I've been a personal trainer based in Amsterdam for over 10 years. Like many young boys, my athletic start began with dreams of being a football player. But my love for the sport at age 15 resulted in injuries. It was then I transitioned to martial arts, which also introduced me to the world of strength training.
In my early to mid-20s, I worked in restaurant kitchens all over Amsterdam. I never stopped training, but I also drank like a fish, ate like a teenager, and had a chaotic sleep schedule.
Since then, I've seen every fitness trend come and go (while taking part in some of them and regretting it). Eventually, I woke up and figured out what actually works: evidence-based training that I personalized for myself. And the importance of the three pillars, which at their core are exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
After 20 years of working out, I try to tell my clients why we do what we do instead of just bossing them around. Building the body you want isn’t just about lifting weights and counting reps; it’s a mental game too. If we tackle both, we’re going to see some epic results.
Here’s to building your body and lifelong lifestyle that will make you enjoy your life to the fullest.
Proust!
Jim Heij, Co-Founder of Build a Body
Let’s get personal
Hello! I’m Jim's marketing sidekick and co-founder of Build a Body! My fitness journey started during the pandemic. We all looked for freedom where we could find it during that time, and I found mine running through London's quiet streets.
When I moved to Amsterdam in 2020, I wanted to keep up my fitness, especially because everyone here looked like they had just stepped off a catwalk! As soon as I could, I signed up for a transformation program and managed to lose a good portion of my body fat in a few months. But the results left me torn. On one hand, I was slender; on the other, I looked in the mirror and barely recognized myself. I felt like I'd been swapped out for a CGI version of me.
When I moved to the East, I decided it was time for a fresh start. I needed a trainer who wouldn't just throw a one-size-fits-all plan at me but would actually listen to my goals. That's when I found Jim. His encyclopedic knowledge of fitness fads, science-backed training, and expert advice made me rethink my whole approach. When you're impatient for results, you can forget that you're actually building something.
As one of Jim’s current personal training clients, I wanted to give you confidence in knowing that you’ll see results, that you’ll create and craft an enduring body and lifestyle, and that you’ll have a lot of fun along the way! Here’s to your incredible journey.
Suz Pathmanathan, Co-Founder of Build a Body
