Dr. James Fleming
Performance Nutritionist
CAREER OVERVIEW
PLAYING CAREER
INTERNATIONAL CAREER
COACHING CAREER
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Dr James Fleming is an experienced Performance Nutritionist and Senior Lecturer at St Mary’s University, London, where he manages the MSc in Applied Sports Nutrition. His professional focus is on supporting athletes and their support networks, including parents, guardians, and coaches to optimise health, wellbeing, and performance. With doctoral research centred on adolescent athletes, James has developed specialist expertise in this area and continues to contribute to the field as an active researcher.
James’s academic and professional work has had a significant impact on the development of young athletes at the highest level. His research into nutrition for adolescent athletes, the impact of nutritional strategies on performance, and the dietary habits of elite athletes has been widely published. This expertise has informed his applied work, particularly with athletes preparing for international competition.
Alongside his academic role, James provides nutrition services to athletes across a wide range of sports and levels, from recreational participants to elite professionals. His applied experience includes working with governing bodies and professional athletes in rugby, football, tennis, and athletics. He has notably served as Lead Performance Nutritionist for the England RFU Women’s Under 20 Programme and for Harlequins Women RFC.
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In addition, James is an ISAK Level 3 Instructor Anthropometrist and delivers body composition courses nationwide. He has extensive experience in conducting accurate body composition assessments for athletes across multiple sports, providing essential insights to guide performance and development.
James is passionate about integrating science and practice to deliver meaningful support for athletes. His philosophy is built on the belief that nutrition is not only about fuelling performance but also about enhancing health and wellbeing for long-term success. By working closely with athletes and their wider support networks, James ensures his guidance is both practical and sustainable, helping individuals perform at their best while maintaining balance in their daily lives.