My Epilepsy Journey

When people ask me what success looks like to me, my answer tends to raise a few eyebrows—especially when I’m speaking at colleges and universities like the ones i have done. You see, we live in a world that loves to put a price tag on success. For a lot of people, success means a big house, a fancy car, designer clothes, and a bank account that’s bursting at the seams. And hey, let’s be honest—there’s nothing wrong with that. For some people, that is success. If that’s what they want, if that’s what drives them, good for them.

But me? I see things differently.

For me, success isn’t about making loads of money. It’s not about how many zeros I’ve got in my bank account or whether I’m flying first class. It’s not about whether I’ve got followers, sponsors, or VIP access. No, for me, success is about impact. It’s about the people. It’s about the lives I’ve touched and the minds I’ve opened. It’s about the individuals who come up to me after a talk, or drop me a message days or weeks later, just to say: “Thank you. You helped me see something differently. You made me believe in myself again.”

Now that? That’s worth more than money.

Put it this way—let’s break it down real simple. Imagine I get invited to speak at a university event. One offer says, “We’ll pay you £500 for this talk,” and in that room are 250 people. I give it everything I’ve got. I open up. I speak from the heart. And by the end, something shifts in that room. People walk away inspired. Maybe not all 250, but enough. And some of them will carry that message with them into the rest of their lives. Now that, to me, is a win.

Now let’s flip it. What if someone else says, “We’ll give you £1000 for this talk,” and I walk in, speak, and only five people in the room are really paying attention. Maybe I’ve made more money that day, but I haven’t made the same impact. And I’ll ask you—what would you choose?

Would you rather be remembered, or just paid?

Would you rather create a ripple in someone’s life, or walk away with your pockets full and your legacy empty?

See, I believe success is building something that outlives the moment. It’s not about clout—it’s about connection. It’s not about how loud the applause is when you finish speaking; it’s about the quiet conversations that happen afterward. It’s about the people who come up to you and say, “I’ve been struggling. But you reminded me I’m not alone.” That’s the stuff that sticks with you. That’s the stuff that fuels your purpose. That’s success, at least for me.

And don’t get me wrong—money is a tool. We all need to eat, pay bills, and survive. But once your basic needs are met, what then? What really drives you? For me, it’s recognition, not for ego, but for the role I’ve played in helping others. It’s reputation, not for fame, but because it says something about the work I do and the lives I change. If people know your name, not because you’re rich but because you’re real, that’s powerful.

So the next time someone asks me what success looks like, I won’t tell them a number. I’ll tell them a story. I’ll talk about the student who told me they found purpose after hearing me speak. I’ll talk about the quiet message from someone who was ready to give up, but didn’t because of something I said. Those are the stories I carry with me. And those are the moments that make me feel rich.

That, my friends, is what success looks like.