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. But the turning point came when she stopped trying to fit into roles that weren’t built for her and instead leaned into her neurodivergence, transforming what once felt like a weakness into her superpower.

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 ✔️ How she turned neurodivergence from a challenge into a superpower ✔️ 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

Owen Llanwarne never planned on starting a business but deep down, he knew the corporate world wasn’t where he belonged.

So he left the steady salary behind, set up shop at his kitchen table, and started saying yes to small freelance jobs. No funding. No investors. Just experience, a strong gut instinct, and the belief that he could build something better.

Fast forward, and OTECSA is now a respected process safety consultancy with a growing team and a reputation for doing things differently.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Owen for a raw and grounded conversation about walking away from security, learning to lead, and what it really takes to grow a business when no one’s handing you the rulebook.

They talk identity shifts, hiring headaches, imposter syndrome and the uncomfortable moments that force you to grow.

Key moments include:

✔️ Why Owen left a stable job in engineering to go solo ✔️ Building OTECSA from the ground up without a flashy launch or big budget ✔️ The pressure of hiring, leading, and letting go of control ✔️ What most people get wrong about starting small ✔️ Why being good at your job isn’t enough when it’s your name on the business ✔️ The mindset shift from employee to founder ✔️ How getting outside help changed everything ✔️ His advice to any engineer who’s thinking, “Could I do this too?”

Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve 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 Owen Llanwarne LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-llanwarne/ Website → https://otecsaconsulting.com/

Yvonne Lindsay didn’t just start a business, she took on an entire industry.

With no funding, no safety net, and a baby on the way, she walked out of a high-paying role at BT and launched a telecoms company from her living room. Fifteen years later, that company now turns over £6 million a year.

But this episode isn’t just about business growth. It’s about grit.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Yvonne for a powerful, no-filter conversation about what it really takes to succeed as a woman, a mum, a founder, and a leader navigating a world that wasn’t built for her.

They talk about the pressure to hold it all together, the strength it takes to keep going when life falls apart, and why most people have no idea what female founders are really carrying.

Key moments include:

✔️ Leaving a six-figure career to start from scratch ✔️ Building one of Scotland’s only all-female telecoms companies ✔️ Paying wages with nothing left for herself and doing it anyway ✔️ Navigating divorce, single motherhood, and leading a team of 18 ✔️ How pink tools and big energy helped her stand out ✔️ The truth about imposter syndrome, burnout, and late-night breakdowns ✔️ Why belief matters more than a business plan ✔️ Her advice to any woman ready to bet on herself

Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered, straight-talking conversations with people who kept going when everyone else would’ve 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 Yvonne Lindsay LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnelindsay/ Company → https://telecomnetworks.co.uk/ Company LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/telecomnetworks/

Craig Evans didn’t grow up with money, but he had vision, grit, and a builder’s mindset.

What started as a plan to buy his first home on a shoestring turned into a full-scale property business. He’s designed entire houses in 3D before ever stepping foot in them. Negotiated deals most people would run from. And learned the hard way that success isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about strategy.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Craig for a conversation every aspiring property investor needs to hear.

They talk about the messy reality behind property investing, from dream deals falling through, to getting burned by your team, to the moments you nearly walk away. And how Craig used every one of those setbacks to build something better.

This isn’t a “how to get rich with no money down” story. It’s a story about long-term thinking, real risk, and what happens when you back yourself even when nobody else does.

Key moments include:

✔️ How Craig reverse-engineered his first home renovation with zero budget ✔️ The deal that collapsed and the brutal lessons about trust and timing ✔️ How ADHD fuels James creativity and decision-making ✔️ Why Craig built Novius, and how it’s changing the game in sustainable housing ✔️ The truth about working with investors (and the awkward chats with their wives) ✔️ What no one tells you about growing slow and why that’s the point ✔️ The mindset that kept him moving, even when everything fell apart

Subscribe to Success or Excuses for more unfiltered conversations with real entrepreneurs building real businesses without the fluff.

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 Craig Evans: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybridge/ Company Website → https://novius.co.uk/