Fit for Life – Community, Resilience and the Power of Belonging with Chris Herbert
Guest: Chris Herbert, Founder of Fit for Life Youth
In this episode, James Russell and Alex Sellers are joined by Chris Herbert, founder of Fit for Life Youth, an award‑winning community organisation working with children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Ladbroke Grove, London.
Chris shares his personal journey from growing up on a local estate to creating a charity that supports confidence, resilience, life skills and healthier lifestyles through sport, mentoring and community connection.
In this conversation, we explore:
- How early experiences with youth workers shaped Chris’ sense of purpose and legacy
- Why sport – and boxing in particular – can be a powerful vehicle for confidence, discipline and emotional regulation
- The modern pressures young people face today, including social media, online comparison, and public “slip‑ups” that never disappear
- Challenging the “snowflake” narrative by naming the very real pressures facing today’s youth
- How Fit for Life Youth creates belonging, structure and positive role models at a local, human level
- Stories of young people who have grown from participants into coaches, leaders and role models themselves
- The realities of running a grassroots charity: funding pressures, uncertainty, and navigating the Voluntary sector
- Turning setbacks into opportunities, including building a permanent gym space after losing community facilities
- Why community still matters – for young people and for adults – and how real connection shapes wellbeing
- Advice Chris would give his younger self about self‑belief, starting sooner, and keeping calm through uncertainty
Key themes:
- Belonging before performance
- Community as a foundation for resilience
- Sport as a metaphor for life and leadership under pressure
- Faith, persistence and “keeping calm and carrying on”
- The quiet impact of consistency and care
Quote from the episode:
“The feeling you get from seeing people develop and grow and become happy — that’s why we do this. It’s a feeling you can’t really put into words.”
Find out more:
- Fit for Life Youth: Website FFLY HQ
- Chris Herbert on LinkedIn: Christopher Herbert
- Follow Fit For Life Youth CIO (@fitforlifeyouth) • Instagram photos and videos for updates, stories and community work
If this episode resonated with you, consider how community shows up in your own life and where you might choose to contribute, reconnect, or support others.
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