From Law to Legacy: PJ Ellis on Purpose, Pain and What Really Matters
Today I’d love to introduce you to PJ Ellis. We first met at an event I was leading, where he was a panel member, and I instantly liked him and thought he was just brilliant. We’ve kept in touch, and I have finally managed to get him to fit me into his busy schedule to come and be a guest on the Purpose Pursuit podcast. And our conversation did not disappoint. It was one of those chats that I know will leave a lasting impression. Not because it was polished or perfectly structured, but because it was real.
From the second we started to talk I knew this episode would be something special. PJ and I have so many overlaps - same city, same uni, same age. But it was honestly so much better than I could have hoped for. We simply pressed record, started to chat, and PJ’s story, humour, positivity and wisdom just seemed to tumble out with ease.
PJ is a lawyer by training, a former Big Brother housemate, a proud dad and husband and the co-founder of LoveBrum, a charity doing incredible things for the people of Birmingham. He’s also the previous owner of a creative agency and a current presenter on BBC WM (I am so jealous of this!). But more than any of that, he is simply the real deal.
He shows up with warmth, vulnerability, humour and heart. We covered so much together - identity, reinvention, grief, strength, legacy - and we may have even shed a tear or two for good measure.
How PJ walked away from a successful law career to pursue something more meaningful
The unexpected highs and lows of reality TV, and why it’s just one small part of his story
Why founding LoveBrum helped him reconnect with his hometown in a deeper way
The valleys and vulnerabilities that shaped him - including personal grief and big life pivots
What he’s brilliant at, and what he’s still learning to let go of
Why knowing your values matters more than knowing your next move
His latest launch that's come from the deepest pain
And his beautiful answer to the question: “What would you say to someone who feels lost in their purpose?”
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right path, or wondered if it’s too late to change direction, PJ’s story will remind you that there’s always time, and that purpose isn’t something you find once. It’s something you keep choosing.
This episode is one of my favourites yet. It’s filled with humour, wisdom, and that unmistakable feeling of two people being honest in real time. I clocked our producer Matt watching the video as we were recording and he just kept having a little smile to himself - that’s always a good sign. And I’ve also got myself a new buddy. On top of the fun and friendship, it also reminded me that the most meaningful moments often come from simply telling the truth about where we are right now, and choosing to keep going anyway.
With love,
Hannah x
P.S. PJ is always launching something new, and his latest endeavour is called Mommy’s Boy - simply a space for men who’ve lost their mom. You can find our more here: https://mommysboy.co.uk and hear him share more of the story behind it in this week’s episode. You can also connect with PJ on LinkedIn to hear more from him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjellis/. Enjoy x