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