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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.