LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

BY LOUISE MAY

In the barbering world, few stories resonate as powerfully as that of James Fulton AKA @jimmy.fadez, an extraordinary barber from Columbus, Ohio in the USA. His journey from aspiring athlete to successful barber and educator is a testament to resilience and determination. After a life-altering injury, Jimmy faced challenges that would test anyone’s resolve, but his love for barbering became his sanctuary, turning adversity into opportunity.

Growing up around barbershops, Jimmy developed a passion for the craft early on, though his path initially led him to college athletics. A pivotal decision to leave behind a football scholarship led him to a career in barbering. However, a devastating spinal injury redefined his life and mission.

In this interview with Barbershop Editor Louise May, Jimmy shares his journey, the moments that shaped his career, and his commitment to living life to the fullest. He reflects on his approach to life and work, inspiring others to adopt a resilient and positive mindset. His passion for barbering, the impact of his injury, and his vision for a future filled with determination, faith, and an unbreakable spirit.

Jimmy, can you please tell us about your life growing up and how you got into barbering, and what inspired you?

Growing up I had always been in the barbershop. It all started when I found out my little league football coach was a barber and offered to put any type of designs in my hair that I wanted; stars, numbers, sport team’s logos, anything! He was very talented. That’s when I found a love for the barbershop, but never thought of being a barber myself.

I actually wanted to be a physical therapist from a very young age and have the opportunity to work on athletes. In 2019 I graduated high school and was living any athlete's dream of going to college on an athletic scholarship (football to be exact).

But it only took me one semester to realise the school was just not for me…. I had this feeling that barbering could work out. I was lying in my dorm and started running numbers and thinking about this as a career and had this strong feeling that I could just make this work. So that’s just what I did! I dropped out and took a chance.

February 3rd, 2020, I started barber school and from the beginning, I just fell in love with it. I graduated from school on March 12, 2021, got my license on June 14, 2021, and started in the shop the following day.

Can you tell us about your injury? What happened, and how it has affected you?

October 19, 2022, is the scariest, most painful, life-changing day of my life. I woke up late this particular morning, around 5:30 am. I say late because it was usually 4:30 am. My body fought me so hard from going to the gym this day. I always woke up and got to the gym by 5am and that’s how I started my day.

But this day in particular my body was fighting me. It was raining hard outside, all the signs said to stay home. But I left anyway. I ended up turning around because I forgot something at home, then got back on the road and got to the gym around 6am. The first exercise I had to do that day was a weighted squat on the Smith machine. On my last set, my spine snapped and I collapsed, being crushed by all the weight.

I was rushed to the closest trauma centre which happened to be just 2 blocks away where I underwent emergency surgery. Come to find out I broke my spine at the T-11/T-12 area and I suffered a spinal cord injury. When the injury happened in the gym, I didn’t feel it break, I just knew I collapsed and had no movement. The pain didn’t set in until my friends at the gym got the weight off me and I fell flat onto my back. It was a pain like no other.

The injury has caused me to have no movement from my belly button down and affects many other things like my bowel and bladder and causing me to take pain medication 3 times a day. I can still drive and live my life just the way I did before, it just looks a little different.

Your motto is “Standing up or sitting down you are going to live life to the fullest”, and your outlook on life is so positive. Can you tell us what your mission is around this?

Standing up or sitting down I’m going to live my life to the fullest because I just can’t see my life any other way than successful. I got dealt a tough hand but that’s because I’m the one that’s crazy enough to believe that either way, I’m going to accomplish everything I have set out for myself. I try to view it as this didn’t happen TO me, but it happened FOR me. I owe it to my parents for the way that they’ve raised me.

They developed me into believing that I can have whatever I want in this life, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Just because my legs don’t work, doesn’t mean I can’t live, it’s just forced me to slow down a little, which truthfully is what I needed to do anyways. I really love barbering and there’s no other job I’m going to work, so I just had to figure it out. If you want something bad enough in life you will do whatever it takes to have it. And truthfully, bills don’t stop.

My family isn’t going to be around forever to take care of me, so I need to continue to build my own empire and chasing my dreams. I want to retire my family, and the job isn’t going to get done if I lay in bed and feel sorry for myself. As much as lying in bed sounds amazing some days, it just simply isn’t the answer.

What do you love most about Barbering?

Barbering is my escape from all the bad things that go on in my life. The physical and mental pain I endure on a daily basis, barbering is my outlet. That’s my favourite part.

Can you tell us about your Barber Business and how long have you been in business?

I started my own business in November of 2023. Things weren’t working out with the Barbershop I was working in after my injury happened, so I decided to just open my own studio, and business has never been better. I wouldn’t have wanted it to work out any other way. I work 5-6 hours a day and I am fully booked most days.

You had a brace & frame made to enable you to stand up and be supported so you could get back to cutting hair (which is insanely amazing!) can you tell us about this?

I initially had KAFO braces made just so I could stand and work on walking using my hips. Then an idea came to have a standing frame made so I could stand and work because sitting and cutting hair was just too hard. So, my parents built me a custom standing frame so I could get back to what I enjoyed doing. It took a few months to get it finished and get all the specs figured out, but when it was finished it fit perfectly to me and I had never been so happy to get back to work.

You are an Educator/Ambassador for L3V3L3, can you tell us about this role and what it entails?

In May I attended the CT Barber Expo, because Jay Majors invited me out. When I was there, I was introduced to the LV3 CEO. We got to talking, and he said that they would lover to bring me on to the team, and I was ecstatic! We went to dinner, and I got introduced to more of the team, and by the time I got home I had a contract. My parents built me a second standing frame and shipped it to LV3 headquarters so that any show I’m needed at, they have one ready to ship for me.

They inform me on what shows to be at, and I hop on a flight and get there. I’m expected to continuously educate myself on their products, so that when it’s time to hop on stage, I’m ready to educate. My favourite thing about it all though, is that they allow me to be me.

I don’t have to only talk about products on stage, I have a story to tell, so I can tell it. I can count on them to be there for anything. If they say they are going to be somewhere or do something, no questions about it, they will be there and get things done. It’s a family!

What is on the agenda for you for the next 12 months – 2 years?

I would love to open my first Barbershop. But planning too far ahead isn’t something I like doing. I’ve learned that your life could change tomorrow. I once heard a quote that goes, “if you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans”. This is God’s timing, not mine. I just take life one day at a time put the rest in his hands.

@jimmy.fadez