What happens when life throws your plans off course? Returning guest Catherine Watkin opens up about her journey through 18 years of undiagnosed health challenges and the revelations that have followed. Catherine shares how prioritising health, embracing acceptance and letting go of old ambitions led her to redefine success. Discover how business, identity and wellness intertwine and why Catherine believes real success is found in the quality of the everyday moments. For a heartfelt exploration ...
Aug 12, 2025•46 min•Ep. 476
What happens when life takes an unexpected turn? Louisa Hext shares her decade-long journey through accusation, betrayal and ultimately, self-discovery. Falsely accused and caught in a complex legal battle, Louisa opens up about the emotional toll, the healing power of forgiveness and the importance of personal responsibility. Now in her 60s, she reflects on how curiosity, empathy and self-awareness helped her redefine her story. Louisa’s journey is a moving testament to resilience, growth and t...
Aug 05, 2025•46 min•Ep. 475
Ready to break free from financial stress and step into true prosperity? Joel Salomon, former hedge fund manager turned purpose-driven prosperity coach, shares his journey and reveals what it really takes to thrive. He cuts through the noise of conflicting advice to debunk money myths, highlights the power of mindset and shows how aligning passion with career unlocks lasting abundance. Whether you're just starting out or ready to elevate your wealth journey, this conversation will shift how you ...
Jul 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 474
Why are young men struggling with their mental health and how can we break the silence? In this moving episode, mental health advocate Brydon Duncan shares his personal journey through bullying, autism and the challenges of opening up. He discusses the inspiration behind his new documentary Breaking the Circle, which explores the rising suicide rates among young men and the urgent need for early education, safe spaces and honest conversations. A powerful reminder of the impact of vulnerability, ...
Jul 22, 2025•37 min•Ep. 473
What does it mean to live a truly meaningful life? Stephen Bruyant-Langer brings decades of coaching and leadership expertise to this heartfelt conversation, sharing how he blends business acumen with a deep commitment to giving back and nurturing enduring values within his family and community. From personal reinvention to the power of ‘human baths’ and collective belonging, Stephen unpacks practical ways to cultivate happiness, courage and purpose at every life stage. His secret to thriving th...
Jul 16, 2025•47 min•Ep. 472
Ever wondered how self-reflection leads to meaningful action? In this solo episode, I, Amy Rowlinson, share pivotal moments from my journey—like moving house and leading masterminds—while drawing insights from recent guest conversations and my coaching practice. From finding purpose in adversity to designing joy, fostering inclusion, and building purposeful partnerships, I explore themes of courage, intuition, integrity, and personal growth. Sharing my Reflections with Actions from five thought-...
Jul 16, 2025•40 min•Ep. 471
Ever feel too nervous to speak up about sensitive or uncomfortable topics? DEI professional Katie Allen unpacks the art of navigating difficult conversations around inclusion, privilege and purpose. Drawing on her personal journey and professional work in diversity, equity and inclusion, Katie reveals what holds people back from speaking honestly, why making mistakes is part of the process and how curiosity can become a powerful tool for connection. Learn how to move from fear and silence to gro...
Jul 01, 2025•40 min•Ep. 470
John Lane and Will Barfield share a passion for people-centric approaches in the professional world. Discussing the challenges of modern workplace dynamics, the impact of AI and the importance of genuine human connection, John and Will explore their unique business relationship, emphasising the value of serving others, building meaningful networks and prioritising personal growth over traditional success metrics. This conversation reveals the power of listening, creating value beyond transaction...
Jun 24, 2025•42 min•Ep. 469
What role does intuition play in your decisions and how do you strengthen trust in it? With 20 years of experience as a business consultant, Candice Quartermain shares her journey from people-pleasing to purposeful leadership and meaningful contribution. She explores how tuning into the body’s wisdom, embracing authenticity and trusting intuition can radically transform how you live and lead. Candice reflects on balancing work and family, the importance of play and experimentation and her commit...
Jun 19, 2025•47 min•Ep. 468
What makes a space feel like home? Architect Raquel Aparicio, founder of Mara Design, reveals how her childhood journey from Portugal to China sparked a lifelong passion for meaningful design. Raquel blends creativity, efficiency and purpose to transform spaces into havens of joy and belonging. She explores the emotional impact of colour, culture and user experience on wellbeing. From navigating change to designing for connection, discover how architecture can be both profitable and deeply human...
