On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, Jose Pereira shares one of the most extraordinary stories of human resilience you will ever hear — kidnapped as a senior oil executive in Venezuela, held hostage for five years, and emerging not broken but transformed into a leadership and resilience coach.

Jose opens up about what it truly takes to survive years of captivity: the inner routines he built to stay mentally strong, the role of faith and spiritual connection in keeping hope alive, and the "survivor plan" he created to anchor himself through the darkest moments. His experience dismantles every assumption about the limits of the human spirit, and his coaching work now helps others discover the same reservoir of strength within themselves.

Key Topics

The kidnapping that took Jose from oil executive to five years in captivity in Venezuela
How he built a daily "survivor plan" to maintain resilience, routine, and mental strength
The role of spirituality and connection in surviving extreme adversity
What captivity teaches about human potential, purpose, and what truly matters
How Jose now helps leaders and individuals overcome limitations and unleash their potential

About Jose Pereira
Jose Pereira is a leadership and resilience coach whose life story is almost impossible to believe — and impossible to forget. After surviving five years as a hostage in Venezuela, he devoted his life to helping others find the resilience within themselves. His work draws directly on the hard-won wisdom of extreme adversity, proving that our greatest growth often comes from our most unimaginable challenges.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, story coach and edutainment pioneer Brigham Blackham explores why the most powerful learning happens through play, story, and experience — and how he left the classroom to make a far bigger impact as a guide to others' greatness.

Brigham shares his transition from teacher to story coach, reframing what coaching really is: not fixing people, but drawing out what is already within them. He introduces the concept of edutainment — making learning genuinely enjoyable — and explains why storytelling is one of the most potent tools a coach can use. His conversation is a masterclass in the power of connections, associations, and the courage to trust experience as your greatest teacher.

Key Topics

Why Brigham moved from teaching to coaching — and the difference it made to his impact
The coach's role as guide, not fixer: drawing out greatness rather than imposing it
Edutainment: what it is and why making learning playful changes everything
The power of storytelling in coaching and how to help others find and share their story
Personal growth through experience, connection, and the stories we tell ourselves

About Brigham Blackham
Brigham Blackham is a story coach and edutainment specialist who helps individuals unlock their potential through the power of narrative and playful learning. A former teacher, he made the shift to coaching to reach more people more deeply — guiding them to discover their own story and step more fully into who they are meant to be.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, Deborah Beatty — the Badass Color Mystic — shares her extraordinary journey from homelessness and betrayal to building a vibrant new identity through colour energy, creativity, and radical self-acceptance.

Deborah's story is one of profound reinvention. She speaks openly about the moments of betrayal that could have broken her, and how instead she chose to forge something new — using the transformative power of colour energy to reconnect with her passions, reclaim her creativity, and step fully into herself. Central to her message is the practice of forgiveness — of others, and crucially of oneself — as the gateway to living vibrantly and without apology.

Key Topics

How colour energy can be used as a tool for personal transformation and self-discovery
Deborah's journey through homelessness, betrayal, and rebuilding a new identity
The power of choice — and how every moment holds the seed of a new beginning
Why self-forgiveness is the foundation of genuine empowerment
Reconnecting with creativity and passion as a path back to your true self

About Deborah Beatty
Deborah Beatty, known as the Badass Color Mystic, is a colour energy practitioner, empowerment coach, and creative guide who helps people articulate their creativity and rediscover their inner strength. Her own journey from homelessness to vibrantly purposeful living is the living proof of her philosophy: that no matter where you start, you always have the power to choose who you become.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, Hina Solanki MBE shares her remarkable journey from personal health struggles and low confidence to becoming a globally recognised expert in permanent cosmetics, medical scar camouflage, and energy alignment.

Hina's story begins with her own experience of feeling unseen and unwell — and how that pain became the fuel for a transformative career helping others heal from the outside in. She explores the science behind energy work, the life-changing impact that aesthetic treatments can have on self-worth, and why mentorship played a pivotal role in her own growth. Her message is clear and deeply empowering: when you align your energy, believe in yourself, and commit to healing, anything becomes possible.

