"I Had Dinner With The King. I Was Once Homeless" | John McCalla-Leacy

John McCalla-Leacy is a former KPMG global executive, coach, speaker, former international canoeist, martial arts champion and one of the most extraordinary origin stories ever told on this podcast. In this episode of Origin Story, John sits down with David McIntosh Jr for a deeply inspiring and almost unbelievable conversation abouzt homelessness, resilience, reinvention, race, social mobility, financial freedom, grief, leadership, faith in people, and what it really means to build a life that no one could have predicted. From growing up in South London as the son of Jamaican parents from the Windrush generation, to experiencing homelessness, competing internationally as a canoeist, working in fashion for Benetton, living across Italy, China, Hong Kong and Thailand, becoming a martial arts champion, joining KPMG, rising to become one of their top-performing partners in Asia and later Global Head of ESG, John’s story genuinely sounds impossible. But the most unbelievable part? A grant from The Prince’s Trust changed the direction of his life and years later, Queen Elizabeth II personally heard his story, passed it on to King Charles, and John ended up having dinner with the King. This is a powerful, funny, emotional, and life-affirming conversation about resilience, reinvention, community, money, leadership, identity, and learning how to turn the hardest parts of your story into the thing that carries you forward. Follow David McIntosh Jr: Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mcintosh-jr-47683b120/ Follow John McCalla-Leacy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mccalla-leacy/ Sponsored by Neutonic — the nootropic drink designed for focus, energy and getting stuff done. Use code DAVID at checkout. neutonic.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2no5bA7Ap7ScRXIfpOjvA2tiDOmzbEaoA9FgsUJhT2YoAn-3w

David McIntosh JrhostJohn McCalla-Leacyguest

Jun 5, 20261h 41mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: June 5, 2026
Duration: 1h 41m
Channel: Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

John McCalla-Leacy is a former KPMG global executive, coach, speaker, former international canoeist, martial arts champion and one of the most extraordinary origin stories ever told on this podcast. In this episode of Origin Story, John sits down with David McIntosh Jr for a deeply inspiring and almost unbelievable conversation abouzt homelessness, resilience, reinvention, race, social mobility, financial freedom, grief, leadership, faith in people, and what it really means to build a life that no one could have predicted. From growing up in South London as the son of Jamaican parents from the Windrush generation, to experiencing homelessness, competing internationally as a canoeist, working in fashion for Benetton, living across Italy, China, Hong Kong and Thailand, becoming a martial arts champion, joining KPMG, rising to become one of their top-performing partners in Asia and later Global Head of ESG, John’s story genuinely sounds impossible. But the most unbelievable part? A grant from The Prince’s Trust changed the direction of his life and years later, Queen Elizabeth II personally heard his story, passed it on to King Charles, and John ended up having dinner with the King. This is a powerful, funny, emotional, and life-affirming conversation about resilience, reinvention, community, money, leadership, identity, and learning how to turn the hardest parts of your story into the thing that carries you forward. Follow David McIntosh Jr: Instagram: @davidmcintoshjr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mcintosh-jr-47683b120/ Follow John McCalla-Leacy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mccalla-leacy/ Sponsored by Neutonic — the nootropic drink designed for focus, energy and getting stuff done. Use code DAVID at checkout. neutonic.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2no5bA7Ap7ScRXIfpOjvA2tiDOmzbEaoA9FgsUJhT2YoAn-3w

SPEAKERS

David McIntosh Jr
host
Host of Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr and interviewer guiding the conversation.
John McCalla-Leacy
guest
Formerly homeless South Londoner who became a KPMG equity partner and is connected with The Prince’s/King’s Trust and King Charles.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Origin Story w/ David McIntosh Jr, featuring David McIntosh Jr and John McCalla-Leacy, "I Had Dinner With The King. I Was Once Homeless" | John McCalla-Leacy explores from homelessness to global leadership: resilience, community, and reinvention mastery McCalla-Leacy frames adversity as “hydrodynamic drag” that can build strength, arguing that reframing hardship into training for resilience is a repeatable life skill.

RELATED EPISODES