Jun 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 467
Can your darkest moment reveal your greatest purpose? Jazz Singh’s remarkable journey suggests it can. From a childhood marked by trauma and violence to a successful career in banking, Jazz’s trajectory took a sharp turn: a workplace tribunal, homelessness, a tragic accident and eventually imprisonment. It was behind bars that Jazz found meaning through service to others with a deeper calling to fight for justice. Today, Jazz is a passionate advocate for second chances supporting ex-offenders in...
Jun 10, 2025•38 min•Ep. 466
After every five guest interviews, I take time to reflect on each episode, focusing on specific topics, unravelling different threads and diving deeper into the moments which sparked my curiosity. In this episode, I explore themes such as legacy, transformation, gratitude, meaningful success, work-life balance, adversity, authentic living, motivation, fulfilment, sharing my Reflections with Actions drawn from these five recent podcast conversations: 460 Purpose Over Pace with Holly Rowlinson 461...
Jun 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 465
What if chasing more was keeping you from what truly matters? Elliot Kay shares his powerful journey of stepping back from multiple ventures to realign with purpose. With unfiltered honesty, he explores how choosing consolidation over constant hustle brought clarity, joy and deeper presence in both life and work. Elliot redefines success not by income, but by impact, connection and legacy. From being more present as a father to transforming the speaking industry, his story offers inspiration for...
May 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 464
What does it truly mean to be a better human? How can you pursue better without falling into the perfectionism trap? Business Book Awards 2025 Finalist, Pete Cooper, challenges the myth of perfection and advocates for the ongoing pursuit of better. Discover his three strands of fulfilment, align your behaviours with your core values and explore the importance of diversity, intention and authentic leadership. Whether you’re seeking clarity in your life’s direction or aiming to make a genuine diff...
May 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 463
International speaker and trainer Harriet Bratt reveals her inspiring evolution from being silenced by self-doubt to creating real impact through confidence and clarity. She discusses the value of genuine self-expression, ongoing personal development and staying focused amidst everyday distractions. Harriet also shares insights into her healing journey, transformative routines and deep commitment to helping others find their voice and live intentionally. Whether you’re facing inner struggles or ...
May 13, 2025•32 min•Ep. 462
Christian Ray Flores shares his remarkable journey from refugee to international pop star to purpose-driven high-performance coach. In this inspiring conversation, he explores the themes of resilience, antifragility and legacy. Offering powerful insights into personal growth and transformation, Christian Ray unpacks the importance of self-awareness, the fuel of pure motivation and love as a catalyst for lasting change. Through compelling stories and practical strategies, he shows how to reframe ...
May 06, 2025•47 min•Ep. 461
After collapsing from heatstroke during the 2024 Brighton Marathon, Holly Rowlinson faced heartbreak and the loss of a long-held goal. With reflection and the support of St John Ambulance, Holly turned her setback into a purpose. A year later, she ran the 2025 London Marathon, raising over £2,000 for the charity who helped her back to her feet. Holly’s story is a testament to community, gratitude and the strength created from having a meaningful why. With this clarity and determination, Holly fo...
May 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 460
Celebrating five years of the Focus on WHY podcast - 30.4.2020 - 30.4.2025! After every five guest interviews, I take time to reflect on each episode, focusing on specific topics, unravelling different threads and diving deeper into the moments which sparked my curiosity. In this episode, I explore themes such as The Business Book Awards 2025, promises, core values, compassion, resilience, authenticity, intuition, courage, mental health stigma, meaningful success and marathon finishers, sharing ...
Apr 29, 2025•37 min•Ep. 459
How do you transform deep trauma into purpose and meaning? Dave Pounds, founder of Be Remarkable, shares his powerful journey from personal tragedy and PTSD to creating a life and coaching program rooted in resilience and fulfilment. Dave discusses the impact of finding purpose, moving through addiction and the lessons learned from decades of searching for healing. With raw honesty, inspiration and actionable insights Dave reveals why it’s essential to feel the meaning. KEY TAKEAWAY ‘If you laye...
