In this episode of "Veterans to Success," host Joe interviews Dr. Angela Pearson, a remarkable individual whose life journey is filled with resilience and determination. Angela shares her experiences growing up in a challenging environment, becoming a single parent at a young age, and ultimately joining the U.S. Navy. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on the struggles she faced, including a tumultuous marriage and the loss of her mother, while highlighting the importance of spirituality and empathy in overcoming adversity. Angela discusses her transition from military life to civilian careers, her work in human resources and safety management, and her current focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. With a strong belief in the power of social networks and mentorship, Angela emphasises the significance of supporting others and the lessons learned from both failure and success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Resilience Through Adversity: Overcoming significant challenges, such as becoming a single parent at a young age and dealing with a tumultuous marriage, has shaped a strong sense of resilience and determination to succeed.

2. Importance of Support Systems: Building and maintaining a strong social network is crucial for personal and professional growth. Connections can lead to unexpected opportunities, as demonstrated by a chance encounter at a convenience store that led to a job at Target.

3. Learning from Failure: Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is essential. Viewing failures as "First Attempts in Learning" allows for personal accountability and encourages experimentation to find better solutions.

4. Empathy as a Superpower: Recognising and utilising empathy as a key strength can enhance relationships and improve leadership effectiveness. Understanding others' experiences fosters a supportive environment.

5. Value of Mentorship: Having a good coach or mentor can provide invaluable guidance, helping individuals set and achieve their goals. Mentorship is important for navigating challenges and unlocking potential in both personal and professional realms.

BEST MOMENTS

"I can't raise my children in this environment. I need to find something else to do."

"I had to make another tough decision whether to keep someone in my life that wasn't there and was not contributing to helping or to let them go."

"I look at fail, and there's an acronym that I use that says first attempt in learning."

"People do it generally, but I find that veterans and guys in the military do that because when the stuff hits the fan, we just get on with it, don't we?"

"Having a strong social and business network is very crucial for unlocking opportunities, gaining knowledge and building a support system."

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.