Dr Steve James is at the forefront of Metabolic Health and Performance Medicine in the UK. He works closely with a select group of individuals to assess, enhance, and future-proof their wellbeing. His expertise lies in preventing ill-health and unlocking optimal physical and cognitive performance.
"Your health is interconnected. Sleep, nutrition, stress, movement, emotions—each influences the others. My goal is to optimise these connections for lasting benefit."
Unlike conventional approaches that focus only on symptoms, Steve recognises that stress, mindset, and emotional resilience together with metabolic health form the foundation of lasting change. The ability to regulate stress biology—from cortisol levels to autonomic balance—can determine whether someone thrives or struggles.
His work extends beyond physical optimisation to reframing thought patterns, improving stress resilience, and helping clients shift into states that promote healing, clarity, and peak performance.
Steve holds consultant positions in Critical Care at King's College Hospital and Metabolic Health at UCLH. Over seven years running a fatigue clinic, he saw first-hand how psychological stress, poor nutrition and lack of restorative rest manifest as chronic illness, burnout, and metabolic dysfunction.
He pioneered the UK’s first private hospital programme for enhanced post-surgical recovery, integrating psychological and physiological strategies for faster healing. He now leads a metabolic health initiative for stroke patients, where the link between neurological recovery, mindset, and metabolic repair is critical.
His qualifications in psychotherapy, cognitive health, and sleep medicine provide him with a unique ability to support mental and emotional resilience alongside physical recovery. He has also taught meditation and breathwork retreats, equipping clients with practical tools to shift their physiology and unlock better energy, mood, and focus.
To find out more, or to arrange an appointment please call 0203 195 2442.
Secretary details:
Laura Stockford
020 3824 9921
james@fortiusclinic.com
Practice location:
Fortius Clinic London
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Steve develops a detailed health profile through comprehensive consultations, targeted diagnostics, and personalised goal-setting. His assessments include:
To move beyond guesswork, testing is selected based on actionability—guiding specific, high-impact interventions that drive real results. These may include:
"By understanding how psychological and biological factors interact, we can take precise, strategic action for long-term improvement."
This data-driven, whole-person approach enables clear priorities, tailored interventions, and measurable progress. Clients can continue their journey with a 3-6 month bespoke coaching and consultation programme, where psychological strategies are as integral as nutritional and exercise interventions.
Many individuals work with Steve after a diagnosis like high blood pressure or diabetes. Others feel their health or physique is slipping, or that conventional healthcare isn’t addressing their deeper needs.
But many high performers—executives, athletes, professionals—also come to Steve not because they are unwell, but because they know they can be better.
They recognise that stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and mental fatigue aren’t just obstacles—they are signals. And addressing them unlocks greater energy, cognition, and resilience.
At Fortius, Steve works alongside orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists to refine recovery, enhance surgical outcomes, and support long-term musculoskeletal health. Areas of focus include:
Dr James accepts referrals from consultant colleagues and healthcare professionals, and individuals can self-refer. While private insurance does not yet cover this level of advanced, cross-specialty care, clients find the investment invaluable for their long-term health and performance.
Practice Locations:
Fortius Clinic London
Fortius Clinic City
In 2024, I went to Fortius to see Dr Jonathan Rees about my gout. During the appointment, I mentioned Peter Attia and asked if there was a way to also tackle my high blood pressure and kidney issues. Dr Rees suggested I speak to Dr Steve James.
At my first consultation, Dr James really listened. Not just to my symptoms, but to me—my lifestyle, my challenges, my goals. It felt different from any medical appointment I’d had before. We talked through what was going on with my health, what might be causing it, and what we could do about it. He suggested a full health assessment, looking at things I’d never even considered. I was really interested, but I hesitated—this wasn’t covered by insurance. I asked to speak to someone who’d already done it, and after hearing their experience, I decided to go ahead.
Eye-Opening Testing
The testing at the start was thorough—more than I expected. I had:
When the results came back, it was a wake-up call. I wasn’t just dealing with gout—I was also pre-diabetic and had liver inflammation. My blood pressure wasn’t just a random issue; it was all linked.
The Turning Point
At first, I struggled to make the changes we talked about. But the real breakthrough came when we worked on my sleep. I didn’t realise how much my poor sleep was holding me back. Once I started sleeping better, I had more energy and felt motivated to improve my diet, exercise, and daily routine.
The best part? I had direct contact with Dr James whenever I needed support or had a question. This wasn’t just about seeing a doctor once and being left to figure it out—I had ongoing guidance.
The Results
Six months later, everything had changed. I had lost 7kg, my blood pressure had returned to normal, and my pre-diabetes had reversed. My gout was improving, my energy levels were higher, and I finally felt in control of my health.
What This Means for Me
At 55, I feel better now than I have in years. I’m sharper at work, which helps me deal with the relentless pressure, and I have more energy at home—which means everything to me. I have young children and I want to be fully present for them.
I’m really glad Fortius is offering this kind of care. It’s not something I’ve found anywhere else, and it’s made a huge difference to my life.