HOW MY JOURNEY BEGAN…
Hi there! I’m Ricky, and if you’re here, you probably want to know who I am, why I do what I do, and how I ended up juggling confidence coaching, public speaking, magic, and hosting a podcast that’s all about helping people unlock their best selves. So, grab a cuppa (or a cocktail—no judgement), and let me tell you my story.
IT ALL STARTED IN RETAIL…
I never planned to become a confidence coach. In fact, fresh out of school, I didn’t really have a plan at all. So after a year of 6th form, I fell into retail, in one of the UK’s most popular digital retailer, Argos. Starting from the ground up and eventually working my way through every role imaginable—team leader, stock manager, customer service manager, store manager, and finally, a national trainer for the whole company. (If you have ever experienced a digital argos store inside a Sainsburys, the chances are it was me and my team that helped launch that store.) Along the way, I discovered what truly lit me up: standing in front of a room, inspiring people, and watching their confidence grow.
As a national trainer, I ran workshops on culture, leadership development, team building, and personal development. I felt like a young Tony Robbins (minus the giant teeth and the stadium crowds… for now). But when the company was sold, and the values shifted, I lost my spark. So, like any sensible person with no backup plan, I decided to go full-in to my part time business and pivoted into magic. Yes, magic.
FROM CARD TRICKS TO CONFIDENCE COACHING
I was always fascinated with magic, and it wasn’t until I became a late teenager that I started to experiment by bringing tricks to the pub to entertain my mates and then eventually bringing magic into my corporate career where I would use them as ways to engage my team or even entertain a few colleagues in the staffroom. The popularity of my magic soon grew and what started as a side hustle for weddings and events turned into a full-time successful entertainment business. I performed close-up magic, kept guests entertained during drinks receptions, and even became a magical wedding emcee. It was fun, but wanted to do more than dazzle people with card tricks—I wanted to help them transform their lives.
During this transformational quest, I launched a global podcast called UNLOCKED. The sole premise to use my experience as a national trainer, personal development and coaching to understand how can we “Unlock the best version of ourselves and live an extraordinary life.”
On the podcast, a guest and mentor, Steve McDermott, changed everything. Steve saw something in me and invited me to collaborate with his company, The Confident Club. He also introduced me to the world of presentation mastery, NLP, and confidence coaching, and it felt like coming home. For the first time since my retail days, I felt that spark again.
This led me to pursue the wonderful world of personal development further by working with Jack Canfield, known for his work on self-esteem, the law of attraction, and motivation. He's also the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a pioneer in the field of personal development and peak performance. Into this journey, I studied with Jack and became a certified Jack Canfield Success Principles Trainer, which I now teach his principles inside of my coaching and keynote speaking.
WHAT I DO TODAY?
These days, I wear a few hats, I’m a:
Confidence Coach and Co-Director of The Confident Club, where we help senior leaders and teams at companies like Coca-Cola and Audible unlock “Presentation Mastery.” We’re passionate about helping people to dramatically increase their confidence to become the best versions of themselves
Professional Speaker, using magic, storytelling, and personal development techniques to help business owners and entrepreneurs get from where they are to where they want to be.
Success Principles Trainer, as a certified Jack Canfield Success Principles Trainer, I run workshops teaching the success principles with my own blend of personal development magic to help business owners get from where they are to where they want to be.
Podcast Host of UNLOCKED, where I interview inspiring people—from Olympians, coaches and authors to mental health experts—and share insights to help listeners live extraordinary lives.
Award-Winning Magician & Host, because sometimes, a bit of magic is exactly what people need to believe in the impossible.
WHY I DO WHAT I DO?
I do this because, I know what it’s like to feel stuck, coast through life on autopilot, and question if you’re living up to your potential. For years, I coasted through life, unknowingly limited by beliefs that didn’t serve me and were holding me back. It wasn’t until I discovered the power of NLP, personal development and confidence-building that I realised: I get to choose my success, my happiness, and my life’s direction.
Now, I’m on a mission to help others do the same. Whether it’s through workshops, keynote talks, or a bit of magic-infused coaching, my goal is simple: to help people unlock the best version of themselves and create lives they truly love.
What lights me up is the transformations I get to witness. Whether it’s someone gaining the courage to leave a job they hate, finally launching the business of their dreams, or speaking on a stage for the first time with confidence—it fills me with pride to know I’ve played a part in their success.
I also love the creativity of how I teach. My blend of storytelling, magic, and entertaining delivery makes learning fun and memorable for others, and it’s amazing to see how much more people absorb when they’re engaged and enjoying the process.
A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT ME
I had my appendix removed in Mexico!
I climbed one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu and then had to pay over £3000 to get home! (It’s a long story!)
I am the biggest Blink-182 fan!
I once performed over 100 virtual magic shows during lockdown and realised Zoom audiences are just as crazy as live ones.
If you’re ready to build unshakable confidence, take bold action, and have a bit of fun along the way, let’s connect. I promise to bring the energy, the inspiration, and ensure your audience talks about your event, long after it’s finished!