Meet Isaiah James

Isaiah is redefining what it means to break the cycle of reoffending, leading not just with words but with his life. A speaker, mentor, coach and co-founder of Freedom Through Fitness, he is driven by a powerful mission: to help people find purpose beyond their past and create lasting change from within.

From a young age, Isaiah was recognised in his community for his talent in sports, especially football and athletics. But challenges at home pulled him in a different direction. At just 15, he entered prison for the first time, beginning a cycle that would repeat throughout his teens and twenties. It wasn’t until his mid to late twenties that he experienced a moment of clarity, an epiphany that pushed him to break the pattern for good. By 30, he walked away from that cycle and never looked back.

During his sentencing, two pillars carried him: faith and fitness. Watching other prisoners train inspired him to elevate his own discipline and performance, pushing his body to a higher level. The quiet moments, often overlooked in prison life, became sacred spaces where he reconnected with his Christian faith. In those still moments he prayed for a purpose greater than the life he once knew. As Isaiah says, “Faith strengthens the spirit and fitness strengthens the body. You need these two in alignment to become the best version of yourself.”

Today, Isaiah has become a powerful voice for using fitness as a tool to heal trauma, whether from PTSD, gang involvement or time in prison. He stands as a relatable role model for young men entangled in gang culture or knife crime who are searching for a way out. As he often says, they are the “adults of tomorrow.”

Isaiah now spends his time delivering youth empowerment workshops, prevention sessions and returning to prisons, this time as a symbol of transformation. Through Freedom Through Fitness, he has created a unique blend of physical training and personal development, weaving together mindset, faith, accountability and responsibility to support prisoners with rehabilitation and reintegration. His work has gained national attention, with features in The Metro and BBC Radio London.

What began as a personal turning point has grown into a movement built on the belief that true freedom starts in the mind. Through movement, mindset and community, Isaiah shows that anyone, no matter their past, has the power to rewrite their story.

To learn more about Freedom through Fitness, visit their website here: https://freedomthroughfitness.co.uk/