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  • Three Years Bedridden, Then Burnistoun, Outlander and Beyond: Kirsty Strain’s Comeback | Episode 38

    Three Years Bedridden, Then Burnistoun, Outlander and Beyond: Kirsty Strain’s Comeback | Episode 38
    2025/12/15

    Kirsty Strain didn’t just find her voice, she rebuilt it from the ground up. From spending her teenage years bedridden with severe illness to performing on the Edinburgh Playhouse stage, starring in hit Scottish TV shows, and coaching leaders on communication, Kirsty’s journey is one of grit, healing, and finding purpose in the most unexpected places.

    In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kirsty to uncover the true story behind the actor, the coach, and the woman who refused to stay silent. From losing her childhood to chronic illness, to rebuilding her life inch by inch, literally relearning how to walk, speak, socialise, and trust herself. This conversation goes deep into resilience, identity, and what it means to finally accept who you are.

    Kirsty doesn’t just talk about confidence, she earned it the hard way. Whether she’s navigating getting knocked down by the flu during drama school, moving to New York with no safety net, or helping CEOs overcome imposter syndrome, every part of her story comes with raw honesty and powerful lessons you won’t forget.

    This episode is filled with vulnerability, Scottish humour, and life-changing insights about fear, communication, self-worth, and the moments that make us. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind in life, or struggled to find your voice, this one will hit home.

    Key moments include:

    ✔️ Growing up wild, confident, and carefree, until illness changed everything ✔️ Being bedridden from 17 and losing mobility, social skills, confidence, and identity ✔️ Relearning life: sitting up for 5 minutes, standing at the door, walking to the bus stop ✔️ The emotional toll on her and her parents, including misdiagnosis and financial strain ✔️ Returning to Scottish Youth Theatre and slowly rebuilding confidence ✔️ Getting into Oxford School of Drama and being forced to leave after illness struck again ✔️ Choosing New York anyway and discovering resilience through struggle ✔️ Landing roles in Taggart, Burnistoun, Outlander, River City, Annika, and more ✔️ The comedy show that helped her rediscover joy even while she secretly battled self-doubt ✔️ How COVID led to a major personal breakthrough and deep self-work ✔️ Why she shifted into voice and communication coaching ✔️ Understanding relationships, alignment, presence, and stripping away limiting beliefs ✔️ Helping leaders, actors, and everyday people overcome nerves, fear, and imposter syndrome ✔️ The Rocky philosophy that literally helped save her life ✔️ Her top three pieces of advice (including a powerful Rocky lesson)

    Follow James Fleming:

    LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

    Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast

    YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast

    Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

    Follow Kirsty Strain:

    Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kirstystrain/

    Website→ https://www.kirstystrain.com/

    Timestamps:

    [00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kirsty [00:44] Kirsty introduces herself: actor, voice coach, unexpected career path [02:25] The illness that changed everything, being bedridden at 17 [12:58] Relearning life: mobility, anxiety, rebuilding from zero [18:45] Youth theatre, college, and slowly stepping back into the world [20:24] Oxford School of Drama and the heartbreak of having to return home [22:00] Choosing New York despite fear, low confidence, and financial struggle [30:50] Returning to the UK and starting from scratch in the acting industry [32:30] Breakthroughs: Taggart, Burnistoun, River City, Outlander [37:58] The one-woman comedy show and the hidden battle with self-criticism [39:21] COVID, setback, and a major personal transformation [51:06] How her coaching methods emerged and why they work [53:10] Who she helps and why communication is about presence, not performance [59:10] Accepting nerves, reframing fear, and building real confidence [01:04:13] Kirsty’s top three life lessons [01:10:05] How to connect with Kirsty
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    1 時間 11 分
  • Redundant at 24, Building a Business Just a Few Years Later: Kieran Taylor’s Story | Episode 37

    Redundant at 24, Building a Business Just a Few Years Later: Kieran Taylor’s Story | Episode 37
    2025/12/08
    Kieran Taylor didn’t wait for certainty, he built his business in the middle of chaos. From being made redundant in Aberdeen’s oil crash to launching his own wealth advisory firm with zero clients, Kieran’s journey is all about backing yourself long before the results show up. And despite entering one of the most mistrusted industries in the UK, he set out to do it differently by putting people before products and fighting for the kind of business he believed in. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kieran to dig into the real story behind Welsh & Taylor Wealth. From redundancy at 24, to battling age prejudice, to fighting tooth and nail through regulatory hurdles, this one’s a powerful lesson in resilience, self-belief, and refusing to quit when things get uncomfortable. Kieran doesn’t just talk about building a business the right way he lives it. Whether it’s guiding clients through turbulence, rebuilding after setbacks, or clashing with mentors before finding harmony, he’s proof that growth happens when you stay committed, stay patient, and keep pushing even when it hurts. This episode is filled with raw honesty, Scottish humour, and proper real-world lessons for anyone trying to carve out a future on their own terms. Key moments include: ✔️ Getting pushed out of oil and gas during the crash and seeing it as a clean slate ✔️ Why he entered financial advice with zero experience and what instantly hooked him ✔️ The harsh reputation of the industry and how he set out to do things differently ✔️ Being 24, lacking credibility, and learning to overcome limiting beliefs ✔️ The early days of struggle: no clients, no clue, just a laptop and a suit ✔️ How niche expertise in oil and gas became their biggest advantage ✔️ His biggest business battle: fighting to go independent and doing 750+ pieces of client advice ✔️ The clash of personalities that nearly derailed his team early on ✔️ What he learned about ego, hiring, and knowing your weaknesses ✔️ Why resilience matters more than talent (and how football taught him that) ✔️ The Buddhist teaching that reframed how he views hardship ✔️ His long-term vision for the firm and the “Welsh & Taylor way” of financial planning ✔️ Why lifestyle planning beats “off-the-shelf” financial advice every time ✔️ The importance of honest conversations, knowing your numbers, and constant improvement ✔️ Kieran’s top 3 pieces of life and business advice simple, tough, and spot on Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built something real, pushed through the messy bits, and kept going long after others quit. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Kieran Taylor: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-taylor-3b672277/ Website → https://www.welshandtaylorwealth.co.uk/ Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and introduces today’s guest [00:48] Kieran introduces himself and the story behind Welsh & Taylor Wealth [02:15] The early advice James gave Kieran before launching the business [02:54] Redundancy in the oil crash the moment everything changed [04:01] Discovering financial advice with zero prior knowledge [05:06] The reality of starting with no clients and no roadmap [07:31] Why the financial advice industry has such a bad reputation [08:39] Overcoming age, credibility, and limiting beliefs [09:45] Niching into oil and gas and why it worked [11:30] The biggest challenge: fighting to go independent [12:34] The Buddhist lesson that reframed how Kieran handles hardship [15:22] Building recurring revenue from scratch [16:22] Learning what a “bad client” looks like [17:44] Becoming a dad and finding a new level of drive [19:07] Why reaching your full potential matters [20:51] Building a team: clashes, lessons, and hiring for strengths [24:04] Bringing in experts and letting go of ego [26:36] “Whether there’s a want to…” finding the how [30:35] The ‘Welsh & Taylor Way’ lifestyle financial planning [33:31] Why advice must be bespoke, not off-the-shelf [35:30] Why retirees often end up returning to work [38:42] What James would actually do in “retirement” [39:33] The two mentors who shaped James’s career [43:22] Owning mistakes, knowing your numbers, and constant improvement [45:17] Moving 750 clients over the scale of going independent [46:47] Keeping speed, service, and the “Amazon culture” [47:40] Adapt or die why evolution matters in business [50:04] Kieran’s top three pieces of advice for life and business [52:55] How to connect with Kieran
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    54 分
  • From Cage Fighting at 16 to Scotland’s Indie Film Uprising: The Real Story of Kyle McGuinness | Episode 36

