Tiago
Earlier this month, Oli had the pleasure of sitting down with James — one of our longest-standing Semi Private PT members — to reflect on his time with us so far and what continues to drive him years later.
The intention behind this piece is to hold up a mirror for the wider membership: to encourage a moment of reflection on their own progress, what continues to motivate them, and what helps keep our relationship with them strong as both they and we continue to grow.
Below is the back-and-forth between Oli and James.
Oli: You’re one of most long standing, consistent members. What I’d love to know is what’s kept it interesting for you throughout your time with us so far — especially once the initial novelty diminished?
I think three things have kept me engaged long after the initial novelty wore off:
Thoughtful Programming: the cadence of the programs keeps my routine from ever feeling stale. I specifically appreciate the balance between high-level athletic movement and raw strength training; it feels functional, not just repetitive.
The Pursuit of Progression: as Francesco, Natalia, and others would always remind me, find some progress every session, even if it’s just a little bit. Then, as the weeks and months go by, the challenge of hitting quarterly goals and new PBs is very motivating. I never find a deadlift boring if it’s the heaviest thing I’ve ever lifted!
A Culture of Positivity: I really like the community – the trainers and the clients. Without wanting to sound sappy, it feels like coming to hang out with friends, it’s nice to see everyone, and there’s just a lot of positivity, encouragement, good vibes and friendly faces.
Oli: You’ve been chasing quarterly goals with us now for a few years. Over your time with us, has your definition of success changed for you compared to when your first started?
My definition of success hasn’t so much changed as it has evolved and expanded.
When I first started, the goal was purely foundational: I wanted to build the strength and mobility necessary to support my long-term health and well-being. That remains my core objective – ensuring I have the physical capacity for a full life well into middle and old age.
However, the consistent progress I’ve made over the last few years has honestly surprised me. Because of that, my benchmark for success now includes a much more proactive, performance-oriented layer. It’s no longer just about ‘maintenance’; it’s about the continued mastery of large compound lifts and feeling more athletic generally. Success today is knowing that my ceiling is higher than I originally imagined, and trying to keep pushing it higher.
Oli: For some people, training becomes more than just shifting weights in the gym, and this can lead to benefits they didn’t expect to see in other aspects of their lives. Have you noticed a carry-over effect from your training into your life outside of Common Purpose?
The most immediate carry-over is obviously physical: the simple, tangible advantage of having a stronger, more athletic body. I notice it most clearly in the everyday moments, like playing with and lifting my children without a second thought.
The more profound shift has been in my internal awareness. Training is a bit of a ‘guiding star’ for the other pillars of my health: nutrition, sleep, and general movement. While the demands of a city like London and the joyful chaos of parenting young children mean my lifestyle is rarely ‘perfect’ from a health perspective, the training acts as a stabilizing force. It creates a level of consciousness that prevents other areas of my life from slipping too far off the rails.
Oli: Finally, and potentially most importantly, with the nearing AI apocalypse and the threat of robots taking over, which two coaches of our team would you pick for your survival squad? And more importantly, why?
If the machines finally rise, my survival strategy is built on two specific tactical advantages: Rob and Tiago.
The Strategic Reach (Rob): You need a long reach and a meticulous eye for detail in a crisis. Rob’s fastidiousness for order ensures our camp stays organized, while his physical wingspan provides a distinct defensive advantage. He’s the ‘Systems Architect’ of the squad.
The Infiltration Specialist (Tiago): When things get tight—literally—you need Tiago. His combination of raw strength and speed and the unique ability to navigate confined spaces makes him the ultimate scout. If there’s a supply run or a narrow escape involved, he’s the one leading the way.
Between Rob’s disciplined structure and Tiago’s agile versatility, I like our odds against the robots.
