Three Years Bedridden, Then Burnistoun, Outlander and Beyond: Kirsty Strain’s Comeback | Episode 38

Kirsty Strain didn’t just find her voice, she rebuilt it from the ground up. From spending her teenage years bedridden with severe illness to performing on the Edinburgh Playhouse stage, starring in hit Scottish TV shows, and coaching leaders on communication, Kirsty’s journey is one of grit, healing, and finding purpose in the most unexpected places.

In this episode of Success or Excuses, James Fleming sits down with Kirsty to uncover the true story behind the actor, the coach, and the woman who refused to stay silent. From losing her childhood to chronic illness, to rebuilding her life inch by inch, literally relearning how to walk, speak, socialise, and trust herself. This conversation goes deep into resilience, identity, and what it means to finally accept who you are.

Kirsty doesn’t just talk about confidence, she earned it the hard way. Whether she’s navigating getting knocked down by the flu during drama school, moving to New York with no safety net, or helping CEOs overcome imposter syndrome, every part of her story comes with raw honesty and powerful lessons you won’t forget.

This episode is filled with vulnerability, Scottish humour, and life-changing insights about fear, communication, self-worth, and the moments that make us. If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt behind in life, or struggled to find your voice, this one will hit home.

 

Key moments include:

✔️ Growing up wild, confident, and carefree, until illness changed everything ✔️ Being bedridden from 17 and losing mobility, social skills, confidence, and identity ✔️ Relearning life: sitting up for 5 minutes, standing at the door, walking to the bus stop ✔️ The emotional toll on her and her parents, including misdiagnosis and financial strain ✔️ Returning to Scottish Youth Theatre and slowly rebuilding confidence ✔️ Getting into Oxford School of Drama and being forced to leave after illness struck again ✔️ Choosing New York anyway and discovering resilience through struggle ✔️ Landing roles in Taggart, Burnistoun, Outlander, River City, Annika, and more ✔️ The comedy show that helped her rediscover joy even while she secretly battled self-doubt ✔️ How COVID led to a major personal breakthrough and deep self-work ✔️ Why she shifted into voice and communication coaching ✔️ Understanding relationships, alignment, presence, and stripping away limiting beliefs ✔️ Helping leaders, actors, and everyday people overcome nerves, fear, and imposter syndrome ✔️ The Rocky philosophy that literally helped save her life ✔️ Her top three pieces of advice (including a powerful Rocky lesson)

 

Follow James Fleming:

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflemingtpwtd/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/successorexcusespodcast

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SuccessorExcusesPodcast

Website → https://thepowerwithintraining.com/

 

Follow Kirsty Strain:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/kirstystrain/

Website→  https://www.kirstystrain.com/

 

 

 

Timestamps:

[00:00] James opens the episode and welcomes Kirsty [00:44] Kirsty introduces herself: actor, voice coach, unexpected career path [02:25] The illness that changed everything, being bedridden at 17 [12:58] Relearning life: mobility, anxiety, rebuilding from zero [18:45] Youth theatre, college, and slowly stepping back into the world [20:24] Oxford School of Drama and the heartbreak of having to return home [22:00] Choosing New York despite fear, low confidence, and financial struggle [30:50] Returning to the UK and starting from scratch in the acting industry [32:30] Breakthroughs: Taggart, Burnistoun, River City, Outlander [37:58] The one-woman comedy show and the hidden battle with self-criticism [39:21] COVID, setback, and a major personal transformation [51:06] How her coaching methods emerged and why they work [53:10] Who she helps and why communication is about presence, not performance [59:10] Accepting nerves, reframing fear, and building real confidence [01:04:13] Kirsty’s top three life lessons [01:10:05] How to connect with Kirsty