Joe engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jeff Brown, a former military photographer whose journey is marked by resilience and creativity. Jeff shares his struggles with dyslexia and the challenges he faced in traditional education, which ultimately led him to discover his passion for photography while serving in the Navy. The discussion delves into his entrepreneurial spirit, from starting a fishing fly business as a teenager to navigating the ups and downs of running a pub. Jeff candidly recounts a dark period in his life that nearly led him to take his own life, but he emerged stronger, transforming his experiences into a successful career in photography and business. The episode emphasises the importance of pursuing one's passions, setting ambitious goals, and the power of visibility and credibility in achieving success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Embrace Your Passions: Finding and pursuing what you are passionate about can lead to greater fulfilment and success than following traditional paths that may not resonate with you.

2. Value of Support: Having supportive parents or mentors can significantly impact personal growth and self-confidence, especially for those facing challenges like dyslexia or other learning differences.

3. Resilience Through Failure: Experiencing failure, such as the collapse of a business, can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Learning from setbacks can pave the way for future success.

4. Goal Setting and Visualization: Setting clear, ambitious goals and keeping them visible can help maintain focus and motivation. Regularly reviewing and working towards these goals can lead to significant achievements over time.

5. Building Credibility Through Visibility: Consistently showing up and providing value on social media can enhance credibility and authority, leading to more opportunities. Engaging with others and sharing insights fosters trust and connection.

BEST MOMENTS

"When you do something out of passion, something that comes from the heart, you get a lot more enjoyment and the chances are you're going to succeed."

"I look back at that now as being the best failure I've ever had in my life. I still see things happen for a reason."

"Every goal is achievable, just some goals take longer to achieve than others."

"Visibility is credibility. Credibility leads to more authority and more authority leads to more opportunity."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.

Joe engages in a heartfelt conversation with Gemma Lookstone, who shares her extraordinary journey from a garrison town in Chepstow to a successful career in the RAF as a medic. Gemma reflects on her early life, the challenges she faced in school, and her determination to break free from the expectations of her hometown. She recounts her experiences in basic training, the emotional toll of working in high-pressure environments and her eventual transition to teaching and course design within the military.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Background and Early Life: Growing up in a garrison town like Chepstow, the options for young people were limited, often revolving around marrying military personnel or pursuing higher education. Gemma sought to break free from these constraints and explore different opportunities.

2. Joining the Military: A combination of a desire for travel, a lack of clear career direction, and a stubborn determination to prove others wrong led to the decision to join the Air Force at a young age. The experience in the Air Cadets helped foster a sense of camaraderie and passion for military life.

3. Basic Training Experience: Basic training was described as a transformative experience that involved rigorous physical and mental challenges. It served to break down individuals and rebuild them as committed members of the military, emphasising discipline and teamwork.

4. Emotional Challenges in Medical Roles: Working in medical roles during deployments, particularly in high-stress environments like Afghanistan and Selly Oak Hospital, brought emotional challenges. The individual learned to manage their emotions to provide care effectively, but also faced moments of vulnerability when dealing with loss.

5. Transitioning to Civilian Life: As the military career progressed, there was a growing concern about transitioning to civilian life without formal qualifications. Gemma recognised the need to leverage their skills and experiences to prepare for a future outside the military, especially during the uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

BEST MOMENTS

"I didn't really know what else to do with my life. I had to decide what to do... I said, I'm going to join the Air Force instead. And everybody laughed at me."

"I found a lot of satisfaction in the job that I was doing. It was very rewarding... exhausting at some stages because we were at the height of the conflict."

"A leader is someone who can get somebody to do something they would not have done had you not been there."

"I need to figure out how to be a civvy. I need to find out what I'm going to do on Civvy Street, because I don't have any qualifications right now."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.

Joe shares his extraordinary experiences while on an unclimbed peak expedition in the Jugal Mountain Range. With a focus on the military mantra of "improvise, adapt, and overcome," Joe reflects on his personal journey, including challenges he faced in his business and personal life. He outlines seven key strategies for tackling difficulties, emphasising the importance of identifying challenges, examining threats, considering available options, and asking for help. Throughout the episode, Joe's humour and insights shine through as he encourages listeners to take action, review their results, and learn from their experiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: These three principles learned in the military are essential for tackling challenges in life and business. They emphasise the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of adversity.

2. Identify the Challenge: Recognising the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and your team is crucial for effectively addressing any obstacles. Understanding what resources you have at your disposal can help in finding solutions.

3. Examine the Threat: Assess the potential impact of challenges on you and your team. Not all perceived threats are equally significant, and understanding the real risks can help in making informed decisions.

4. Ask for Help: Seeking assistance from others is vital. Whether it's friends, family, or colleagues, reaching out for support can provide new perspectives and solutions to problems.

5. Review Results: After taking action, it's important to evaluate the outcomes. Reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and what can be learned from the experience is key to continuous improvement and success.

BEST MOMENTS

"The first top tip to get over the difficulty is identify the challenge. Recognize the strengths and weaknesses you and or your team have at your disposal to handle the threat."

"What it means is they can't do it. So don't let your success be governed by someone else's self-limiting beliefs."

"When you get to that point, ask for help. Even if you're not in the sticks, someone will be there to help you."

"You may have a friend who knows a little bit more than you and might not even charge because if you say I've got no money, well guess what? If you ask for help, someone's going to give you a hand."

"Did you get out of it what you wanted? What did you do well? What could have gone better?"

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.

After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.

Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.