The Courage to Communicate: Roy Coughlan on Overcoming Fear and Failure

In this powerful and inspiring episode of What Are You Made Of? , host Mike “C-Roc” sits down with Irish entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker Roy Coughlan , whose journey from humble beginnings in Cork, Ireland to building a life and business in Poland is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and personal growth. Roy is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with an impressive track record of founding 20 companies across five countries . As a business podcast coach and host, he has successfully launched and driven six podcasts to the top echelons of the industry , with all consistently ranking in the Top 5% and four reaching the prestigious Top 0.5% . Beyond podcasting, he is the co-founder of braingym.fitness , a platform dedicated to enhancing cognitive abilities and empowering individuals to optimize their mental performance, and co-founder of VA.World , where he connects clients with highly skilled Virtual Assistants to meet their diverse needs. In this candid conversation with C-Roc, Roy shares what it was like growing up in rough council housing in 1970s Ireland, where street fights were common and opportunities were scarce. From washing cars and cutting grass as a teen to studying construction management and climbing the corporate ladder, Roy always had an entrepreneurial spark — one that eventually led him to launch his own businesses abroad. But when the 2008 financial crash hit, he lost millions and faced over a hundred court cases in Poland, an experience that exposed him to deep corruption and ultimately pushed him toward his next mission: using his voice to make a difference . Roy also opens up about how he transformed from a shy young man who couldn’t even order a drink at the bar into a confident international speaker and podcast host with over 1,700 episodes under his belt. He shares how joining Toastmasters, facing his fears head-on, and leaning into discomfort helped him discover his true power — and why communication is the ultimate key to success. This episode is a reminder that the stories we tell ourselves can hold us back — or set us free. Roy’s journey proves that no matter where you start, you can rewrite your path, rebuild your life, and inspire others along the way. Website- https://roycoughlan.com/ https://va.world/ , https://braingym.fitness/ Social Media Links/handles: https://www.facebook.com/roycoughlan https://www.instagram.com/awakening.podcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roycoughlan/ https://x.com/poleire https://www.youtube.com/@roycoughlan https://www.tiktok.com/@roycoughlanpodcaster