Anton O’Donnell didn’t just dream of making a film, he actually did it. No budget, no fancy equipment, no industry contacts. Just pure grit, a five-grand credit card limit, and a script he believed in more than anything.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Anton to unpack the unbelievable journey behind 'Concrete Jungle', the grassroots Glasgow gangster drama that hit #1 on STV Player with zero marketing budget and a team of volunteers.

It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s proof that if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way.

From rejection letters and self-doubt to bootstrapped filming, night shifts as a bouncer, and teaching himself to edit trailers during lockdown. Anton’s story is the ultimate example of backing yourself when no one else will.

And while the industry said “no”, the public said “hell yes”.

This conversation is for anyone sitting on an idea, battling imposter syndrome, or wondering if it’s too late to go all in. Spoiler: It’s not.

🎬 A must-listen for creatives, self-starters, and anyone chasing something bigger.

Key moments include: ✔️ How he turned rejection from writing competitions into motivation ✔️ Filming a pilot with no budget, no crew, just belief and borrowed spaces ✔️ Why resourcefulness beats resources every single time ✔️ Behind-the-scenes: balancing two jobs, debt, and passion ✔️ The moment Concrete Jungle hit #1 in the UK and what happened next ✔️ The power of showing up, asking questions, and not letting fear win ✔️ Why visualising success is useless without action ✔️ Building something from nothing (and not waiting for permission) ✔️ The pivot: from series to film, and what’s coming next ✔️ His 3 life lessons for anyone chasing a dream that feels impossible

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 → The Power Within Training

Follow Anton O’Donnell: Instagram → @anton.odonnell TikTok → @anton.odonnell LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-o

Watch Concrete Jungle → STV Player Get in touch with Anton for investment, partnerships or collabs

Timestamps: [00:00] Meet Anton O’Donnell- writer, actor, creator of Concrete Jungle [01:45] The first draft: where the idea came from and how it evolved [04:30] From rejection emails to “let’s just do it anyway” [06:15] Bootstrapping the pilot episode with £5,000 and a dream [08:20] Balancing creative ambition with night shifts and burnout [10:40] Getting people to believe in your vision (when you’re unknown) [13:00] The STV breakthrough: hitting #1 with no budget or promo [16:45] How COVID changed the plan and why the film had to happen [18:50] Learning by doing: editing, sound, filming, marketing [21:10] The power of grit, trial and error, and believing in the process [24:40] What Anton wishes he’d known at the start [26:00] Future plans: from Concrete Jungle to what’s next [28:15] Final advice: Anton’s mindset rules for anyone with a creative dream

Lindsay Reid spent over a decade in the high-pressure world of corporate PR, handling everything from national crises to celebrity campaigns. But behind the polished press releases was someone quietly battling burnout, craving creativity, and questioning if there was more to life than 4am phone calls and stress.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Lindsay to uncover what happens when the face behind the press finally steps into the spotlight. From international badminton courts to singing in pubs, from mental health events to launching her own PR consultancy Lindsay’s journey is anything but typical.

This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and returning to what truly inspires and energises you. Lindsay doesn’t hold back as she shares the real truths about working in comms, building a business, and why relationships are the real currency in life and PR.

Whether you're a business owner trying to build a brand, someone burnt out from the corporate grind, or a creative soul stuck in a 9-to-5 box, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite the rules and do things your way.

Key moments include: ✔️ How playing international badminton shaped her work ethic ✔️ The leap from journalism to karaoke singer to PR pro ✔️ Honest truths about burnout and identity loss in corporate life ✔️ Starting a business on the side while working full-time ✔️ What PR really is - and how to use it to build your personal brand ✔️ Why your online presence matters more than ever ✔️ How one event gave her the confidence to take the leap for good ✔️ The power of consistency, reputation, and saying yes before you're ready

