James Smith: How To Create The Life You’ve Always Wanted | E120

In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett sits down with James Smith, the renowned fitness entrepreneur and coach, to explore how to create the life you've always wanted. The conversation covers Smith's journey from his early years through to building a successful coaching business, providing insights that extend far beyond fitness into personal development and life design.

Smith opens up about his early years and the experiences that shaped his ambition. When asked about people climbing in jobs they hate, he offers candid advice on recognizing when a position is holding you back versus when you're simply avoiding discomfort. A central theme emerges when discussing whether success lived up to expectations. Smith reveals that achieving external milestones often doesn't deliver the internal satisfaction people anticipate, highlighting a disconnect many high achievers experience.

The conversation takes an interesting turn when exploring why Smith became successful in the first place. Rather than attributing it solely to tactics or strategies, Smith points to deeper personal drivers and the ability to maintain consistency. This leads into a discussion about fitness industry debates, including comparisons to Joe Wicks, where Smith articulates his philosophy and disagreements with certain fitness approaches.

A particularly valuable segment focuses on identifying the traits that separate people who actually change their lives from those who merely talk about wanting change. Smith explains that real transformation requires consistent action, vulnerability, and a willingness to be uncomfortable. For those stuck in their jobs, he provides frameworks for decision making that go beyond simple motivation.

Imposter syndrome receives substantial attention as Smith discusses how even successful people struggle with feelings of inadequacy. The conversation around anxiety reveals Smith's personal experiences with mental health challenges and how they've influenced his perspective on success. He introduces the concept of mental imprisonment, explaining how our internal beliefs and fears can be more limiting than external circumstances.

Romantic relationships and personal fulfillment get explored as equally important to professional success. Smith argues that the same principles of intentional action and self-awareness that build businesses must be applied to relationships. The episode concludes with a discussion about Smith's work on writing a book about confidence, and Steven poses his signature final question.

Throughout the conversation, Smith's pragmatic approach and willingness to discuss both his successes and struggles make this episode particularly valuable for anyone looking to make meaningful changes in their life. The discussion goes beyond superficial motivation to explore the psychological and emotional foundations of lasting personal transformation.