In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with James Sweetman, who shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery, resilience, and healing. Growing up feeling unseen and burdened by fear, James endured bullying and years of not fully recognising himself. It wasn’t until his 30s that he came out as a gay man, after achieving success in his studies and career - he began embracing his true identity. Surviving both bladder and skin cancer brought James to a powerful realisation: the ordinary moments are extraordinary. With deep wisdom, he speaks about being the “map maker” of your life, and how sometimes revisiting the past with fresh eyes is what guides us forward. This episode is a gentle yet powerful reminder of resilience, authenticity, and finding meaning in life’s everyday miracles. James Sweetman is a well-respected Executive and Life Coach, Trainer, Speaker and Author. With a career that spans over two decades, James blends professional excellence with a deep understanding of human potential. In what he calls his ‘warm-up’ career, back in the 1990s, he held senior roles in blue-chip companies, specialising in Change Management, Business Development, and Customer Services. After completing his MBA, James made a bold move and left the corporate life behind to pursue his true calling - helping others to thrive. His qualifications include a Diploma in Business and Personal Coaching and he’s a certified NLP Master Practitioner. In 2022, driven by a lifelong love of words, James returned to college as a self-described "very mature student" to complete a Masters in Creative Writing. In 2024, his play The Narrow Bench was a finalist in a national competition and performed at the Wexford Arts Centre. Since founding his coaching practice in 2004, James has worked with thousands of clients, empowering them to lead with clarity and confidence. His training workshops spanning Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Presentation Skills, and Time Management are known for being both practical and inspiring. A frequent keynote speaker at events in Ireland and abroad, James is also a prolific writer. He started his blog in 2005 and he’s the author of six books, including ‘Soar – Powerful Questions that will Transform your Life’ and ‘Words to Inspire’, as well as two novels. His eBook ‘How to Excel at Interviews’ has been downloaded over half a million times. James launched his YouTube channel in 2015 and his popular podcast ‘Your Time with James Sweetman’ is now approaching its 200th episode. What sets James apart is his rare ability to combine insight, humour, authenticity and a generous heart. Whether working with individuals or speaking to audiences, his message is always clear: self-compassion and creativity are not just the foundation of success, they’re the heart of fulfilment. Find out more with James through his website: https://jamessweetman.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sharonfitzmaurice.substack.com

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