Listen "Lindsay Reid on Burnout, Body Confidence, and Building a Brand That’s Actually Real | Episode 29"
Episode Synopsis
Lindsay Reid spent over a decade in the high-pressure world of corporate PR, handling everything from national crises to celebrity campaigns. But behind the polished press releases was someone quietly battling burnout, craving creativity, and questioning if there was more to life than 4am phone calls and stress.
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Lindsay to uncover what happens when the face behind the press finally steps into the spotlight. From international badminton courts to singing in pubs, from mental health events to launching her own PR consultancy Lindsay’s journey is anything but typical.
This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and returning to what truly inspires and energises you. Lindsay doesn’t hold back as she shares the real truths about working in comms, building a business, and why relationships are the real currency in life and PR.
Whether you're a business owner trying to build a brand, someone burnt out from the corporate grind, or a creative soul stuck in a 9-to-5 box, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite the rules and do things your way.
Key moments include:
✔️ How playing international badminton shaped her work ethic
✔️ The leap from journalism to karaoke singer to PR pro
✔️ Honest truths about burnout and identity loss in corporate life
✔️ Starting a business on the side while working full-time
✔️ What PR really is - and how to use it to build your personal brand
✔️ Why your online presence matters more than ever
✔️ How one event gave her the confidence to take the leap for good
✔️ The power of consistency, reputation, and saying yes before you're ready
Follow James Fleming:
LinkedIn → James Fleming
Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → Success or Excuses Podcast
Website → thepowerwithintraining.com
Follow Lindsay Reid:
LinkedIn → Lindsay Reid
Website → lindsayreidpr.com
Timestamps:
[00:00] Meet Lindsay Reid - PR consultant with a passion for people
[00:09] The secret to great PR: storytelling, emotion, and value
[00:38] Saying yes to the unknown, from wellness to music to business
[03:00] Why PR is a long game (and not a quick win)
[06:00] The podcast that changed James’ life (and Lindsay's role in it)
[08:00] Lindsay’s early life as an international badminton player
[10:00] From journalism to karaoke nights, rediscovering creativity
[12:00] Landing a role at Stagecoach and the realities of corporate PR
[14:00] Learning the hard way: big campaigns, big pressure, big lessons
[15:20] Creating a body confidence movement while working full-time
[18:30] Why passion projects are sometimes the path forward
[20:00] Building a business based on trust, energy and great people
[22:00] PR vs Marketing and why both are crucial
[27:00] The real face behind the suit: balancing image and authenticity
[30:00] The story of how James’ LinkedIn post went viral
[33:00] Why PR is in everything even your employees’ social media
[39:00] Reputation management, mistakes, and how to recover from them
[44:00] The compound effect of showing up (even when it’s quiet)
[50:00] Lindsay’s top advice for building a business and a brand
In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Lindsay to uncover what happens when the face behind the press finally steps into the spotlight. From international badminton courts to singing in pubs, from mental health events to launching her own PR consultancy Lindsay’s journey is anything but typical.
This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and returning to what truly inspires and energises you. Lindsay doesn’t hold back as she shares the real truths about working in comms, building a business, and why relationships are the real currency in life and PR.
Whether you're a business owner trying to build a brand, someone burnt out from the corporate grind, or a creative soul stuck in a 9-to-5 box, this conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to rewrite the rules and do things your way.
Key moments include:
✔️ How playing international badminton shaped her work ethic
✔️ The leap from journalism to karaoke singer to PR pro
✔️ Honest truths about burnout and identity loss in corporate life
✔️ Starting a business on the side while working full-time
✔️ What PR really is - and how to use it to build your personal brand
✔️ Why your online presence matters more than ever
✔️ How one event gave her the confidence to take the leap for good
✔️ The power of consistency, reputation, and saying yes before you're ready
Follow James Fleming:
LinkedIn → James Fleming
Instagram → @successorexcusespodcast
YouTube → Success or Excuses Podcast
Website → thepowerwithintraining.com
Follow Lindsay Reid:
LinkedIn → Lindsay Reid
Website → lindsayreidpr.com
Timestamps:
[00:00] Meet Lindsay Reid - PR consultant with a passion for people
[00:09] The secret to great PR: storytelling, emotion, and value
[00:38] Saying yes to the unknown, from wellness to music to business
[03:00] Why PR is a long game (and not a quick win)
[06:00] The podcast that changed James’ life (and Lindsay's role in it)
[08:00] Lindsay’s early life as an international badminton player
[10:00] From journalism to karaoke nights, rediscovering creativity
[12:00] Landing a role at Stagecoach and the realities of corporate PR
[14:00] Learning the hard way: big campaigns, big pressure, big lessons
[15:20] Creating a body confidence movement while working full-time
[18:30] Why passion projects are sometimes the path forward
[20:00] Building a business based on trust, energy and great people
[22:00] PR vs Marketing and why both are crucial
[27:00] The real face behind the suit: balancing image and authenticity
[30:00] The story of how James’ LinkedIn post went viral
[33:00] Why PR is in everything even your employees’ social media
[39:00] Reputation management, mistakes, and how to recover from them
[44:00] The compound effect of showing up (even when it’s quiet)
[50:00] Lindsay’s top advice for building a business and a brand
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