Key Topics

Hina's personal journey from health struggles and low confidence to expert and MBE recipient
How permanent cosmetics and medical scar camouflage can transform confidence and self-image
The science behind energy work and why it matters for healing and personal growth
The role of mentorship in unlocking your potential and accelerating your journey
Manifesting goals through self-love, belief, and energetic alignment

About Hina Solanki MBE
Hina Solanki MBE is a leading expert in permanent cosmetics, medical scar camouflage, and energy healing. Awarded an MBE for her services to the beauty industry, she is passionate about helping people transform their confidence and align their energy — proving that outer healing and inner transformation are deeply, inseparably connected.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, business and life mentor Natalie Bailey shares her raw and honest journey from working multiple jobs and living a party lifestyle in Magaluf to building a purposeful life rooted in health, entrepreneurship, and lasting impact.

Natalie's turning point came when she looked around at her life and realised that external fun was masking a deep inner emptiness. Her decision to change led her to pursue fitness, build businesses, and become a mentor to others seeking the same transformation. She explores the inseparable link between physical health and business success, the transformative power of honest storytelling, and her ambitious vision — from building communities to creating a clothing line for women who lift.

Key Topics

Natalie's honest reckoning with a lifestyle that looked fun but felt hollow
The decision to pursue fitness and entrepreneurship as a path to real fulfilment
Why taking care of your health is foundational to success in business
The power of personal storytelling to inspire and connect
Natalie's vision: community building, housing change, and a clothing brand for strong women

About Natalie Bailey
Natalie Bailey is a business and life mentor whose journey from Magaluf to mission-driven entrepreneurship is as inspiring as it is honest. She helps women build health, wealth, and impact simultaneously — showing that when you align your body, your business, and your purpose, everything becomes possible.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, performer and entertainer Mark Hayden takes us behind the curtain — sharing his journey from drama school to pantomime and murder mystery events, and exploring how the performing arts create genuine human connection in an increasingly disconnected world.

Mark reflects on the discipline and resilience required by drama school training, the reality of persistence in the acting industry, and how his passion for performance found its deepest purpose not just on stage but in education and community. He also examines the impact of technology and social media on the way we communicate, and makes the case for the irreplaceable power of live, in-person experience to bring people together.

Key Topics

Mark's path from drama school training to professional performer
The persistence required to build a career in the acting industry
Using performance skills in education to engage and inspire young people
How pantomime and murder mystery events build community and shared joy
The effect of technology and social media on authentic human communication

About Mark Hayden
Mark Hayden is a performer, entertainer, and educator whose work spans acting, pantomime, and interactive murder mystery events. Trained at drama school, he has built a career around using the power of performance to entertain, connect, and bring communities together — both on and off the stage.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, physiotherapist and marathon runner Nicky Edwards shares her journey from lung surgery to the finish line — and her powerful mission to help women stay strong, active, and purposeful at every stage of life.

Nicky discovered physiotherapy through a sports injury module during her sports science degree, and went on to specialise in female health and running. She speaks candidly about the unique challenges women face in maintaining fitness — from hormonal changes and childcare pressures to caring for ageing relatives — and why these challenges make staying active not just beneficial but essential. Her own experience recovering from lung surgery and returning to marathon running is a testament to the body's extraordinary capacity to heal and adapt.

Key Topics

Nicky's path from hockey player to physio to marathon runner — including lung surgery recovery
Why female-specific training matters and how women's bodies respond differently to exercise
Staying active through life's competing demands: hormones, childcare, and caring responsibilities
Practical ways to start or restart exercise: walking, strength training, and HIIT
The long-term benefits of movement for women's health, wellbeing, and longevity

About Nicky Edwards
Nicky Edwards is a physiotherapist specialising in female health and running, with a particular passion for helping women stay active through all stages of life. A marathon runner herself, she brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work, showing that it is never too late — or too hard — to prioritise your health.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, Deborah Franklin — CEO, educator, and accidental publisher — gives a refreshingly honest look at what it really takes to get a book out into the world, and why helping others tell their stories has become her greatest mission.

Deborah stumbled into publishing while searching for additional income streams, and discovered a calling: helping aspiring authors turn their dreams into published reality. With over 20 years in education and a publishing company running simultaneously, she brings a uniquely grounded perspective to the industry. She busts common myths about publishing, breaks down why marketing matters as much as writing, and shares her conviction that the best stories are honest, gritty, and real.

Key Topics

How Deborah entered publishing by accident — and why it became her purpose
Balancing 20+ years in education with running a publishing company
The biggest misconceptions aspiring authors have about the publishing industry
Why marketing and promotion are just as important as writing a great book
What makes a story truly powerful — and how to tell one honestly

About Deborah Franklin
Deborah Franklin is the CEO of Deborah Franklin Publishing and a career educator with over two decades of experience in the classroom. She founded her publishing company to help aspiring authors navigate the industry and achieve their dream of becoming published — expanding the conversation about what a successful career can look like.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, AI consultant and property developer Shafiq Sharif opens up about a lifelong battle with anxiety — and how pushing through it, rather than around it, led him to build a remarkable career and a deeply purposeful life.

Shafiq traces his anxiety back to childhood, when his father's hospitalisation first triggered a fear response that would resurface throughout his life in different forms. He shares candidly about the therapies and coaching approaches that helped, the importance of finding the right support, and how he ultimately chose to lean into his fears — including conquering public speaking. Today he channels that hard-won resilience into helping business owners harness AI and use property investment to build lasting wealth.

Key Topics

How childhood trauma can plant the roots of anxiety that resurface in adulthood
Finding the right therapy and support system to manage and overcome anxiety
The decision to push through fear rather than avoid it — including public speaking
Shafiq's path from anxiety sufferer to AI consultant and property developer
How AI is transforming the way business owners operate and grow

About Shafiq Sharif
Shafiq Sharif is an AI consultant and property developer who helps business owners implement AI strategies to streamline operations and accelerate growth. His own journey from childhood anxiety to entrepreneurial success is a testament to the power of seeking help, doing the inner work, and refusing to let fear define your future.

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com

On this episode of the Journey to Purpose Podcast, publisher and entrepreneur Ousha Demello shares her extraordinary journey from surviving emotional abuse to founding a publishing company — proving that our most painful chapters can become the catalyst for our greatest purpose.
 
Ousha opens up about the courage it took to leave an abusive relationship and make the bold decision to pursue her passion. That turning point led her to write her own story, and then to create a publishing house dedicated to helping others share theirs. Her conversation is a powerful exploration of resilience, the role of visualisation in creating change, and how embracing vulnerability can transform not only your own life but the lives of others.
 
Key Topics
 
Leaving an abusive relationship and reclaiming your identity and agency
How writing your story can be the first step toward healing and empowerment
Ousha's transition from business lecturer to author and publishing entrepreneur
The power of bold decisions and visualising the future you want to create
Helping others tell their stories as a pathway to healing and impact
 
About Ousha Demello
Ousha Demello is a publisher, entrepreneur, and author who turned her experience of overcoming abuse into a mission to amplify the voices of others. As founder of her own publishing company, she works with aspiring authors to help them transform their personal stories into powerful books that inspire and create change.
 

Journey to Purpose is a personal transformation podcast featuring real conversations about mindset, trauma recovery, self-worth, spiritual awakening, resilience, and finding your life’s purpose. New episodes every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Of0Na1qWovS8Aw2X2FU8M 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philippa.bagley/ 🌐 Website: https://philippabagley.com/ Subscribe and leave a review — it helps others find the show.

About your host
Pippa Bagley is a clinical hypnotherapist specialising in burnout and sleep, and the host of Journey to Purpose. Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, she is passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters — and build lives and careers that feel genuinely sustainable. Pippa is also studying for an MSc in the Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health at King’s College London. Find out more at philippabagley.com