January always feels like the nation collectively comes up for air after December — a little rounder, a little slower, a little unsure whether we’re meant to be doing life-admin or hibernating. And yet, beneath all that, January carries the unmistakable sense of a reset. A clean slate. A gentle nudge forward.
This year, I’m starting January feeling unusually energised — all thanks to two men who took centre stage at our recent BCA conference: Joe Wicks and Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.
Hosting the conference as British Chiropractic Association President is always a privilege, but this year felt special. Inspirational. A reminder of the power of movement, mindset, community… and sheer human grit…also we celebrated an amazing 100 years of Chiropractic in the UK!
Joe Wicks: Kindness, Movement, and the Power of Small Habits
Interviewing Joe was an absolute pleasure. On stage, he exuded the same warmth he does on screen — grounded, kind, funny, open. There wasn’t a hint of ego; just genuine passion for helping people move, eat well, and look after their minds.
What struck me most was how aligned he is with everything we believe in as chiropractors.
After a quick ‘PE with Joe’, we talked about:
- Movement as medicine — not punishing workouts, but joyful, accessible activity for everyone
- Nutrition that fuels rather than restricts — and his own shift away from ultra-processed foods
- Sleep as the foundation stone of good health
- Mental wellbeing — how movement, structure and self-care keep him on track
- Simplicity over perfection — one good decision at a time, repeated
Joe’s approach is refreshingly real. No “New year, new you” nonsense. Just the idea that small habits done consistently will change your life. And hearing that from someone who has inspired millions felt like the perfect springboard into the New Year.
He had the whole room smiling, nodding and — I’ll be honest — feeling ready to lace up their trainers. For a profession built on movement, it felt like a shared moment of clarity.
Eddie the Eagle: Resilience, Humour, and a Story That Stays With You
Now… Eddie.
Before the conference, I’d say half the room were buzzing to hear him speak and the other half were quietly thinking, “Really? Eddie the Eagle?”
But by the end? 100% of delegates were captivated.
Hearing his story “from the horse’s mouth” was something else entirely. You could feel the room shift.
His journey — from a plasterer in Gloucester to Britain’s most iconic Olympian and, later, a household name — is nothing short of extraordinary. What inspired everyone wasn’t the ski jumps or the fame; it was the grit. The relentless belief that he belonged on that starting line. The willingness to be underestimated, mocked, written off… and still keep going.
Eddie talked about:
- resilience in the face of absolute brick walls
- pursuing a dream even when no one understands it
- embracing who you are — quirks, failures and all
- the joy of doing something simply because you love it
By the end, the whole room was hanging on every word. It turned sceptics into superfans. And it reminded every single person there — myself included — that motivation isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, stubborn and deeply personal.
Bringing Their Lessons Into the New Year
Between Joe’s practical wisdom and Eddie’s extraordinary journey, this year’s conference felt like a masterclass in New Year motivation — the real kind, the sustainable kind.
Here’s what I’m taking forward, and what I’d love our patients to take with them too:
1. Move with joy
Not punishment, not pressure — joy.
A short walk, a stretch, a class with a friend. Joe’s right: it’s the small bits of movement that change everything.
2. Eat to nourish, not to restrict
Less ultra-processed food. More real food. More awareness. Not perfection — progress.
3. Sleep like your health depends on it
Because it does. Prioritise the wind-down, the routine, the chance to let your body repair.
4. Be kind to your mind
Joe spoke beautifully about mental wellbeing. Movement, structure, nature, connection — these are medicine too.
5. Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of
If Eddie can jump off a 90-metre slope with a grin… you can stretch, strengthen, walk more, start new habits, or make positive changes this year.
6. You don’t need to do it alone
Even Olympians and global fitness icons have teams, supporters, communities.
And you have us.
A New Year Invitation From Cleve Chiropractic
At Cleve, we’re proud to be part of your health journey — whether you’re trying to get back to regular movement, recovering from injury, building better habits, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again after winter.
January isn’t about reinvention.
It’s about recalibration.
Reconnection.
Renewed purpose.
And thanks to Joe and Eddie, I’m heading into 2025 reminded of just how capable people truly are — especially when they feel supported, understood and encouraged.
So here’s to a year of small wins, resilient spirits, stronger bodies and healthier minds.
Happy New Year — let’s make it a brilliant one.
— Tim
President, British Chiropractic Association
Clinic Director, Cleve Chiropractic
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash