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

Follow Lindsay Reid: LinkedIn → Lindsay Reid Website → lindsayreidpr.com

Timestamps: [00:00] Meet Lindsay Reid - PR consultant with a passion for people [00:09] The secret to great PR: storytelling, emotion, and value [00:38] Saying yes to the unknown, from wellness to music to business [03:00] Why PR is a long game (and not a quick win) [06:00] The podcast that changed James’ life (and Lindsay's role in it) [08:00] Lindsay’s early life as an international badminton player [10:00] From journalism to karaoke nights, rediscovering creativity [12:00] Landing a role at Stagecoach and the realities of corporate PR [14:00] Learning the hard way: big campaigns, big pressure, big lessons [15:20] Creating a body confidence movement while working full-time [18:30] Why passion projects are sometimes the path forward [20:00] Building a business based on trust, energy and great people [22:00] PR vs Marketing and why both are crucial [27:00] The real face behind the suit: balancing image and authenticity [30:00] The story of how James’ LinkedIn post went viral [33:00] Why PR is in everything even your employees’ social media [39:00] Reputation management, mistakes, and how to recover from them [44:00] The compound effect of showing up (even when it’s quiet) [50:00] Lindsay’s top advice for building a business and a brand

Alex Robertson had everything he thought he wanted: A £250k-a-year job in oil and gas, a sea-view apartment, a personal driver, and a lifestyle most people only dream of. But one day, he realised he was living the dream of his 18-year-old self… and it no longer fit.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Alex to talk about the bold decision to walk away from a high-flying career and start from scratch. No salary. No safety net. Just a belief that he was meant for more.

It wasn’t smooth. Alex lost money for years, made mistakes, worked every hour, and still doubted if it was worth it. But along the way, he built a 300+ property portfolio, created a business that runs without him, and redefined what success means far beyond the payslip.

This conversation is packed with honest reflections on money, mindset, risk, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of growing into the next version of yourself.

Key moments include: ✔️ The moment he realised his “dream life” wasn’t making him happy ✔️ Why success without purpose will always feel empty ✔️ Leaving oil and gas during COVID to build a property business from scratch ✔️ Losing money in the early years and why that’s more common than people admit ✔️ The trap of high income + low fulfilment ✔️ Why he stopped chasing scale and started chasing sustainability ✔️ Building a team, stepping out of operations, and learning how to lead ✔️ The mindset shift that changed everything: comfort isn’t the goal, growth is

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

Follow Alex Robertson: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ajrobertsonproperty/ Website → https://www.ajrobertson.co.uk/

Timestamps: [00:00] Intro- James welcomes Alex to the podcast [13:25] Stress as a signal: “If you can’t handle it, you’re in the wrong place” [14:00] Why Alex walked away from a £250k job to chase something more [20:50] The trap of fast cash: Earning big and still feeling broke [25:54] Starting his property business during the pandemic [33:57] Resetting the strategy: Selling off properties that didn’t serve the vision [40:32] The truth about quitting: Most people give up just before it gets good [46:01] The mindset and structure behind scaling sustainably [51:02] Alex’s advice to young investors: Start lean, think long-term

Laurie Macpherson didn’t just change careers, she rebuilt her entire life. Redundancy, burnout, and self-doubt left her at rock bottom, questioning her worth and wondering what came next. But instead of staying stuck, she made the decision to back herself, embrace her strengths, and start over on her own terms.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Laurie to talk about what it really takes to reinvent yourself when the safe path disappears. From battling impostor syndrome to realising that “good” was the enemy of “great,” Laurie’s story is packed with the kind of honesty and resilience that anyone facing change can relate to.

It wasn’t easy. She wrestled with grief, failure, financial pressure, and the fear of letting people down. Now, as a career coach, Laurie helps others find confidence in their own path, proving that even the hardest setbacks can become the foundation for something better.

This conversation is filled with grit, humour, and the kind of perspective that makes you stop and rethink what success really means.

