James Sealey

I am a qualified Marine Engineer by trade, with a career that took me to sea serving in the Royal Navy.

That relationship with the sea has shaped not just my career, but my whole approach to health and wellbeing.

For as long as I can remember, the sea has been my go-to place. Whether I'm surfing, sea swimming, or simply being near the water, the sea has been of comfort.

I am a qualified CHILL cold water therapy coach and a beach lifeguard with the CHILL team, and I am a strong advocate for using nature to support both mental and physical health.

I firmly believe that the natural world, and the sea in particular, holds enormous potential as a therapeutic resource, and I want to see that potential embraced far more widely in how we approach health and wellbeing at Connect Outdoors.

Away from the water, my other great loves are Jiu Jitsu and chess. Jiu Jitsu is far more than a physical discipline; it teaches patience, problem solving, resilience, and respect. Rolling on the mat demands complete presence of mind, which makes it every bit as valuable for mental health as it is for physical fitness. Like the sea, Jiu Jitsu has a way of putting everything else into perspective. Chess is another hobby of mine, a quieter kind of challenge, pure mental strategy where every move demands you to be fully present.