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
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