By Steve Conley, Founder, Academy of Life Planning
At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that no setback is final. The path from crisis to contribution, from despair to dignity, is not only possible—it’s a journey that can be mapped, planned, and walked with intention. The stories of Jamie Walker and Casey Fuller, two courageous individuals who faced the abyss and found a way back, highlight a truth we champion daily: recovery begins not just with income, but with insight, identity, and a plan.
When the Bottom Falls Out
Jamie Walker once earned £95,000 a year, with a career that spanned luxury brands and international ambassadorial roles. But life, as it often does, had other plans. Business losses, personal tragedy, and declining mental health left him reliant on Universal Credit. As Jamie describes it, he felt “vulnerable,” stripped of the ability to provide, and eventually faced hospitalisation due to psychosis and addiction.
Casey Fuller, too, battled demons—crippling anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Though eager to work, he was caught in a cycle of short-term jobs and inner turmoil, unsure how to rebuild or even where to begin.
For some, this chronic unease tips into depression, where—as existential psychologist Rollo May once wrote—
“depression is the inability to construct a future.”
These are not isolated cases. Millions in the UK face similar storms—whether through illness, redundancy, divorce, or loss. For many, Universal Credit becomes a temporary lifeline, but seldom a ladder out. So, what does?
Purpose Before Paycheque
Jamie’s turning point came when support from the Shaw Trust helped him reframe his identity—not just as a jobseeker, but as a creative with passion and potential. He reconnected with his love of acting, eventually landing film roles that reignited his confidence. Casey found stability and fulfilment in physical, purpose-driven work, gaining not only a wage but a new sense of worth and community.
This is the power of life planning.
At the Academy, we teach that money planning without life planning is like building a house without foundations. We guide individuals—whether high-flyers in crisis or underdogs rising from hardship—to rediscover who they are, what they value, and where they want to go. Only then do we look at the financial architecture to support that life.
The GAME Plan: A Map to Meaningful Recovery
Our method, the GAME Plan—Goals, Actions, Means, Execution—is rooted in ancient wisdom and modern practicality. It puts you at the centre of the equation, not your income, employer, or market value. Instead of asking “What job can I get?”, it asks “What life do I want to live?” and then helps align financial choices to that vision.
It’s how we move from survival to significance.
- Goals: What does a fulfilled, resilient life look like to you?
- Actions: What steps will move you toward that vision?
- Means: What resources—skills, time, community—can support you?
- Execution: How can you structure your time, habits, and finances to make it happen?
This is not financial advice in the traditional sense. It’s financial empowerment with a soul.
Planning Is the Opposite of Panic
When benefits are cut, when the job market feels indifferent, and when even showing up feels like a feat, the temptation is to react—to grasp for the nearest solution. But reaction often deepens the cycle. Planning, by contrast, restores control. It reconnects you to your future, however distant or damaged it may seem.
Walker and Fuller didn’t just find jobs. They found purpose. And that purpose helped them build resilience—not just economically, but emotionally and spiritually. As Jamie said, “With the right focus you can turn your situation around by having a sense of purpose and aligning a career with your values and capabilities.”
Reclaim Your Financial Independence — 100% Free
If you’re ready to take back control, we invite you to explore Planning My Life—a bold, empowering movement that gives you everything you need to shape your future without cost, without gatekeepers, and without the old rules.
Planning My Life combines our powerful AI Life Planner with a holistic wealth framework to help you create a personalised life plan that aligns your goals, values, and finances—bringing clarity, confidence, and real momentum.
💡 Why Planning My Life?
Because financial planning should be:
- Accessible to everyone
- Transparent and jargon-free
- Free from institutional control
We’re breaking down the barriers. No financial products. No sales agenda. Just support, tools, and community—free and yours to use.
What You Get — At No Cost:
✅ AI-Powered Life Planning – Tailor your life plan to your unique dreams and decisions
✅ Guidance from Steve Conley – Expert insights via Q&A, curated learning, and mentorship
✅ Full Access to Tools & Resources – Assessments, templates, videos, and self-directed pathways
✅ A Global Community – Connect with others on the path to independence and purpose
This is more than a platform. It’s a philosophy of freedom.
Rooted in values of empowerment, integrity, decentralisation, and personal growth, Planning My Life invites you to become your own planner—and part of a global movement to challenge financial inequality and end poverty.
No subscriptions. No upselling. Just real support to plan your life before you plan your money.
👉 Join the Movement — Start Planning Now 🚀
No bank details required. Leave anytime. It’s absolutely free.
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