In this episode I look at the reasons and outcomes of the UK and the USA's on-going issue of manual labour workers significantly reducing their workloads and in some cases, stopping work early in life due to RSI (repetitive strain injury) or chronic (long term) musculoskeletal complaints.

According to 2023 Great Britain Labour Force Survey 21% of work related injuries come from lifting, carrying or moving, with the lower back / lumbar region being the most common complaint

From electricians and bricklayers to plumbers and warehouse operatives, the ever present threat of a career change or even forced retirement looms, as the body's ability to adapt and recover from physically demanding workloads decreases.

Let's consider a plumber, whom regularly kneels down to access low height fixings, giving rise to acute or long term tendonitis or ligament damage to his knees.

How about a plasterer / dry wall expert, who spends hours everyday with his shoulders in both flexed or retracted positions, leading to frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) or permanent rotator cuff injuries.

The physiological changes to posture, mobility, flexibility and musculoskeletal strength may creep up slowly during our 20s or 30s, however once we hit our 40s, these changes can have a rapidly declining effect on the above functions, culminating in poor work standards and or increased absenteeism.

Coupled with excess weight gain and elevated body fat levels, the work related injuries can have a devastating effect on the physical and mental health of a once highly skilled and sought after construction worker or landscape gardener.

It's therefore advisable for manual labour workers to consider embarking on regular self care, by way of joining your local gym, hiring a personal trainer or visiting sports massage therapists and physiotherapists to maintain good health and subsequently extending your career into your 60s/ 70s.

Nutrition is also a key factor in longevity, assisting with balanced energy levels and soft tissue (muscle) repair. We often think of manual labour workers gorging on highly processed foods at lunchtime or getting off work early on Fridays to start a heavy drinking session, followed by salt and fat laden takeaways, leading to struggling through Saturday's workload and possibly losing a client or lucrative contract of employment.

I have personally trained joiners, bricklayers, painters and electricians with an eye on sustaining their chosen professions, allowing for a healthy body, which in turn prolongs their ability to provide a high level of service and of course earn a wage respectively.

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In this episode, I openly discuss the modern day phenomenon of online dating.

With the advent of dating apps now available via mobile phones, smart pads and laptops, its considered the norm for singles to initiate contact with potential dates via anyone of the above devices, with minimal effort and low to zero expense.

This multi billion pound / dollar industry is hear to stay, weather we like it or not and as such it's inevitable at some point, you, a friend, family member or work colleague will join the millions of eager app swipers in search of a date.

As a professional personal trainer, with actual real life experience using dating apps, it's gradually sunk in that in order to get a date we men must be willing to make efforts regarding our physical appearance, which of course is the first line of offence on our profiles.

I've heard on countless occasions of women looking for a date, only to swipe left without even reading our profile blogs, due to men uploading pictures of themselves looking overweight and in poor physical health. The instantaneous left swipe, that follows essentially deletes the profile from the woman's memory, both figuratively speaking and the algorithm on the app itself.

It's with this knowledge and acceptance, men must take action and get back in the gym, out on the road or in the swimming pool to reduce the pounds or kilos of unwanted / unhealthy excess body fat.

Obviously the main reason to get in shape is for our physical health, however part of our DNA and social make up is to meet and subsequently bond with women, be it for casual dating, marriage or starting a family. With this in mind, we cannot blame the app, the uninterested women or society itself for our failure to land that all important first date, and therefore it's incumbent upon us to get healthy and at the very least, have a reasonable chance of meeting the lucky lady for a coffee, lunch or a walk in the local park.

The obesity epidemic sweeping through the male population in the UK, USA and Europe is simply not helping us to stay in the 'romantic hot seat' as even average looking women in low paid employment willingly swipe left, when they lay eyes on a overweight, double chinned, beer bellied bloke from Hull to Harrow.

Okay gents, time to up your game and take accountability for your personal health and appearance, so get to it and increase your already slim chance of landing an exciting and hopefully long term other half.

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In this episode, I sit down with Lincolnshire's premier chauffeur, Stephen Jones of White 7 Lincoln, to discuss his own personal journey into a healthier lifestyle.

Stephen came to our center in 2023 with an aim to improve his mobility, flexibility and posture, in order to maintain his physical capabilities, for the long hours spent sedentary in his workspace (the car).

Arriving at his clients homes early in the morning or late at night to drive them to airports around the country, with time deadlines to meet, is a very responsible profession, as clients are also driven to their own weddings or social gatherings in style.

As a high class service, Stephen often picks the clients luggage up to load into the car, allowing clients to relax and destress and then of course enjoy the luxury surroundings of executive travel.

Morning, daytime or night, Stephen is ready to provide his services, of which can often be repeat bookings, as long term clients put their trust in his professional and friendly personality.

However, this can take it's toll on his body and this is where Good Condition Lincoln comes into the conversation, with Personal training and Sports Massage Therapy.

We've guided Stephen to a new, focused and disciplined way of life, with regular stretching, strengthening exercises and nutritional changes.

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