James Granstrom is a male model and executive wellness coach with nearly 30 years of experience modeling for top brands including Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Orlebar Brown.

If you've ever wondered what life is really like as a male model, how to develop a lean, aesthetic physique, and the biggest mistakes high-performing men make when it comes to their wellbeing, James is the best person to listen to.

Timestamps:

00:00 – James’ origin story

01:18 – Banking stint, misalignment & desire for freedom

03:09 – First agency walk-ins with a holiday snap

04:16 – Getting male model lean

06:27 – First Ralph Lauren booking

08:07 – What model agencies are looking for (height, jawline, X-factor)

10:02 – Early DKNY job; late-’90s/early-’00s scene

10:41 – Model physique vs gym culture: what clients want

11:05 – Training, nutrition, and cutting for shows

14:11 – Values shift: near-fatal crash, sobriety & integrity

16:27 – What a shoot day really feels like (waiting, makeup, set)

24:41 – Simplicity in style (and why it photographs best)

27:04 – Freedom vs possessions; learning to travel light

27:15 – The Orlebar Brown story: getting in GQ

32:02 – Aging in the industry: taking yourself less seriously

36:06 – First business: bringing aloe drinks to the UK

39:05 – Tokyo years, craving roots; move to Marbella & lockdown

42:06 – What “executive wellness coaching” actually is

43:05 – Client case: energy, people-pleasing & better decisions

44:08 – Is sacrifice necessary? Rebalancing the “trivial pursuit”

46:09 – Building years: career/health vs love and happiness

52:04 – Men’s community, loneliness, and connection

53:11 – Going sober and plant-based before it was cool

53:40 – Dating while sober: just own it

56:18 – Self-discipline as an attractive trait; daily non-negotiables

59:32 – From reckless to calm: presence under pressure

1:00:21 – Coaching at the top: calm for high-stakes lives

1:01:18 – Absent parents, patterns & what we pass down

1:04:57 – Advice for 20s/30s: travel, patience, perspective

1:06:56 – Cultural differences & dropping judgment

1:07:56 – Discipline over absolutes; choosing energy daily

1:09:10 – Family & chosen family; investing in relationships

1:15:05 – Accountability partners & staying grounded

1:16:00 – Humility, owning mistakes & not pedestaling people

1:17:39 – Daily rituals that keep energy high (meditation, movement)

1:18:51 – Tracking, journaling & mirroring your day

1:24:54 – Aging like fine wine: plants, water, nature, sleep

1:26:15 – Alcohol vs focus; plant-based since 2004

1:28:06 – Where to find James

Enjoying this podcast? Then you'll love the Gentleman's Digest – a weekly newsletter of reflections, recommendations, and challenges personally written by James and sent to your inbox every Sunday.

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