Learn more about Ryan Jackson, his story, his podcast, and his book at https://ryanjackson.org
Emmalou Penrod 0:00
Today I’m talking to Ryan Jackson. He is the author of The Success Rebellion. And he has a podcast show with the same title. Ryan, welcome.
Ryan Jackson 0:14
Thank you. Thank you for having me. How you doing? You’re okay?
Emmalou Penrod 0:17
I am doing great. And I’ve read your website, what you have done, and it’s very impressive. So how did you come about starting this success rebellion?
Ryan Jackson 0:30
The success rebellion really came about as a result of my journey. And just to give you some perspective, growing up, I grew up in East London Stratford, very much a financially deprived area. So it’s just me, my mom, and a lot of my friends, a lot of my peers, they had this. They was brought up in the same sort of circumstances in the sense of, you know, that was just with their mom. And that was a norm in our in our realities not to make much later in life, that I realized that a whole different family dynamic played out. But I grew up in as I say Stratford in East London went to a way school, you know, the air itself, on a council stay very negative. And unfortunately, you know, sometimes you can be, become a product of your environment. And this was very much the case of what happened to me. I was always intelligent. However, I didn’t necessarily apply it. So in school, I left school with not really acquiring the grades that I know that I was capable of. So went to college didn’t really know what it is that I wanted to do. I think, you know, in UK, specially when leaving school, you’re sat in front of a careers advisor, maybe for an hour or so, just to give you some form of guidance on what it is that you want to be, but I don’t understand how such an important question can be placed upon the shoulders of someone at such young age. Because I know the majority of people, the majority people are no, well, I mean, you know, they’re adults 35-36 now moving into the forties and yet they still don’t know what it is that they want to do. So to place such responsibility on children is is pretty crazy. However, I ended up doing a media course. I lasted about a year, and I dropped out. I wasn’t really that engaged. I just used college as a time for you know, smoking weed getting high and women. That was it. And so I left there, again, didn’t really know what I wanted to do. And I fell into a bit of a rut. In essence, I became a bum. So my, my daily routine would just be me waking up, say midday noon, smoking weed, eating, meeting with friends, going to a friend’s house, smoking weed to late in the night, and you know, and network late in the night, early in the morning, and that was my, my cycle of monotony. That was it, you know, day in day out, there was no purpose, there was no ambition, there was no you know, no drive, no hunger. I was quite happy in that, in that experience. And, you know, to give you some, some insights to where I was. So, you know, I remember coming up to 18. And for a lot of people it’s quite a moment, a monumental stage in our life, you know, it’s that move into adulthood. And for a lot of people, it means different things. So, for a lot of people, it could be they have the opportunity to vote for which a lot of people have, you know, die for literally, you know, thousands, if not millions of people. For some people in the UK it’s the legal age where you can go and have a drink, so it may be going having a drink with your friends at the local bar, or pub or or wherever it may be. But for me, my eagerness to turn 18 and my excitement came about simply with the fact that I was able to receive government benefits, 40 pound a week. And that was, and I was actually thought, I was winning. At a point when I turned 18, I went outside and I was like, Woohee, free money! And, and that was well as that and so, you know, Tony Robbins says it a lot, we often get what we expect from life. And that was my expectation, 40 pounds a week, and that was the value that I had placed upon myself. And so this is what I then manifested in into the world. And as I said this, this cycle continued for for some time, but fortunately, I was found somewhat of a lifeline from my half-brother on my dad’s side. So he was working in a city within a health club, and he managed to get me an interview for position as a receptionist. That’s a poorly front of house because Front of House makes it a bit more acceptable, but in essence, I was just a receptionist. Anyway, so I went for the interview, got the job. And that was kind of like the turning point in my life. And being able to escape my environment, to come away from, from my peers, to be immersed in a different space, having different conversations, having a different perspective of life, really started the, the seeds of possibility. And that, as I said, kick started my growth, and made me just see the world through new eyes. And the real transition came for me, the real turning