Key moments include: ✔️ The redundancy that forced her to re-evaluate everything ✔️ Honest reflections on burnout and mental health struggles ✔️ The mindset shift from “fitting in” to owning her strengths ✔️ Why impostor syndrome shows up even when you’re on the right path ✔️ Relatable fears about money, security, and starting over ✔️ Why failure wasn’t the end, it was the beginning of something new

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

Follow Laurie Macpherson: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriemac/ Website → https://www.lauriemacpherson.com/ Podcast → What's Working Now Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/_laurie_macpherson/

Timestamps: [00:00] Intro: James welcomes Laurie to the podcast [01:00] Laurie’s work: Career coaching and why LinkedIn became her platform of choice [03:00] Fragile platforms: Facebook/Meta changes, losing groups overnight, and the case for LinkedIn [07:00] Authenticity over polish: Why real, raw posts resonate more than “shiny success” [14:00] Calling out the myths: Women returning to work, business ownership struggles, and the Great Resignation vs. the Great Re-entry [18:00] The reality of entrepreneurship: Financial pressure, constant marketing, and lifestyle creep [23:00] Starting advice: Why cash reserves matter, and why websites/logos can become procrastination traps [27:00] Learning by doing: Trial and error, imperfect launches, and building confidence through action [33:00] Networks & community: Glasgow Glow Girls, masterminds, and why joining groups accelerates growth [37:00] The COVID pivot: Losing all her work overnight, Tesco shifts, and discovering new opportunities [43:00] The “want to” factor: Finding out how when you need to, resilience in early business struggles [49:00] Final Advice: Laurie’s top three tips [52:00] Outro: Where to connect with Laurie

Ellie McKay didn’t lose her business she walked away from the life that was breaking her.

Successful podcast. Multi-million-pound property company. A lifestyle that looked perfect from the outside. But behind the scenes? Ellie was burning out, losing herself, and quietly falling apart.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Ellie for a raw and unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to rebuild not just a business, but a life.

They talk divorce, motherhood, burnout, and identity. What it’s like to look like you’ve got it all together online while everything’s crumbling offline. And why sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is let go of the thing you built… and start again.

This isn’t a polished comeback story. It’s real. It’s rough. And it’s exactly what so many people need to hear.

Key moments include:

✔️ The pressure of performing success while quietly breaking down ✔️ What it felt like to be homeless, divorced and still showing up as a mum ✔️ Ellie’s breaking point, and the courage it took to burn it all down ✔️ The emotional weight of being “the strong one” all the time ✔️ Why rebuilding had nothing to do with business and everything to do with honesty ✔️ How podcasting helped Ellie find her voice again ✔️ Redefining success after losing everything that once defined you ✔️ The unspoken truth about women, leadership, and starting over

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

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 Ellie McKay: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mclaughlin

Personal Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ellie_mckay_official Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/onamissionpodcast2.0 Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-a-mission-podcast-2-0

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro: James welcomes Ellie back on the podcast, reflecting on their first-ever episode together

[02:00] Podcasting beginnings: Ellie on how “On a Mission” started during lockdown and why conversations became her university of life

[06:00] Looking successful, feeling broken: The hidden burnout behind running a property company and podcast

[08:00] Breaking point: Juggling kids, lockdown chaos, and the moment everything came crashing down

[12:00] From Facebook Lives to #1 podcast: How Ellie built momentum, landed big names, and leveraged relationships

[18:00] The crash: Losing her marriage, business, home, and financial security all at once

[22:00] Survival mode: Showing up as a mum while navigating divorce, homelessness, and trauma

[27:00] Rebuilding from zero: Self-belief, energy, and using every tool in the mindset toolbox

[32:00] Vibration & manifestation: How shifting energy and habits opened doors to opportunities again

[38:00] Redefining success: Moving from “good enough” to building a great life on her own terms

[42:00] Lessons from rock bottom: Resilience, accountability, and learning to find joy in the present moment

[54:00] Final advice: Ellie’s top three pieces of wisdom

[58:00] Outro: James closes with reflections on Ellie’s resilience and future

Kyle Campbell didn’t just become a dad at 19, he built a life from the ground up because of it.

One minute he was a university student working shifts at McDonald’s. The next, he was staring down the reality of unexpected fatherhood. No plan. No money. No idea what came next. Just fear, sleepless nights, and the pressure of growing up overnight.

