Blog
Every so often, someone enters our life at precisely the right moment, not with fanfare, not with grand gestures, but with a small act of belief that changes everything.
This week, I had the pleasure of meeting again with Steve Roebuck, Head of Quality Assurance and Certification at Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace. As we talked about potential work for next year, I found myself reflecting on just how much one person can influence the direction of a life.
COVID changed everything.
When COVID hit, my entire business disappeared overnight. Every client emailed to cancel the work I had booked with them. I went from a strong, full diary to nothing at all.
I remember sitting at home, aged 66, wondering what on earth I would do next. It wasn’t fear as much as it was a sense of disbelief. After years of building my career, was this really how things would end?
But resilience is rarely loud. It’s the quiet decision to keep moving. After a while, I picked myself up and created three online masterclasses.
I wrote my second book. I decided that although the world had changed, I wasn’t done yet, not by a long shot. Those online masterclasses kept me going during the most challenging months.
And then something remarkable happened.
Steve reached out.
He had seen the three Mental Resilience Masterclasses I was delivering online and wanted them delivered face-to-face for his team at Rolls-Royce. At a time when many people were still cautious, Steve saw value, potential, and possibility.
I will never forget that email. At a moment when my confidence was fragile and the future uncertain, his contact lifted my spirits massively. It reminded me that my work mattered. It reminded me that I still had more to give.
That first booking reopened the door to Rolls-Royce. One by one, more opportunities followed. And with each one, my belief grew stronger that I was rebuilding, not just a business, but a purpose.
It changed everything.
Today, five years later, my business is thriving. I’m coaching people online, watching them transform before my eyes. I’m delivering masterclasses across the UK and internationally. I’m writing this blog every week. I’m 71 years old and still absolutely living the dream.
And I often wonder… what if Steve hadn’t contacted me that day? Would I have retired on my state pension? Would I have quietly stepped away from the work I love? I don’t know.
But I do know this: one person’s belief can make an extraordinary difference.
3 Key Learnings
- The right person at the right time can change everything. Never underestimate the power of a single message, invitation or gesture.
- It’s never too late to rebuild. At 66, I started again and created the strongest chapter of my career.
- Success is always a team sport. No one rises alone. We all need encouragers, connectors, and champions.
In life, we all meet special people. People who don’t just cross our path, they alter it. Steve is one of those people for me. He opened a door, and through that door came hope, momentum, and a new chapter of my career. He introduced me to others at Rolls-Royce. He helped me rebuild at a time when many things felt uncertain.
But here’s the more profound truth: none of us succeeds alone. Someone, a mentor, a friend, a client, or a believer has supported every achievement in my life. We all need people who back us, champion us, and encourage us to keep going. And just as others have been that person for me, I strive to be that person for others.
Because resilience is never a solo journey, it is supported, strengthened, and amplified by the people who stand beside us.
Steve, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the years, which literally changed my life.
Thoughts for the Week
- Who has quietly changed your life? Have you thanked them recently?
- Where could you be the “Steve” in someone else’s story this week?
- What door could open for you if you keep going, even when things feel uncertain?
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a brilliant week ahead and keep believing.
Warm regards
John
Share this post!
Share this post!
Recent Posts
