Joe interviews his good friend John about his journey from his upbringing in North Wales to his military career. John shares his experiences growing up in a tough secondary modern school and how it shaped his understanding of people. He discusses his time in the Territorial Army and the valuable lessons he learned about leadership and training. John emphasises the importance of setting high standards, embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, and the role of mentors in his development.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BEST MOMENTS
"I was fortunate I could play sports. I got picked up to play football as a young youth professional."
"I think there are [opportunities]. I think what's wrong is the paucity of ambition."
"You can't be too arrogant about it, but when you've had an opportunity to bench test your ability as a leader... you have the right to draw inferences from that."
"I've never come across a more capable, what we used to call man-manager. You know, Barry could walk into a pub where there's a huge fistfight going on, and within five minutes he's got them all stood to the bar buying each other beer."
"I'm a big believer is once you've stood your punishment, that's it done."
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.