    From Cage Fighting at 16 to Scotland’s Indie Film Uprising: The Real Story of Kyle McGuinness | Episode 36
    2025/12/01
    Kyle McGuinness didn’t wait for someone to hand him a role, he built his own path, picked up a camera, learned every skill he didn’t yet have, and carved out a place for himself in Scotland’s rising indie film scene. From primary school drama clubs to cage fighting at 16, selling DVDs in high school, working in construction, and eventually stepping back into acting through sheer persistence, Kyle’s journey is anything but linear. But every chapter, the discipline from martial arts, the entrepreneurial spirit, the graft, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt all shaped the filmmaker and actor he’s becoming today. In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kyle to unpack the real story behind Production Hoose and the years of graft that led to it. From shooting short films during lockdown and learning cinematography from scratch, to working on Bollywood sets, appearing on The Rig, building KMG Media, and pushing Scotland’s indie film industry forward, Kyle’s story is a lesson in taking action long before you feel ready. Kyle doesn’t just talk about opportunity, he creates the opportunities for himself. Whether it’s learning every role behind the camera, building a business to fund his own films, or refusing to let peer pressure or circumstance derail his passion a second time, he’s proof that resilience compounds when you stay on your path. This episode is full of real storytelling, Scottish humour, and honest insight into what it actually takes to keep going when nobody is coming to save you. Key moments include: ✔️ How Production Hoose began and why Kyle learned every part of filmmaking himself ✔️ Shooting his first short during the 48 Hour Film Festival ✔️ Leveling up to cinema-quality gear and submitting films to festivals ✔️ The childhood drama club that sparked everything ✔️ Peer pressure, leaving acting behind, and how martial arts shaped his discipline ✔️ Fighting MMA at 16 and how it built resilience ✔️ His early entrepreneurial side hustles ✔️ Re-entering acting, signing with an extras agency, and landing a Bollywood set moment ✔️ Appearing in The Rig and what it taught him about being on set ✔️ How KMG Media now funds their films and expands opportunities ✔️ The struggle of Scotland’s indie film scene and why he’s determined to help build a middle ground ✔️ The moment he knew filmmaking was his path and why he refuses to wait for permission ✔️ The three pieces of advice he’d give to anyone pursuing acting or film ✔️ James and Kyle’s shared belief in resilience, discipline, and never waiting for the “right time” Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who choose action over excuses. Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/ Follow Kyle McGuinness: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kylemcguinnessofficial Company Instagram Page → https://www.instagram.com/productionhoose Company Website → https://www.productionhoose.com Timestamps: [00:00] James opens the episode and introduces Kyle [00:54] Kyle explains how Production Hoose began [02:00] Learning filmmaking during lockdown and building skills from scratch [03:36] Making their first short and entering the 48 Hour Film Festival [04:37] Leveling up equipment and submitting films internationally [05:13] James compares Kyle’s journey to Concrete Jungle [06:22] Kyle on passion, collaboration, and learning the funding process [07:48] Why Kyle refuses crowdfunding [08:04] Creating KMG Media to fund their films [09:59] Going back to Kyle’s early years: drama club, family life and a supportive teacher [12:04] Peer pressure and stepping away from acting [12:37] MMA, discipline and early fights [13:47] A documentary idea he keeps under wraps [14:06] Working in business development and early entrepreneurship [15:58] Building something bigger than himself [16:47] Why Scotland needs a stronger indie film ecosystem [17:22] The moment acting called him back [18:34] Acting school and signing with an extras agency [19:02] Landing a Bollywood role by accident [21:32] Seeing the film with his dad before he passed [22:49] James shares his own extra experience on Star Wars [24:22] Kyle’s short appearance on The Rig [25:46] The mindset behind his resilience and persistence [27:02] Why he believes this is his path [28:21] James on confidence, fear, and learning through doing [29:55] Living like the person you want to become [31:37] James on his own journey and morning routines [38:05] Why Kyle refuses to give up on his path [39:53] The vision for Production Hoose and upcoming projects [40:50] Creating trailers to spark demand [42:44] How networking can create the “lucky...
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    52 分
  • A Brain Aneurysm, Bosses that Bully and a Big Wake-Up Call for Anne Hughes | Episode 35

    A Brain Aneurysm, Bosses that Bully and a Big Wake-Up Call for Anne Hughes | Episode 35
    2025/11/24

    Anne Hughes didn’t plan to become a consultant, or a speaker, or a radio host, or even an entrepreneur but life had other plans.

    After surviving a brain aneurysm in 2017 and enduring one of the worst bosses of her career, Anne made a life-altering decision: no more compromising, no more tolerating nonsense, and no more high heels for the sake of hierarchy.

    In this raw and energising episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anne to unpack what happens when you stop trying to fit in and start following your purpose. From being raised in a working-class family in Govan, to leading in the charity sector for nearly three decades, to walking away from the wrong people (even if it means losing the job), Anne’s story is packed with honesty, defiance, and a whole lot of wisdom.

    She shares how a brush with death completely rewired her mindset, why working with aligned people matters more than the pay check, and how she now helps organisations fix cultures from the inside out with humour, truth, and unapologetic authenticity.