point came about as a result of me beginning to read. And reading is always something that associated with, you know, back at school, and so I kind of stay clear from it. But for whatever reason, on the commute to work, I always used to see people sitting down and reading some form of book or whatever, and for whatever, I don’t know what it was, I just had a grab, I just gravitate towards it. it resonated with me for whatever reason, and I remember walking to work. And there was this bookshop they always used to pass to and from work. And one evening I went in there, I thought, you know what, I’m gonna go and buy a book. But before this time I actually went to, said to my friends, and I shared this idea. I said, Yeah, I’m going to start reading is that wine? He goes, what are you doing, that you smoking too much weed, you got to be mad, right? And this is to understand where we were collectively at that time. That was our mindset. We was very closed. And anyway, I went into the shop, and I was scouring through the different shelves, and there’s this one book that stood out to me. And it was Killing Pablo, written by Mark Bowden. And it’s the life story of Pablo Escobar. And, and so I thought, all right, if we’re gonna buy a book, it has to be a pretty cool book. And this was the before the time of the Narco Series. This was like, you know, 16-17 years ago, before he had been glamorized by Hollywood and Netflix or what have you. And I remember purchasing this book and it was on the way home that I started reading it. And the first chapter, I can honestly say that changed my life. And the reason why I say that is, so the story of Pablo is he grew up in extreme poverty. They used to walk however, however many miles to get to school when they had little to no opportunities. So growing up, he fell into crime, by his petty crime, first of all, so he’s just an ordinary, you know, street thug, but he had this vision. And he used to tell his friends, you know, he used to see planes flying above him. And he told that to his friends, I’m gonna have a plane one day. But his friends used to laugh at him say, Pablo, you’re mad, you’re crazy, this and the other. But he had this vision, his dream of him becoming more. And reading this first chapter, it just gives a brief overview. And, you know, for him being an ordinary person. He then rose to extreme success becoming, we know Forbes reported him as being the fifth richest man in the world at one point. So coming from nothing with little to no resources, little education, not really much going on for you. He rose given it’s a negative vocation, negative industry crime, I did a lot of bad things. However, he still had that mindset whereby he was going to transcend his coven environment is going to transcend his current experience to become all that he could be. And before that time, I was always, I had always considered success to be something that you were either born into, so you know, your family ties, what have you; or you had to be extremely lucky. It never ever dawned on me that anyone can achieve success of their own, of their own back by applying, you know, various principles, their attitude and you know, and everything else. And so that’s kind of where that the penny dropped for me. And I was like, Wow, so if he can do it in his chosen field, with my intelligence, that I believe I have them, you know, the self belief that was now growing because of my change of my environment. Surely I can make something of myself far beyond where I am now. And that was it that was kind of that the the turning point in my life. And because of that I started, I kind of fell into personal development, like reading books like Unlimited Power on Tony Robbins, and you know, sometimes the inspiration for our lives can come from that most unlikeliest sources. But for me, I look at, you know, not everything is black and white. And so we can, we can learn from everybody. Everybody has something to teach, but it’s just being open to the teachings that they have to offer. And I was very open towards, you know, to Pablo’s story and that kind of kick started my transformation. And I’m not saying I made, you know, all my decisions were positive. So I got to the point where I was in a health club, I was doing extremely well. I became Front House Manager within a year, Operations Manager within 18 months, Acting Club Manager. And I was the youngest, but highest paid Acting Manager within the region. However, I reached a somewhat of a ceiling, because I knew that even though I was doing extremely well from where I started, there was still, I was still part of the food chain. So in comparison to where I started out, you know, I was coming to meet the members that were coming into this health club, they were directors, they were lawyers, solicitors, so they were still earning considerably more than me. And so I took the decision to, to leave that organization. And initially, I went to join a friend who had a property development