Staff Spotlight - Ollie James
For this month’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Sport and Fitness Lecturer - Ollie James - who has worked at Perth College UHI for over a year now. His colleagues describe him as a very funny guy - who dresses up as a dinosaur for team meetings - as well as hard working, conscientious, and caring towards his students. Ollie gives us an insight into his job roles, and his particular dislike of cheese.
Tell us about yourself?
Ollie James. I’m originally from a town near Hull, called Beverley. I moved just outside of Perth when I was 12, and moved to Dundee for College at 18. I’m still in Dundee now.
What is your role at Perth College UHI?
I’m a Lecturer in Sport and Fitness. I do a bit of teaching for all our pathways (Rehabilitation, Fitness and Sport), but I’m not involved in the outdoor programme. The majority of what I teach is based around exercise physiology; biomechanics; nutrition; coaching in sport; strength and conditioning; and research (mainly in the form of a dissertation supervisor). On campus, I also spend time tinkering in the sports science laboratory – I’m really missing this.
What’s the best part of your job?
My job is basically my hobby and my normal pastime. I work with, and teach those, who share these same passions and interests. Our students are very nice people, and every staff member I have encountered at Perth College UHI is very nice. I really miss my daily trip to Webster to get a coffee and speak to the staff there.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
I think cheese is awful, and don’t get why people put it on everything. Unless it’s on pizza - but if a pizza is too cheesy, I will hate it. I don’t understand how people eat a block of cheese, especially stilton - it’s awful.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Massively into field hockey, weightlifting and generally improving as an athlete. I do also like to spend time doing what would be considered “retro” gaming. I have my Nintendo 64 from when I was nine, hooked up to my tv and I still play on it.
Favourite type of food?
This will sound strange, but I am addicted to Weetos (the cereal). I can’t stop eating it. If I was to go to a restaurant, I would order anything Italian or seafoody.
Favourite holiday destination, and why?
Florida. No one has ever had a bad holiday to Florida. It is such a fun place. I can never have a beach, or sit by the pool, relaxing holiday. I always need to be doing something.
Where would you like to go, when it is safe to travel again?
I am part Italian, and I’ve not been to Italy for a few years now. I would like to take my wife and show her where my family came from.
Favourite book?
No favourite book, but I am a 90’s kid and so I have naturally read all the Harry Potter books.
Have you been reading any good books?
I spend most of my time reading textbooks or research articles. I don’t really have an interest in reading a book at the moment.
Favourite TV show or film?
Anything Start Wars related. Favourite TV shows that are not Star Wars related are, Scrubs and The Office (USA version).
Have you been watching any good tv shows/films?
Disney+ came about as lockdown happened. During this time, I have watched every Marvel film. Occasionally watched The Greatest Showman, whenever I needed a wee lift.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer. I watched Miracle on 34th Street and liked how the lawyer helped Santa and other people (hopefully not a spoiler). I told a teacher this in primary school and was told I couldn’t be a lawyer because I am dyslexic. I do wonder if this is why I wanted to get into education - so that I could help students, instead of telling them they can’t do something.
If you were a super-hero, what type of powers would you have?
Nothing major, probably have the ability to remember what my wife says. Or to shut that part off in my brain when I am trying to sleep at night and my brain decides to bring up an embarrassing memory from when I was five.
First thing you would do if you won £1 million?
Plan a mega holiday.
Who, or what, inspires you?
Nothing in particular. I like to surround myself with positive nice people. This tends to motivate me to do what I want to do.
What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
“Never eat shredded wheat.” Still live by this, to find what direction to go.
Happiest memory?
Asking my wife to marry me.
And most embarrassing?
Asking my wife to marry me.
What else were you doing during the strange year of 2020, to keep busy?
Tried to keep hockey running for my hockey club. Set myself a target to run 5km in under 20 minutes. I need another lockdown period to drop the 5km run time below 18 minutes. More excitingly, my wife and I got a dog (chocolate lab) - who is a great teaching assistant.