Instead of running, Kyle chose to face it. He leaned into fundraising, volunteering, and building experience wherever he could, he was turning setbacks into stepping stones. Today, he works as a fundraiser at Maggie’s Cancer Centre, using his journey to inspire others who feel like life has thrown them in at the deep end.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kyle to talk about what it really takes to keep moving when you’re young, scared, and handed responsibilities you didn’t ask for.

It’s not polished. It’s not perfect. But it’s real and it’s proof that sometimes you don’t need a plan, just the courage to ride the wave.

Key moments include: ✔️ Finding purpose through a school charity project that changed everything ✔️ The night he discovered he was going to be a dad and the fear that followed ✔️ Why he leaned into responsibility instead of running from it ✔️ Juggling university, McDonald’s shifts, and preparing for fatherhood ✔️ The role of fundraising and volunteering in reshaping his career path ✔️ What a baby loss charity taught him about grief and perspective ✔️ How he built confidence and career opportunities through LinkedIn ✔️ Why riding the wave is sometimes better than fighting the tide ✔️ His advice for anyone facing unexpected challenges or parenthood

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

Follow Kyle Campbell: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-campbell

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro: James welcomes Kyle to the podcast

[01:00] Discovering fundraising: A school project that sparked a passion for charity work

[03:00] University life: Studying ancient history, COVID struggles, and finding the subject wasn’t for him

[04:00] McDonald’s: Working his way up to manager at 19

[05:00] Life-changing news: The moment Kyle found out he was going to be a dad

[08:00] Breaking the news: Telling family and dealing with the shock

[10:00] Choosing responsibility: Deciding to step up and support his girlfriend and baby

[15:00] “Ride the Wave”: How a quote helped him reframe fear and take opportunities head-on

[16:00] Flipping the McDonald’s role: Turning charity initiatives into career experience

[18:00] Fundraising impact: Securing thousands in grants for charities through McDonald’s

[23:00] Becoming a dad: Arla’s birth story and those first emotional days

[32:00] Adjusting to fatherhood: Sleepless nights, learning on the job, and prioritising family time

[37:00] Building a future: Moving into their first home and reflecting on progress

[39:00] Maggie’s Cancer Centre: Starting a career in fundraising with purpose

[42:00] What’s next: Kyle’s big goal to become a CEO in the charity sector

[43:00] Advice for others: Ride the wave, uni isn’t always the answer, and don’t take life too seriously

[46:00] Outro: How to connect with Kyle on LinkedIn

Michael Field didn’t just start a business, he jumped off a cliff and learned to build on the way down.

At 26, he was earning £75k a year. Safe career. Clear path. Then a casual chat in the kitchen with his manager changed everything. Three weeks later he’d quit, rented a serviced office, and launched a company with no customers, no cashflow, and only his credit card to keep it alive.

It was sink or swim. And he swam.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Michael, Managing Director of Workflow Solutions, to uncover what it really takes to grow a business when you’ve got nothing but belief, naivety, and the guts to back yourself.

From the fear of failure and imposter syndrome to the challenges of pivoting out of a dying market and embracing automation, AI, and cyber threats head-on. Michael’s story is raw, relatable, and proof that resilience matters more than a perfect plan.

Key moments include: ✔️ The leap from a £75k salary at 26 to zero income and zero clients ✔️ Why naivety was both his biggest risk and greatest strength ✔️ Sink or swim lessons: running installs, invoicing, and customer service with no clue what came next ✔️ How he pivoted from the declining print industry to automation, AI, and digital transformation ✔️ The imposter syndrome and fear that still show up 18 years later and how he handles them ✔️ Why reputation in business is everything (especially in small markets) ✔️ Cybersecurity scams, phishing attacks, and how AI is changing the game for both sides ✔️ The mindset shift from chasing sales to building a platform for brilliant people ✔️ Why success isn’t for everyone and how to know if business really is for you ✔️ Michael’s top three pieces of advice for anyone starting or struggling in business

