From relying on hand-me-downs in East London to becoming a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Jessen James has achieved what many would call the impossible. Last night, his extraordinary journey was celebrated as he received the Icon of the Training Industry Award, a prestigious honour recognising his transformative contributions to personal development and business training over the past decade, not just locally but around the globe. The award represents a monumental achievement for the 43-year-old, who began life in a modest immigrant household. Born to Mauritian parents, Jessen grew up facing financial hardships, racial discrimination, and the challenges of poverty. He never owned a pair of trainers growing up and relied on his school friend to pass down used clothes, but these struggles only fuelled his determination to succeed and ultimately help his family break away from the daily struggles they endured.