James Owen Roberts is an entrepreneur, podcast host, international speaker and author with over 15 years of experience in exercise, diet and mindset. A 2x Paralympic athlete and alum of Swansea University and University of Chester, James now owns James Owen Roberts Coaching and serves as a consultant for Wheelchair Rugby League Ireland.
People tend to see the glory, but rarely know the story. Tell us about some of the pains and challenges on your personal journey.
My story starts off a little differently to most other disabled athletes, I first started out at an able-bodied swimming club whilst I was living in Mons, Belgium when both my parents were in the military.
I was born with a congenital disability called femoral dysplasia of the left leg; also known as Proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) or as Congenital Femoral Deficiency (CFD). PFFD is a rare, non-hereditary birth defect that affects the pelvis, particularly the hip bone, and the proximal femur. The disorder may affect one side or both, with the hip being deformed and the leg shortened. In addition to a floating hip and scoliosis of the spine.
I only got involved in disability sport in 2002 at the age of 16. But the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games were the springboard to what would be my future career as a Paralympic athlete. By 2003, I’d broken onto the British Swimming’s Potential Squad.
It dawned on me that the only person this was affecting was me, so something had to change. In all these circumstances, I found a way—my way—of overcoming these hurdles.
I had been dropped from program by Christmas of 2005 and went home thinking I’m going back to university to become a normal student. But our Performance Director at Disability Sport Wales (DSW) Anthony Highest had other ideas and asked me if I would like to try rowing. The rest is history. I went on to compete at three world championships and finished 5th in the final of the Beijing 2008 Paralympics.
I was in the final year of my Sports Science degree at Swansea University, and wanting to concentrate solely on my degree, possibly dabble with university sport to keep me sane. With the London Paralympics only three years away, I was asked if I would give sitting volleyball a go. To my surprise, I received an unexpected call to the World Championships in Edmund, Oklahoma. I jumped at another opportunity to represent my country.
Since my retirement from performance disability sport, I have come back to Prestatyn, North Wales and have been involved in Wheelchair Basketball helping Rhyl Raptors (previously North Wales Knights) climb the division ladders of Wheelchair Basketball in Britain.
What do you feel has been the hardest hurdle to jump?
It took longer to learn to crawl and to walk with the aid of an artificial leg that was fixed at the knee and with the support of a zimmer frame at first, and to be able do things my able-bodied peers took for granted. I struggled to come to terms with my disability as a teenager, whereby in the hot spring and summer months in high school, I wouldn’t wear shorts. Even though I wore shorts in PE classes.
It dawned on me that the only person this was affecting was me, so something had to change. In all these circumstances, I found a way—my way—of overcoming these hurdles. This mindset is what set me up to win later in life, and go on to represent my country at four World Championships, as well as two Paralympics.
What can young men looking to enter your field work on now to prepare?
Be authentic, inspiring, and empathetic to others. And don’t forget to listen. The fitness industry tends to be a carbon copy of what you see on Instagram—all about self and less about helping others.
Be authentic, inspiring, and empathetic to others. And don’t forget to listen.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Australia. I just have always have wanted to go. Maybe because I didn’t qualify to compete at Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. But there is also so much to see.
Describe the perfect date night.
Both parties enjoy the night. The conversation is flowing, none of those silent pauses.
What tools and/or strategic partnerships have you put in place to help or give back to the community?
I created a blog series to help other amputees with their training needs, which can be downloaded for free from my website.
What is next in the life of James Owen Roberts?
I have a TEDx Talk at the end of January. Sky is the limit in 2021 and beyond!
How can our readers connect with you outside of this interview?
- Website: fitamputee.co.uk
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdcgbvE5f3W07br0EEQ9bg
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesoroberts11
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamesoroberts11
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamesoroberts11
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jamesoroberts11/
- Apple Podcast: bit.ly/MindSetGamePodcast