    This one’s for the women who’ve been called “too much,” for the accidental entrepreneurs, and for anyone who’s ever had to walk away to find peace.

    Key moments include: ✔️ The aneurysm that changed everything and why Anne never saw life the same again ✔️ From corporate burnout to freedom: why she walked out and never looked back ✔️ Her ‘accidental’ leap into consulting and the boss that pushed her over the edge ✔️ Building a business on purpose, not pressure ✔️ Reclaiming her voice in rooms full of middle-class men ✔️ Why charity boards often miss the point and how to fix toxic governance ✔️ Why Anne never stays where she’s not valued and how you can do the same ✔️ The power of network, follow-up, and not taking things personally ✔️ The importance of bringing your full self- accent, attitude, and all

    Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations with people who’ve faced life’s toughest moments and chose to build anyway.

    Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

    Follow Anne Hughes: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/anne-hughes Website → https://www.annehughesignite.co.uk/

    Timestamps: [00:00] James welcomes Anne to the podcast [01:00] Who is Anne Hughes? A proud working-class woman on a mission [03:00] Finding her purpose and the influence of Wayne Dyer [07:00] Why she doesn't call herself an entrepreneur (but absolutely is one) [09:00] The brain aneurysm that flipped her life upside down [11:00] Leaving a toxic boss and how high heels played a part [13:00] Starting a freelance career… by accident [16:00] Why she never compromises on who she works with [17:30] Realising her media work and consultancy were the same journey [20:00] Abundance mindset: from poverty to possibilities [23:00] Coaching, consulting, radio shows, building a portfolio career [25:00] Thoughts on inequality in leadership [29:00] Why women have been taught to lead like men and the impact of Thatcher [33:00] The shift in male-dominated industries (and how more women are changing the conversation) [36:00] Losing her mum young and becoming the first in her family to go to university [39:00] Why she’ll never retire: staying on purpose for life [42:00] Culture over strategy and why bad leadership ruins good missions [45:00] Empowering teams starts with their own vision [47:00] Why she walks away from misaligned clients (and isn’t sorry) [50:00] Boardroom egos, good intentions, and governance gone wrong [52:00] What charities can learn from private sector leadership [54:00] The power of value alignment and standing firm in your identity [56:00] Anne’s top 3 pieces of advice, including the one thing she knows for sure
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    1 時間 1 分
  • When His Body Said “Enough”, Kevin Crawford Had to Rethink Everything | Episode 34

    When His Body Said “Enough”, Kevin Crawford Had to Rethink Everything | Episode 34
    2025/11/17

    Kevin Crawford doesn’t shout about success, he builds it slowly, steadily, and with a level of discipline most people never see.

    From starting out in his dad’s architecture practice at fourteen to running the company, navigating burnout, rebuilding his health, and eventually shifting the business into employee ownership, Kevin’s story is a lesson in how quiet leadership really works, no shortcuts, no hype. Just years of graft, learning, and figuring things out the hard way.

    In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kevin to dig into the long game- the mindset, the habits, the setbacks, and the constant improvements that shaped his career. They talk about what 25 years in a family business actually looks like, the moment a back injury forced him to stop and rethink everything, and why systems, structure, and self-development changed the entire trajectory of his life and business.

    Kevin also opens up about the shift from working 24/7 to finally building something sustainable: an architecture practice with strong foundations, a team he genuinely invests in, and an ecosystem of tools designed to help other architects avoid the mistakes he made.

    If you’re trying to grow without burning out, lead without shouting, or build something that lasts longer than your energy levels, this conversation will land.

    Key Moments:

    ✔️ Starting in the family business at 14 and learning the ropes ✔️ Why working harder wasn’t the answer (even though he tried) ✔️ The back injury that stopped him in his tracks and changed his mindset ✔️ Rebuilding his health from scratch, one walk, one step, one habit at a time ✔️ How systems, structure, and planning transformed his business ✔️ The power of taking real time out to think, plan, and reset ✔️ Introducing employee ownership and giving the whole team a future ✔️ Why accountability, mentors, and the 1% rule matter more than talent ✔️ The thinking behind his new architecture app and support ecosystem ✔️ Kevin’s three pieces of advice for anyone in business for the long haul

    Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more honest conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and underdogs who’ve kept going when others gave up.

    Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

    Follow Kevin Crawford: LinkedIn → Kevin Crawford

    Company Website → https://crawfordarchitecture.co.uk/

    Email → kevin@crawfordarchitecture.co.uk

    Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and intro, James introduces Kevin Crawford [02:00] Leaving university, joining the industry, and learning by doing [04:30] Taking the leap into business and why timing doesn’t need to be perfect [07:00] Building Crawford Architecture and securing early clients [10:00] Funding developments and the weight of financial pressure [16:00] Gowth, and why you can’t wait for the perfect time [18:00] Partnering with the right people and building trust over transactions [22:00] What legacy means to Kevin and why the work speaks louder than words [25:00] Advice for entrepreneurs who are in it for the long haul [28:00] Final thoughts, values, and keeping perspective at every level
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Scottish GOAT or TikTok Villain? The Truth About Caz Milligan | Episode 33

    Scottish GOAT or TikTok Villain? The Truth About Caz Milligan | Episode 33
    2025/11/10

    Caz Milligan didn’t wait for permission, he built his own spotlight.

    From TikTok virality to launching Scotland’s biggest influencer boxing event, Caz’s journey is nothing short of wild. But behind the flashy content and online persona is a lad who’s been doubted his whole life and used it as fuel to prove every single one of them wrong.

    In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Caz to unpack the real story behind the headlines. From childhood setbacks and school suspensions to £50k event losses and viral wins, this one’s a masterclass in resilience, self-belief, and making it happen even when the odds are stacked against you.

    Caz doesn’t just talk about chasing your dreams, he lives it. Whether it’s creating his own boxing promotion after getting rejected, building a six-figure influencer agency, or turning hate into hype, Caz shows what’s possible when you stop waiting and start creating.

    This episode is full of raw truth, proper Scottish humour, and real lessons for anyone tired of making excuses.

    Key moments include: ✔️ The viral TikTok moment that changed everything (yes, it involved chocolate cream) ✔️ Why he launched his own boxing event and what went wrong (twice) ✔️ Dealing with haters, weight mismatches, and massive event pressure ✔️ How his dad’s boxing career (and trauma) shaped his mindset ✔️ The real reason his relationship ended and why it mattered ✔️ Why giving opportunities to others is what drives him now ✔️ His thoughts on failure, money, and making your childhood dream reality ✔️ The truth about influence, trust, and selling online ✔️ What he learned losing nearly £80k and why he’s still going ✔️ His top 3 tips for anyone trying to build a name for themselves

    Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, rebuilt, and kept going long after everyone else gave up.

    Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → Success or Excuses Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

    Follow Caz Milligan: Instagram → @cazmilligan TikTok → @cazmilligan YouTube → Caz Milligan

    Timestamps: [00:00] Intro, James welcomes Caz and sets the tone [01:00] Who is Caz Milligan? Building a brand from scratch [03:00] Going viral over chocolate cream & riding the TikTok wave [06:00] The boxing dream, organising events, and fighting through setbacks [10:00] Facing haters, trolls, and becoming their “TV show” villain [13:00] The reality of chasing dreams in a school system that shuts them down [14:30] The story of Gigi and how strong partnerships make or break success [18:00] Twitch, momentum, and waiting on the next big move [20:00] Behind the scenes of influencer marketing and why authenticity wins [22:30] Clients, virality, and the mindset that makes it work [24:30] Hard lessons: losing £50k+ on events and still showing up [26:00] The “greed” myth, why wanting more doesn’t make you a bad person [28:00] Caz’s top 3 pieces of advice for anyone with a dream [30:00] Will there be another boxing event? James asks the hard questions
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    40 分
  • Faith Took Over When the Business Fell Apart - William Curle’s Redemption Story | Episode 32

    Faith Took Over When the Business Fell Apart - William Curle’s Redemption Story | Episode 32
    2025/11/03

    William Curle’s life has been anything but conventional. From growing up in a small Scottish village and working in his family’s engineering business, to inventing patented oil and gas technologies, losing it all, and rebuilding again. His story is a powerful example of what’s possible when you combine grit, faith, and relentless determination.

    In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with William to uncover the moments that defined his journey. From watching his family business collapse under debt, to licensing a multi-million-pound invention to Halliburton just months later, William’s story is packed with the kind of real-world lessons you won’t find in any business book.

    But this isn’t just a story about engineering, patents, or profit. It’s about purpose. When life got dark, William found his light, through his Christian faith, his family, and his unwavering belief in doing the right thing. Whether it was building clean energy tech in Scotland or supporting children in Sierra Leone, his journey proves that you don’t need to choose between business success and personal integrity. You can have both.