company was doing really well. But that didn’t necessarily work out. And then I made a couple of one decisions. And I lived, I succumbed again to my environment and live the life that wasn’t positive. I took the lower road, because I believe this is the only way in which I was going to achieve my success. So therefore, I guess I was rebelling, but not necessarily in a positive way. And then the realization came to me that if I continued on this path, then there’s only ever going to be one inevitable outcome. So a decision had to be made. And from working in the health club, I knew that I had a strong business background. In essence, I was running the business operations, even though I hadn’t set it up. I hadn’t founded the company. I was still responsible for meeting targets, generating revenues, personnel, team, hiring, firing, etc. So I had those that skill set. It’s just about finding something that I could make my own and apply that to. So in the space of one week, two different friends, not sort of shady in any which way, mentioned to me about setting up a wheel clamping company here in the UK. And I was like, Oh! This is a sign. Yeah, no, why would two people mentioned it to me? And at this point, I started developing somewhat of a spiritual understanding. So I just did a bit of research. And I decided to burn my ships. And meaning that I had to go all in and make this a success. This is my chosen route, in order for me to achieve what it is that I wanted to achieve. So I did the necessary, took the necessary action, and just went in. And in the beginning, it was extremely tough, very, very difficult. But what I realized now looking back upon my journeys, is that the more I grew as an entrepreneur, the more skills and knowledge and insight that I acquired that then reflected within my business. And, and the businesses has grown as I have. And so, we’re now at the point whereby, from starting from nothing, just me, you know, clamping vehicles at a backup car, we’re now one of the UK’s leading car park management companies. We employ around, about 27 people, turning over millions of pounds on a yearly basis, and it’s up for various awards. Last year, we reached the finals of the British Business Awards. We’re known within the industries itself, we’ve, you know, we was finest in the parking provider of the year last year. And so we’re doing amazing things within inside our industry and outside. So we embrace it a different perspective, in sense of business has traditionally been used to meet the needs of its shareholders. But now we’re trying to distribute our profits more equally. So we’ve signed up to various social enterprises, giving back to a number of different campaigns and causes that look to you know, raise the standard of living for people, not just in the UK, but abroad as well in Asia. And so we know we do some amazing things I myself now have, you know, I’ll say to myself at a point whereby I’m now ready to give back and share the learnings of my journey. So I featured various business publications, you know, newspapers, I was in Forbes this week. And I’ve just released my book, The Success Rebellion. And so that really came about as a result of my journey and the principles that I’ve applied into my life to achieve the level of success that I have. And the title really stemmed from, you know, my rebellion. So I was always quite rebellious in a sense that I didn’t want to ever use the or take the conventional route. And because of social conditioning and environment, sometimes we’re programmed to accept a reality as it is and not given the tools and the the insight to be able to transcend that environment and experience. And so we, we continue to live our lives as a result of the consequence of life not actually realizing we can dictate and create the life that we want. And so now I feel it’s my duty to be able to share the learnings that I’ve taken aboard along the way in order to empower other people’s lives so they can start to make change, and break away from the, you know, break the shackles of limitation and, and self doubt, in order to create the life that they truly want. And so now I’m living in Bali. I have an amazing lifestyle here with my family. And you know, very much a million miles away from where I started out. But at the same time, it shows or demonstrates what can be achieved by applying the right principles in your life. And so this is really what the success rebellion is about, that you can create the life that you choose. Yeah, you know, your life is a blank canvas to do what, you know, to do what you wish. And so with the right tools, the right skills, and the right guidance, you can create the life that you want. And so the success rebellion is really about the blueprint of how you too can achieve that.
Emmalou Penrod 16:21
Well and you have provided an empowering example. I love it, I just love those stories, that truly no one can hold their past, their background as an excuse. You have now.
