Gym near Salisbury to help raise £40,000 for essential heating repairs at St Peter’s Church, Framilode. The church’s boiler had failed beyond repair, and the fundraising campaign aims to replace it with a cleaner, more energy-efficient air-source heat pump system.Even more remarkably, Vernon has since been informed by the South West Powerlifting Association that his performance set nine regional records across the Masters 3 and Masters 4 categories.But this conversation is about far more than weights.It’s about confidence, community, ageing well, resilience after grief, and why becoming stronger later in life can completely transform how you move through the world.Vernon shares how he went from community fitness classes in his church hall to stepping into a powerlifting gym surrounded by athletes decades younger than him. Along the way, he discovered not only physical strength, but a new sense of purpose and possibility.If you’ve ever thought “I’m too old to start”, this episode may change your mind.👉 Support Vernon’s fundraising challenge:St Peter’s Church JustGiving Page👉 Join Jim’s Gym:Jim’s GymIn this episode:How Vernon became a prison chaplain after the loss of his first wifeWhy he first became interested in strength training in his late 70sThe difference between being “fit” and being “strong” as we ageHow community exercise classes in a church led him into powerliftingWhat it feels like walking into a powerlifting gym at 82 years oldThe three lifts used in powerlifting competitions: squat, bench press and deadliftWhy fall prevention and strength matter so much for older adultsThe surprising confidence that comes from learning how to fall safelyHow Vernon raised money for St Peter’s Church through “The Chaplain’s Challenge”The story behind his 200kg fundraising lift at Crazy Strength GymSetting nine South West Powerlifting Association records in his 80sWhy strength training has changed the way he approaches everyday lifeThe social side of fitness, and why community matters just as much as exerciseVernon’s advice to anyone over 55 who feels it’s “too late” to startAbout Vernon LidstoneVernon Lidstone is an 82-year-old retired prison chaplain from Gloucestershire who began strength training at the age of 70. What started as community fitness classes in his local church eventually led him into competitive powerlifting.In 2026, Vernon completed “The Chaplain’s Challenge”, lifting a combined total of 200kg to help raise funds for essential repairs and heating upgrades at St Peter’s Church, Framilode.Following the competition, Vernon was informed that his lifts had set nine South West Powerlifting Association records across the Masters 3 and Masters 4 divisions.His story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to become stronger.About The Chaplain’s Challenge – 200 for 200“The Chaplain’s Challenge – 200 for 200” was created to help raise £40,000 for St Peter’s Church, Framilode after the church’s oil-fired boiler failed beyond repair.The fundraising campaign aims to replace the heating system with a cleaner, more environmentally friendly air-source heat pump system to keep the church warm and sustainable for the future.Vernon invited 200 people or groups to donate £200 each, symbolising £1 for every kilogram lifted during his 200kg challenge.Supporters could also choose:Silver Donation: £100 (50p per kg lifted)Bronze Donation: £50 (25p per kg lifted)👉 Donate here:St Peter’s Church JustGiving PageUK taxpayers can also use Gift Aid to increase their donation by 25% at no extra cost.About Jim’s GymJim’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, Tai Chi, Strength, Balance, Dance Fitness and more, all led by specialist instructors and accessible from home.Monthly membership from just £12.99. No contracts. Cancel anytime.👉 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.Inspiring Movement is produced by Jim’s Gym and hosted by James Hilton.
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    33 mins
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