    This episode is an emotional, honest, and deeply human conversation about invention, belief, failure, and starting again. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps someone going when the odds are stacked against them, this is it.

    Key moments include: ✔️ Leaving school at 15 to work in his dad’s workshop ✔️ Losing the family business and what that taught him about resilience ✔️ Selling his first invention to Halliburton and the deal that changed everything ✔️ How dyslexia became a superpower, not a setback ✔️ The moment he fully committed to his Christian faith ✔️ Taking clean tech from Scotland to Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Ukraine ✔️ What business and belief have in common and why he refuses to give up Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to keep going, long after others have quit.

    Follow James Fleming: LinkedIn → James Fleming Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast YouTube → @SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → The Power Within Training Follow William Curle:

    Email → william.curle@wmcdevelopments.co.uk LinkedIn → William Curle Company → https://wmcdevelopments.co.uk/

    Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and intro, the James Dyson of Harthill? [02:00] Leaving school at 15 and entering the family business [04:00] Dyslexia as a superpower, and how it shaped his career [08:00] Selling the first invention to Halliburton [12:00] Facing the collapse of his family business [15:30] Finding faith and fully committing to it [19:00] Using his faith as an anchor during COVID and crisis [23:00] The oil and gas crash, lost deals, and deep debt [26:00] Designing for clean energy and starting again [30:00] A LinkedIn post that led to a major deal in Oklahoma [35:00] Launching OR Energy and building waste-to-energy units [38:00] Reconnecting with a Scottish-founded church in Sierra Leone [42:00] Helping rebuild a legacy mission with 5,000 schoolchildren [46:00] William’s visits to Africa and the shocking landfill conditions [49:00] Impact investing, plastics pollution, and what’s next for OR Energy [51:00] William’s top 3 pieces of advice, including never giving up
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    56 分
  • Why You’re Still Stuck. Samuel Jamieson on Victim Mentality vs. Real Growth | Episode 31

    Why You’re Still Stuck. Samuel Jamieson on Victim Mentality vs. Real Growth | Episode 31
    2025/10/27

    Samuel Jamieson didn’t follow the traditional route to leadership, he built his career through grit, resilience, and a deep belief in people. From selling fake perfume in Wishaw Market at age 9 to leading high-performing sales teams across the UK, his journey is anything but ordinary.

    In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Samuel to talk about growing up in a working-class environment, unlearning unhealthy patterns, and the importance of personal development in business and leadership. With honesty, humour, and a strong sense of purpose, Samuel shares how social work shaped his leadership style, why visualisation helped him break through limits, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams without losing yourself in the process.

    This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated and a reminder that mindset and belief can take you further than any qualification.

    Key moments include:

    ✔️ Growing up working class, selling on the market stall, and learning sales early ✔️ How a role in social work shaped Samuel’s approach to leadership and empathy ✔️ The mindset shift that changed his career trajectory ✔️ Why we need to unlearn what we've been shown, even by the people we love ✔️ The power of visualisation, and how walking through Bearsden changed his future ✔️ Experience of burnout, fatherhood, and redefining happiness ✔️ Why personal development should stretch you, not just your role ✔️ Samuel’s three pieces of advice for anyone in sales or leadership

    Follow James Fleming:

    LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

    Follow Samuel Jamieson:

    LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-jamieson-18370379/

    Timestamps:

    [00:00] Intro: James introduces the episode and Samuel Jamieson [01:00] Growing up selling at the market and developing a love for sales [03:00] Working in social work and how it shaped Samuel’s empathy and leadership [07:00] Conversations that change lives: belief, upbringing, and breaking the cycle [10:00] Happiness vs. success: chasing contentment in different seasons of life [13:00] Burnout, fatherhood, and the emotional toll of high achievement [17:00] Helping people reach their potential and knowing when to step back [21:00] Dyslexia, education, and unlearning what you were told you “couldn’t” do [25:00] Visualising a new life: Bearsden walks and mindset shifts [30:00] Taking action, trusting your gut, and the value of making decisions [34:00] Sales cycles, scenario planning, and how to future-proof your success [36:00] Top 3 pieces of advice for anyone in leadership or sales [39:00] What energy really means and why mental energy drives everything [44:00] Final thoughts and where to connect with Samuel
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    45 分