Ryan Jackson 16:39
100%. And I think that’s what it’s about. And it’s one of the things I’ll talk about within the book itself is that, you know, that your future is actually encompassed within your past. So everything that you’ve experienced is necessary for you to become who it is that you need to be in order to deliver your life’s work, your purpose, what it is that you’re here to do. And so for me, I needed to, I guess, take that negative route, to be able to connect with a demographic who wouldn’t necessarily pick up a book on Tony Robbins, who wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to somebody like Robin Sharma, or, or maybe even Oprah Winfrey, whoever it may be. And so, you know, for me going for the experiences necessary for, for me to be able to connect with individuals who may be going through the same experiences, but yet haven’t found another viable route or option for them to achieve the success that they want to achieve. And so, you know, we have to embrace our past, not necessarily looking at it as a negative, but look at it as a necessary experience for us to grow, evolve, and acquire the skill sets necessary to do our best work.
Emmalou Penrod 17:52
To learn from it.
Ryan Jackson 17:54
Of course, of course, of course, every every experience is necessary in order for us to grow and evolve, any even the negative stuff, even COVID-19. What we’re going through it in a moment, it’s necessary, it’s a necessary part of evolvement. Because out of this experience, so many positives would occur, if we just take the time to listen and see what’s actually happening rather than accepting the narrative of doom and gloom by the various media channels and the people around us.
Emmalou Penrod 18:24
Yes. And as I listened to your story, it struck me that the one thing you never did was to quit, or to give up. So whatever you go through, as long as you keep moving forward,
Ryan Jackson 18:38
yeah, no 100% and, and for me, I am, my purpose, I’m a creator. So you know, I have an idea, I have a vision, then it’s about me implementing that vision, manifesting it into reality. And if I’m not doing so, I feel stagnant, feel stuck. I feel like I’m not only in who it is that I am. And so you know, we all have gifts. We all have skill sets. We all have special abilities that just come naturally to us. So it’s about recognizing what yours is, and then applying that into your life. But what you said is, you know, from what you say, yeah, it’s about, it’s about evolving. It’s about continuous improvement, the Japanese refer to it as Kaizen. So, for me, I just see it as for me comes quite naturally. But what a lot of people struggle with is that first step, is about, because of fear, procrastination through self doubt, they’re not confident in actually taking that leap of faith for that first step of moving forward. But however, small it is just that, just taking that one what, that one micro step would then lead to another, which will then lead to another, which then need to them before you know it, you’ve banked you’ve gained momentum, and you start moving forward. And so this is what it’s about.
Emmalou Penrod 19:54
So you are helping people take that first step, that crucial first step.
Ryan Jackson 19:59
Hundred percent because a lot of people would love, wouldn’t say, everybody, but the majority of people would love to be able to transcend where it is they are now, would love to have a better life. Whatever that, whatever that mean we love to be successful. We all have different ideas of what success is. But what they don’t know is how to go about achieving it, what they need to do on a daily basis. So some of what I shared in The Success, Rebellion just starts to get them to think about what they’ve been doing up until now. And it gives them a new direction, which they can then start heading towards.
Emmalou Penrod 20:40
You use the word blueprint. So that’s the steps, anyone who’s wondering how do I change? You’ve been through that. And now you’re sharing what you learned through your book until your podcast, right?
Ryan Jackson 20:56
Yes, yes, 100%. So more through the book, the podcast is just complementary to the movement. And it just allows me to connect with individuals to share in their philosophy. So it’s quite sporadic in the sort of guests that we have on board. But Gemini’s focus on either business alternative for, you know, recently, I’ve had a shared a snippet from an interview that I had with Pablo Escobar’s son, because of his earlier inspiration in my life. And so you know, we have Dr. John Demartini, he was the one of the original contributors to The Secret. Bruce Lipton, we’ve had on as a guest. We’ve also had on Richard Bandler, who was one of the founders of NLP. So you know, we’ve had some really amazing guests on there, but it’s really just to give people an insight to, to new ways of thinking new ways of being, I also have Freddie Starr, who’s a specialist in alternative history. And in just giving some, sharing some insights on the true essence of who we are, as opposed to what we’re told by mainstream historians on mainstream media. So it’s important to understand and, you know, do your research, and so I just want people to start thinking differently, as opposed to what they’ve traditionally been taught by the mainstream.
