Nicholas Barnes is a military veteran turned multi-skilled therapist and performance coach. He was recently interviewed by Famo Celebrity Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with him.
Introduction – Can you tell us a bit about your yourself?
I’m a military veteran turned multi-skilled therapist and performance coach, my life took a massive turn after surviving major mental and physical battles, rebuilding myself, and dedicating everything I do to helping people overcome burnout, trauma, and life’s toughest challenges.
Today I work with professionals, veterans, and anyone ready to take back control of their life, i specialise in emotional intelligence, NLP, mindset training, and high performance coaching, blending real-world experience with deep human behaviour understanding.
My mission is simple:
I help people rise again, rebuild their power, and become the strongest version of themselves.
That’s who I am a survivor, a teacher, and someone who believes every person has a warrior inside them.
Personal Background – Can you share a little experience about your Upbringing and Early Life?
I grew up in a military family, so moving around was a normal part of life, even though we were constantly changing locations, I always managed to make good friends wherever we went, that experience shaped a lot of who I am today adapting quickly, connecting with people from all walks of life, and finding stability within myself even when everything around me was shifting.
My upbringing was solid, my family provided structure, discipline, and strong values, but they also gave me the space to be myself, the constant change taught me resilience from a young age how to stay grounded, how to handle uncertainty, and how to keep pushing forward no matter what life threw my way.
Those early years built the foundation for the mindset and strength I carry with me today.
Career and Achievements – What do you consider the Highlights of your Career so far?
The highlights of my career so far aren’t just the titles, they’re the turning points.
Serving as a military veteran is one of them, the discipline, teamwork, and intensity of that world shaped me deeply and taught me what real leadership and courage look like.
Another major highlight has been rebuilding myself after overcoming huge personal challenges mental, physical, and emotional, rising from that transformed me, and it’s what led me into the work I do today.
Becoming a multi-skilled therapist and coach is also a defining milestone, helping people overcome burnout, stress, trauma, and life barriers has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey every client success, every breakthrough, every life rebuilt those are the moments that matter.
And finally, building the Incredible Warriors brand and using my story to inspire thousands has been a true honour turning pain into purpose, service, and impact will always be one of the greatest highlights of my life.
Challenges and Growth – What are some of the Challenges you’ve faced in your Career, and how did you Overcome them?
I’ve faced quite a few challenges in my career, some professional, some deeply personal.
One of the biggest was rebuilding myself after life hit hard, i went through periods of mental pressure, physical setbacks, and moments where I had to completely re-evaluate who I was, where I was going, and what truly mattered, it forced me to look inward, confront difficult truths, and rebuild from the ground up.
Another challenge was stepping into a new path after the military. Transitioning into civilian life, finding a new purpose, and creating a career that aligned with my values wasn’t easy, it took resilience, patience, and a lot of self-development.
And like many people, I’ve dealt with setbacks, criticism, and moments of doubt, but I learned to use them as fuel rather than obstacles, every challenge taught me emotional intelligence, discipline, and the importance of protecting your mental health.
I overcame these challenges by doing the inner work relearning myself, building healthier habits, taking responsibility for my healing, and turning pain into purpose, that journey is what shaped my mission today: helping others rise through their own struggles and become stronger on the other side.
Passions and Hobbies – What are your Interests and Hobbies outside of your Career?
Outside of my career, I stay grounded through a few things that genuinely keep me balanced.
The gym is a big part of my life, not just for physical fitness, but for clarity, discipline, and mental reset, training has always been one of my safest spaces to think, breathe, and stay focused.
I also enjoy reading and learning. I’m always diving into psychology, human behaviour, mindset, and anything that helps me understand people on a deeper level, growth is something I take seriously, even outside of work.
I love spending time in nature, going for walks, and taking moments to recharge away from noise, it keeps me centred.
And honestly, I enjoy simple things too, good conversations, connecting with people, travelling when I can, and just experiencing life without pressure.
Those hobbies keep me grounded, inspired, and aligned with who I am beyond the work I do.
Milestones and Future Goals – What are some of the Milestones you hope to Achieve in the coming years?
Looking ahead, there are several milestones I’m determined to achieve in the coming years.
Firstly, I want to expand The Incredible Warriors into a global platform that supports millions of people struggling with burnout, stress, trauma, and life transitions, i see it becoming a recognised hub for mental resilience, emotional strength, and real personal transformation.
I also plan to release some books, programs, and resources including my larger burnout and mindset projects to help people not just survive, but rebuild and thrive.
Another milestone is speaking on bigger stages, i want to share my story and message internationally, from corporate events to veteran communities, and inspire others to take control of their lives through resilience, self-awareness, and honest healing.
And personally, one of my goals is to continue growing mentally, physically, spiritually, and professionally, i want to keep evolving as a coach, leader, and human being.
Ultimately, every milestone I aim for is rooted in one mission:
To help people rise stronger than they ever believed possible.
Life Lessons – What is the most Valuable Lesson you’ve learned in your Life or Career?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is this, your life will change the moment you take responsibility for your healing, your direction, and your choices.
For a long time, I thought strength meant pushing through everything alone, but life taught me that real strength comes from self-awareness knowing when to fight, when to let go, and when to rebuild yourself from the inside out.
I’ve learned that resilience isn’t something you discover in the easy moments; it’s something you earn in the moments that break you, and you grow the most when you stop running from your truth and start facing it head-on.
Another huge lesson is that your past doesn’t define you, your response to it does, everything you survive can either harden you or shape you, i chose to let it shape me into someone better.
At the end of the day, the most valuable lesson is simple, you are responsible for the person you become, and you are powerful enough to rewrite your story at any moment.
Advice for Aspiring Artists – What advice would you give to Young Artists looking to make a Mark in the Industry?
My biggest advice to young artists is this, protect your identity, protect your craft, and trust your own voice more than the noise around you.
The industry can be loud, competitive, and sometimes discouraging, but the people who make a real impact are the ones who stay connected to who they are, don’t try to fit into every trend, trends fade, authenticity lasts.
Be patient with your growth, success doesn’t happen overnight, and the journey is what strengthens you, keep improving your skills, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to experiment or fail, every setback is a stepping stone.
Surround yourself with people who genuinely support your vision, not just the version of you that benefits them, your environment matters more than you think.
And finally, understand this:
Your art is your truth, and when you create from honesty, from emotion, and from your own story, that’s when you stand out.
Believe in the long game. Believe in the work, and most importantly, believe in yourself even when nobody else does.
Rapid-Fire Round:
*Favorite book or movie name?
The Count of Monte Cristo, the ultimate story of resilience, rebirth, and destiny.
*One word to describe yourself?
Resilient.
*If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Marcus Aurelius, his philosophy on discipline, leadership, and inner strength still applies today.
*Favorite travel destination?
Greece, the history, the landscapes, the energy, and the feeling of clarity it gives you.
In the Last, what are your Social Media Platform Links?
Website: https://theincrediblewarriors.org
Instagram: @nicholasbarnes25
Facebook (Public Figure Page): @NicholasBarnes25
The Incredible Warriors Facebook Business Page: @theincrediblewarriors25
Linkedin: Nicholas Barnes