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

Follow Michael Field: Website → https://workflowsolutions.co.uk Email → michael@workflowsolutions.co.uk

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro: James welcomes Michael and Workflow Solutions

[02:00] Early Career: From Sky TV to selling photocopiers

[03:00] The Leap: Quitting a £75k job at 26, maxing a credit card, and starting with no clients

[05:00] Sink or Swim: Running installs, invoicing, and learning business the hard way

[07:00] Pivoting: Moving from print to automation, AI, and digital transformation

[15:00] AI & Cybersecurity: Opportunities, risks, and why humans are the biggest vulnerability

[23:00] Fraud & Phishing: Real-world scams James and Michael have faced and how to protect your business

[32:00] Belief & Resilience: Why conviction in your product/service matters when times are tough

[37:00] Reputation & Customers: Why trust and integrity are everything in business

[42:00] Building a Team: Creating a culture of shared responsibility and flat structure

[46:00] The Future: Growth, vision, and why fear never really goes away

[47:00] Final Advice: Michael’s top three lessons for aspiring or struggling entrepreneurs

[50:00] Outro: How to connect with Michael Field & Workflow Solutions

Katerina Hayes didn’t just build businesses, she rebuilt herself through every breakdown, burnout, and rock bottom moment. Seventeen years in oil & gas. A dream career abandoned. Postnatal depression. Raising a son with autism. Starting over in a new country. At one point, she and her daughter were homeless, sleeping on sofas in her production facility. And yet, she kept going.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Katerina to uncover the truth about what it really takes to keep fighting when the world tells you to quit. From creating Naked Kimchi in her kitchen, to walking away from it all and co-founding B Brio AI, her story is proof that you can break apart, piece yourself back together, and come back stronger gold seams and all.

It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s full of the kind of lessons you only get when you’ve had everything stacked against you.

Key moments include: ✔️ The oil & gas career she fought for and why she walked away after 17 years ✔️ How postnatal depression and parenting a child with autism reshaped her life and identity ✔️ Suicidal thoughts, loneliness, and the hidden struggles behind “success” ✔️ Building a business from nothing… then facing homelessness with her daughter along the way ✔️ Why scaling Naked Kimchi broke her health and the brutal numbers vs passion reality check ✔️ The decision to let go of her “business baby” and the opportunity it unlocked ✔️ Why Scotland has more support for entrepreneurs than people realise (if you ask for it) ✔️ What it’s really like as a woman in business and why entrepreneurship is a mindset, not a gender ✔️ The role of ADHD, burnout and hustle culture in her entrepreneurial journey ✔️ How her new venture, B Brio AI, is using tech to support solopreneurs and high achievers with wellness built in ✔️ Her top three pieces of advice for anyone in business who feels like giving up

Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more raw, straight-talking conversations with people who’ve built, broken, and kept moving forward when quitting would’ve been easier.

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 Katerina Hayes: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerinahayes/

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro: James welcomes Katerina and reflects on when they first met

[02:00] Oil & Gas Journey: 17 years offshore, career sacrifices, and postnatal depression

[06:00] Hidden Struggles: Suicidal thoughts, guilt, loneliness, and fighting through the dark times

[10:00] Naked Kimchi: Starting from her kitchen, early wins, and the reality of scaling a food business

[15:00] Burnout & Family Pressures: The impact of the war in Ukraine, health scares, and losing contracts

[21:00] Homelessness: Living in her production facility with her daughter while still running a business

[24:00] Asking for Help: Support for entrepreneurs in Scotland, but the challenge of seeking it

[29:00] Letting Go: Closing Naked Kimchi and realising lifestyle vs scalable businesses

[35:00] Turning Point: Projects in Saudi Arabia, joining Min Ventures, and meeting her new co-founder

[38:00] B Brio AI: Building tech with wellness at the core to support solopreneurs & high achievers

[47:00] The Future: Scaling a tech startup and women’s performance cycles in wellness

[49:00] Final Advice: Katerina’s top three lessons for anyone struggling in business

[53:00] Outro: How to connect with Katerina and B Brio AI