💡 From Debt Prisoner to Life Planner: A Way Forward for Struggling Advisers

By Steve Conley, Founder – Academy of Life Planning

They say we’re the experts.
The ones people turn to for clarity, security, and peace of mind.

But what happens when the financial adviser is the one feeling trapped?

What happens when you are the one secretly battling the burden of debt?

🎭 The Hidden Reality of Adviser Debt

If you’re reading this, you might be where many others are quietly sitting:

Secretly worried about money.
Avoiding conversations with loved ones.
Pretending everything is fine, even when it’s not.
Asking yourself how it came to this.

You’re not alone.

In recent years, adviser debt levels have soared — and so too has distress. Some advisers have taken on six-figure loans to buy client books, only to watch repayments rise with interest rates, targets become unclear, and the pressure mount.

You may be in a situation where you can’t walk away without financial damage.
And you can’t keep going without emotional damage.

It’s a kind of quiet crisis. And no one wants to talk about it.

But I will.

🤐 When Silence Becomes a Cage

Many of the advisers I speak with — just like my Get SAFE clients — are suffering in silence. They’ve told no one, not even their partners. The shame is too heavy. After all, you’re supposed to have the answers. You’re the one who’s meant to be good with money.

But right now, you might feel like:

A debt prisoner,
Powerless to change direction,
Stuck in a business model that once inspired you, but now frightens you.

That silence is dangerous. But here’s the good news:

There is a way out. And it doesn’t begin with guilt. It begins with grace.

🌱 A GAME Plan for Advisers in Crisis

The GAME Plan is not just a framework. For many, it’s a lifeline.

It stands for Goals, Actions, Means, and Execution — a cyclical system designed to help you plan your life first, and your money second. And if you’re feeling trapped, this could be your first step toward freedom.

Here’s how it can help:

1. 🔦 A Personal Escape Route

The GAME Plan gives you a clear path out of the tunnel — just like we offer to victims of financial crime through our Get SAFE programme.
You don’t have to stay where you are.
I’m offering a free Rebuild & Thrive Masterclass specifically for advisers who feel burdened by debt. No shame. No judgment. Just a safe space to explore real options.

2. 📈 Boost Your Human Capital

GAME Plan training isn’t just personal — it’s professional.
It strengthens your planning skills, deepens client conversations, and enhances your value. You invest in yourself, improve your earnings potential, and start to earn your way out of debt with renewed clarity and purpose.

3. 🚪 A Future-Ready Career Shift

If staying regulated feels too heavy right now, there’s another route.
Becoming a Holistic Wealth Planner means operating outside the regulatory perimeter. There’s no ‘fit and proper’ barrier, and your debts don’t disqualify you.
It’s a spiritually and socially aligned business model for the Age of Aquarius — and a compelling option for those ready to step into a new kind of service.

🛠️ Your First Step Is Simple

You don’t need to make big decisions today. Just explore.

The Rebuild & Thrive Masterclass is free – designed for people exactly where you are.
Want to take it further? Academy Membership starts at £24/month – giving you access to tools, training, and community.
The GAME Plan Practitioner course is £395 one-off – no upsells, no complexity.

You’ve given so much to others. It’s time to take care of yourself.

💬 Final Word

If you’re stuck in debt and silence, I see you.
If you’re exhausted but don’t want to admit it, I understand.
And if you’re ready for something more honest, empowering, and aligned with who you truly are — I’m here to help.

This isn’t about escaping your past.
It’s about reclaiming your future.

Privately and respectfully.

👉 Join the free Rebuild & Thrive Masterclass or explore the GAME Plan Practitioner course today.

You are not alone.
You are not broken.
And you are not finished.

You can contact me in confidence at steve.conley@aolp.co.uk.

About Get SAFE

Get SAFE (Support After Financial Exploitation) was born from a simple truth: too many victims of financial abuse are left to suffer in silence.

We exist in memory of Ian Davis—for the ones who did everything right, only to be failed by the systems they trusted. We know that behind every vanished pension, every ignored complaint, and every stonewalled letter is a person—frightened, exhausted, and too often alone.

Get SAFE offers more than sympathy. We offer structure, support, and solidarity.
We provide a voice where there’s been silence, and clarity where there’s been confusion.
We stand beside those who have been exploited, not just to help them recover—but to help them reclaim their story and rebuild their future.

Because financial justice is not a luxury.
It’s a human right.

If you or someone you know has been affected by financial exploitation, we are here.
You are not alone.

Learn more about Get SAFE