The Resilient Life- The Art Of Ageing Strong
John Uttley on Resilience, Health, and the Mindset That Carries You Through Pressure
Welcome to The Resilient Life, the podcast for people who want to stay healthy, capable, and strong through every stage of life. I’m Chris Deavin, and in this show we explore the habits, mindset, and resilience it takes to keep performing at a high level, especially as we get older. In this guest podcast, I speak with John Uttley. Some people don’t just survive pressure, they learn how to move through it without losing themselves. John Uttley shares the hard-earned perspective behind a life in high-stakes finance, a long career in the UK electricity industry, and the habits that helped him stay strong, active, and grounded into later life. Raised in post-war Lancashire, educated at Oxford, and rising quickly to finance director and deputy chief executive of the Central Electricity Generating Board, John brings a rare view of change from the inside. He lived through austerity, the miners’ strike, privatisation, and the relentless demands of leadership, and he explains how those experiences shaped his understanding of resilience, work, and wellbeing. You'll discover: Why sport became more than fitness for John - it became social connection, mental reset, and a practical way to cope with change How football, cricket, walking, the gym, and even dogs helped him stay active without chasing extremes What it was like carrying major responsibility through the stress of industry upheaval and why he thinks some people have “another gear” How upbringing, environment, and mindset shape resilience long before adulthood Why his view of success has shifted from status and ambition to perspective, usefulness, and living well We also break down the tension between modern comfort and older forms of toughness, why too many people back away the moment change gets uncomfortable, and what younger generations might learn from a mindset built on getting on with it rather than waiting for perfect conditions. John also reflects on writing later in life, including his trilogy and standalone novel, and why storytelling still matters when it helps even a few readers feel seen. It’s a thoughtful conversation about ageing, discipline, family, faith, and the quiet value of keeping going. Essential listening if you care about longevity, resilience, and building a meaningful life without being ruled by stress.
