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

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

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

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

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

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