My name is James Sutliff, I am 36 and I am disability coach & personal trainer.

At the age of 23 I unexpectedly developed a rare neurological disorder, Dystonia, which causes me to have a very slurred speech and limits the use of my hands.

Over the past 12 years my life has completely changed, but I believe that Dystonia was the best thing that could have happened to me. Not only did it lead me to a rewarding and completely life changing career, it shifted my whole perspective on life and gave me purpose and passion.

I work alongside The Matt Hampson Foundation, where I coach people with a range of disabilities from brain trauma, spinal injuries, MS and Cerebral Palsy to name a few. I have clients who are newly injured, often with low self-esteem and depression, my ability to relate to them is quite unique.

I also have my own coaching business, where I work specifically with people who have disabilities and mental illness.

Through my work and active self-promotion, I have been lucky to be featured in Men’s Fitness, Uni Lad, LadBible, joe.co.uk and be interviewed on the BBC and ITV’s This Morning. I have won national awards and have spoken at large companies such as HSBC.

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing but the journey and experience of navigating and building a whole new life, whilst living with an invisible disability has been deeply profound. I have achieved far beyond my expectations, and I want to share my story and what I have learnt along the way to as many people as I can.