Apr 22, 2025•38 min•Ep. 458
Have you ever wondered how your life experiences could become powerful stories of change and inspiration? Rhona Morrison shares her extraordinary journey from forensic psychiatry to cruise ship lecturing. A passionate advocate for mental health, Rhona draws on decades of professional experience and personal loss to challenge stigma and promote understanding. Her work with mentally ill offenders, alongside caring for her sister and grieving her husband, has shaped a mission rooted in compassion. ...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min•Ep. 457
What if the life you’ve planned is only the beginning of who you’re truly meant to become? In this powerful episode, Lucy Henshall shares how a health crisis steered her from a conventional career as a GP onto a path of purpose, freedom and self-discovery. Guided by intuition and courage, Lucy now empowers others to embrace change and live authentically. From cycling across Cuba to mentoring fellow doctors, her story is a call to trust the unknown, embrace vulnerability as a strength and what it...
Apr 08, 2025•40 min•Ep. 456
After being told she’d reached her potential in the corporate world, Rachel Power embarked on a journey from burnout to purposeful living. She now helps others align personal values with professional goals, build meaningful relationships and navigate change without sacrificing wellbeing. Rachel emphasises self-care, boundaries and intuition in decision-making, advocating for a compassionate and balanced approach to work and life. By encouraging self-awareness and personal responsibility, Rachel ...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Ep. 455
Communications coach Shelly Starks shares how to connect authentically while staying true to yourself. She explores behavioural analysis tools like Extended DISC and the impact of life experiences on purposeful communication. Shelly discusses how understanding communication styles enhances conversations, creativity and team productivity. She also reflects how a radical hysterectomy reshaped her priorities. Emphasising boundaries and intentional connections, trust your instincts and embrace authe...
Mar 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 454
453 Reflections with Actions with Amy Rowlinson After every five guest interviews, I take time to reflect on each episode, honing in on specific topics, unravelling different threads and diving deeper into the moments that sparked my curiosity. In this episode, I explore themes such as storytelling, neurodiversity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), motivation, mastery, autonomy, truth and rigour, sharing my Reflections with Actions drawn from these five recent podcast conversations: 448 Hea...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 453
Dive into the fascinating world of storytelling with Dr Simon Raybould, as he unravels the power behind the stories we tell. Simon challenges the traditional approach of parroted tales and introduces a more forensic use of stories to inspire true change. From prioritising factual storytelling over fictional narratives to emphasising truth and rigour in your information consumption, Simon's insights will reshape how you perceive stories, transforming them into powerful tools for real change. If y...
Mar 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 452
How might you be unknowingly obscuring your own natural brilliance and blocking your potential? Motivation Specialist Sarah Stones unpacks the transformative power of understanding personal motivational drivers and aligning them with work and life. She shares insights on uncovering your motivational blueprint, identifying misalignments, reflecting on energy levels and creating environments that fuel your unique strengths. Whether you're seeking fulfilment, navigating a career transition or leadi...
Mar 05, 2025•43 min•Ep. 451
Nadia Nagamootoo, a Chartered Business Psychologist, drives systemic change through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in organisations. She emphasises the need to uncover and address the invisible, historical biases embedded in systems designed by and for the majority. Urging leaders to reflect on their beliefs and develop emotional intelligence, Nadia encourages them to embrace complexity and engage in open-minded conversations to navigate DEI effectively. Nadia advocates for a more inclusi...
Feb 26, 2025•48 min•Ep. 450
Professional keynote speaker and neurodiversity advocate Charlie Hart, known as ‘Ausome Charlie,’ shares her journey of being diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life. She highlights the profound impact of her diagnoses, the power of self-advocacy and the strength found in self-acceptance. Charlie’s story is a testament to embracing differences and breaking down barriers, discrimination and stigma. By championing a world where every mind is understood, valued and celebrated, she reminds us t...
Feb 19, 2025•46 min•Ep. 449
Born into the turmoil of civil war in Punjab, Gurps Khaira faced unimaginable challenges, including the tragic loss of his mother at just five years old. Rather than succumbing to adversity, he transformed his pain into purpose. After moving to England, he built a life rooted in structure, discipline and resilience, finding success in the banking and fitness industries. Emphasising the power of a clear why and his Decide, Define and Do mantra, Gurps shares his powerful and effective triangle fra...
Feb 12, 2025•41 min•Ep. 448
After every five guest interviews, I reflect on each of the individual episodes and focus in on specific topics pulling on different threads and diving deeper to explore elements that piqued my interest. In this episode, exploring role models in STEM, intentional choices, authenticity, hope, generational diversity, meaningful work, balancing freedom and responsibility, commercial karma, meaningful work, core identity, strategy and sustainable growth, I share my Reflections with Actions from thes...
Feb 10, 2025•35 min•Ep. 447