Emmalou Penrod 22:21
And that is so empowering. You know, it starts with our thoughts. we change our thoughts, we change our lives.
Ryan Jackson 22:30
Yes. 1,000,000% 1,000,000%.
Emmalou Penrod 22:33
Oh, I love it. So how do people contact you?
Ryan Jackson 22:38
So, I can be contacted. My website is www.ryanjackson.org. So on there, you can find various links to my social platforms. I’m on Instagram, the success, rebellion. And also LinkedIn, you can find me under Ryan Jackson. And The Success Rebellion book is available on Amazon. It’s also soon to be available on iBooks as well, as well as Audible. So yeah, you know, check it out. As I say, I’m probably slightly biased, because I wrote it, but really it is so so powerful, and will definitely provide people with the necessary guidance on how they can create more fulfilling lives and achieve what it is that they perceive as being success.
Emmalou Penrod 23:26
I am fully prepared to believe, just having experienced your energy, just talking to you these few minutes. I, I fully believe that book is very valuable.
Ryan Jackson 23:40
Thank you. Yes, it is it is it is a powerful read. And so I just hope that it allows others to start to live, you know, inspiring lives as well and living life in accordance to the innermost desires and wants.
Emmalou Penrod 23:56
Well, thank you so much, because the world needs more positive energy right now. We need more positive energy, people with a positive mindset. Thank you, and you have it in a massive amount. I’m very impressed.
Ryan Jackson 24:12
No, appreciate. Yeah. And you’re right. I’ve released the book last month. And the timing couldn’t be better just for the fact of what we’re going through at this moment in time. And because of all the things that are happening in this world, as you say, it’s necessary to have that, that positivity, and to provide people with a roadmap of how they could change. We have so many changes happening, especially with so many people leaving or losing their jobs. And I don’t necessarily think we’ve seen half of it as it is. It provides them with, you know, some form of hope of, actually, you know what, that job wasn’t really serving me or it provided me with a level of income where I was able to survive, but it was never really providing me with what I needed to be where it is that I am here to be. And so you know, sometimes, as I said, the negatives, sometimes we don’t necessarily see them and so losing your job could actually be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Why? Because of the opportunity to start again. And it’s only because comfort, security, that you probably fell into a job that you really never really truly enjoyed. Anyway, you wasn’t necessarily living your passion. So now’s your opportunity to do just that. start living life in accordance to what it is that you desire, and what really makes you happy and what you’re truly passionate about.
Emmalou Penrod 25:36
What a precious opportunity that is. I’ve talked to several people who have started their own business, and are much happier.
Ryan Jackson 25:44
Most definitely. And I think this is it. You know, it’s about coming away from mediocracy. And, you know, start to actually consciously ask yourselves the questions. Am I happy? What is it that I’m doing? No, I’m, I’m exchanging my time for money. But am I exchanging it in a way that really fulfills me? So these are the questions, the difficult questions, but these are the questions that we need to be asking ourselves.
Emmalou Penrod 26:11
And you said one other powerful word early on, you said purpose. It’s this chance to ask, are we living our purpose?
Ryan Jackson 26:20
1,000,000% because many of us aren’t. And so it’s about discovering what it is that our purpose is, and then start moving towards that direction. When you start to do so, the universe starts to unveil all these different opportunities and synchronicities and life begins to then start to begin effortless, and you just move in that flow of opportunity.
Emmalou Penrod 26:45
Ryan, thank you so much. I love your message. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Ryan Jackson 26:50
Appreciate you. Thank you.
Emmalou Penrod 26:52
I’ll have those links on my website. You have a great day.
Ryan Jackson 26:58
Thank you very much and thank you for having me on as a guest. Appreciate it.