Jim Georgiou Q&A: “Without routine, I would fall apart”
Jim Georgiou talks bodybuilding injuries, mentality, routines, sacrifices, social media pressure and why he still trains with the same intensity decades into the sport
By Gary Chappell
JIM GEORGIOU has built a reputation as one of the most recognisable physiques on the UK bodybuilding scene.
The PCA Pro recently added a NABBA Pro Card to his collection and continues to compete at a high level despite injuries, wear and tear and decades in the sport.
In this FrontDouble Q&A, Georgiou discusses bodybuilding, discipline, grief, routines, injuries, social media pressure and why he believes routine is essential to keeping him grounded, ahead of his participation in the PCA Universe this weekend [May 23/24, 2026].
1: What first drew you to bodybuilding?
As a kid I use to watch WWF and seeing the likes of The Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Legion of Doom and others like The Warlord, I wanted to be massive and strong like them.
Therefore that naturally made me interested in weight training and bodybuilding. Soon after this, I came across a VHS video of eight-time Mr Olympia Lee Haney – and after watching it I was totally hooked. So I started buying more and than came across Pumping Iron which is the GOAT of all bodybuilding movies.
The Flex mags too. I never missed a copy. I used to read them over and over to learn as much as I could!
2: What’s your 'why'? What keeps you pushing through hard preps and off-seasons?
Pure self satisfaction. I absolutely love the hard work and discipline that goes into it. I need routine. Without routine I would fall apart.
3: How would you describe your relationship with your body today?
Hit and miss. I’m older now. I have lots of wear and tear. It’s not so easy now. I suffer from Carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis in the knees, cartilage damage, which is irreversible. Both my lower pecs have huge muscle deterioration, which in a lot of front shots ruins my look.
Three ruptured discs on the back but I manage all these very well to the point where I’m still able to keep going.
The good points are I’m far more balanced now compared to before and I have some very good attributes, particularly when it comes to muscle mutuality, density and conditioning – especially from the rear.
4: Was there a turning point where you started to see yourself as an athlete, not just a gym-goer?
I’ve been an athlete since I was six years old. I used to play football and was very good at it. I was semi-pro level but was never good enough to be a pro footballer. I used to do track and field and participated in the 100m, 200m and 400m. I broke every record in Southgate School in those events.
All these sports certainly contributed to weight training and bodybuilding, as my strength and conditioning was at a good level and only got better and better through lifting weights.
5: What’s something people often misunderstand about you, or about bodybuilding in general?
I’m pretty intimidating to look at and most people are scared to approach me. But when they do they are always surprised to see that I’m actually not like that – but only after training that is.
I absolutely hate people coming up to me when I’m training – and especially in prep. These people genuinely have no idea about competitive bodybuilding. When you see someone like that just let them be and let them do their thing.
6: How do you mentally handle show-day nerves or physique comparisons?
Absolutely never phases me. I never get nervous for a show. I’m so relaxed and chilled.
Also, I don’t look at this person or that person. My only focus was and will always be the best me on stage. You win some, you lose some. That’s bodybuilding.
7: What does your ideal off-season look like, mentally and physically?
Back in the day, I use to get up to 320-330lbs. That is absolutely not optimal now for me. I stay a little under 300lbs now and that gives me a decent-ish look with blood markers in a decent position and blood pressure at a nice stable level.
8: What sacrifices have you had to make to chase this goal?
Missed a ton of family events and gatherings through my life. A lot of failed relationships. Silly amount of money spent. But on the flip side I’ve made a huge living doing this too and I'm now settled down with someone, as she shares the same passions as I do.
9: If you weren’t bodybuilding, where do you think your focus would be?
I still do security but I would have probably put everything into owning and running my own security firm.
10: Is there a quote, book, or philosophy you live by – inside or outside of bodybuilding?
Lee Haney
“If you don't train, you won't gain and your body will remain the same.”
11: What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever overcome, in life or in sport?
We’ve all had some tough moments in sports but compared to life that means nothing. I’ve dealt with a lot of grief in life, over the last two years especially.
12: How do you unwind or reset when you’re not training or dieting?
Even in off-season I have a structured diet and eat the same food everyday. I may have an off-plan meal once or twice a week if that. I don’t miss workouts ever so can’t answer that one!
13: How has bodybuilding changed your view of confidence, discipline, or self-worth?
Doing bodybuilding gives you no option other than to be confident and disciplined. I mean, to go on stage with trunks on posing to hundreds of people watching, as well with everything being shared online, you just have to be confident to put it out there. If not then you shouldn’t do this sport. Without discipline you will absolutely never get your best look, because those who fail will most likely fail the diet and cheat most of time. Then wonder why they look how they do on stage – and blame the coach!
14: What is your current training split and why?
Bro split. I’ve done every training split there is a d I get on the best with this one. I like to annihilate each body from all angles and rep ranges.
15: Do you feel pressure to always look a certain way outside of prep?
Absolutely not. Because of instagram, most people want to stay super lean year round and ultimately that hinders you from progressing. I’d rather do what’s needed outside prep to improve for the competitive season, rather than staying super lean year round just to get extra likes on social media.
16: Have your relationships (friends, family, dating) changed because of your lifestyle?
A little. When you are so busy in life you do tend to see, or message friends and family a lot less. However ,they mostly do the same anyway so goes both ways!
17: Can you give us one of your favourite prep meals and one of your favourite off-season meals?
Easy one, favourite prep meal is steak and eggs. Favourite off-season meal is steak & eggs!
18: What’s next for you; as an athlete, as a person, or both?
As an athlete I’ve got a few shows I will doing in the near future, the last show which has been planned from day one is the NPC Italy pro qualifier [European Masters] in November.
I’m also fixing up my new house and it’s a big project. It will take several months before it’s fully finished.
As a person it’s simple, be better than I was yesterday!
19: Who inspires you and why? Could be in bodybuilding or beyond.
Oleksandr Usyk. He’s the GOAT. The way he conducts himself in life. Just everything he does, will never be anyone like him!
20: If you could send one message to your younger self, what would it be?
You are going to fail a lot. It’s not a sign to stop, just learn from it and be better.
ALL official NABBA South East images are the copyright of James Lineham Media. These and other images can be purchased by contacting James here: JAMES LINEHAM MEDIA
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