On this week’s show I’ll be looking at how you can achieve your best potential for a healthy lifestyle in your 40s. I’m joined by Dr Marc Bubbs, naturopathic doctor and performance nutrition lead for Canada Basketball. His new book, Peak 40 looks to give you all the tools you need to reignite your energy and passion at any age, but particularly in your 40s. Marc says between the age of 41 to 48 many of us hit a low period when it comes to happiness: “There’s that idea that our mindset is being i...
Oct 21, 2021•21 min
On this week’s show I’ll be talking about sleep, something so many people are interested in - probably because we feel we aren’t getting enough. With many workers having returned to the office, how will this impact our sleep? I’m joined by Professor Andrew Coogan, behavioural neuroscientist who specialises in sleep. He is also the director of the Chronobiology and Sleep Research Laboratory at Maynooth University. Andrew says there are many reasons why we need sleep, including for learning and me...
Oct 14, 2021•26 min
On this week’s Real Health episode, I’m bringing you the top ten tips you’ll need to overhaul your diet. No fads, no gimmicks, just easy things you can do to improve your health. I’ll be looking at why we shouldn’t skip meals, the importance of hydration and why incorporating colour into every meal can be a simple yet effective way to improve what you eat. To discuss all this, I’m joined by Dietitian with the Dublin Nutrition Centre, Aveen Bannon. Aveen says we can over complicate health. She sa...
Oct 07, 2021•23 min
On this week’s show I’m talking about sex, the importance of communication and the stigma around seeking help for sexual issues. My guest is sex and relationship educator Grace Alice O’Shea. Grace has a qualification in Occupational Therapy and a master’s in Health Promotion, specialising in sexual health. She says she is passionate about making Ireland a more sex-positive country, where people can talk about all aspects of sexuality, without feeling a sense of shame or stigma. Grace says while ...
Sep 30, 2021•29 min
On this week’s show, how to get motivated and how to stay motivated. Many people feel they put on weight over the summer with a change in routine and increased alcohol consumption. This is totally normal. We’ve all been through a tough year and a half, and we’ve had the chance to enjoy a slice of normality over the summer so don’t beat yourself up. Get a pen and paper out when you’re listening and take note of the tips that you think will work for you. Give it a little bit of time. One, two or t...
Sep 23, 2021•24 min
On this week’s show, I’ll be talking about the menstrual cycle. For far too long periods have been a taboo subject. Each month many women are faced with bleeding, severe pain and a litany of menstrual problems. However, with new attitudes, treatments and technological developments things are changing. Joining me to talk about periods, pain and irregular cycles is leading expert Dr. Caoimhe Hartley, GP & Menopause Specialist. For more episodes, tips and advice from the show just go to: www.in...
Sep 16, 2021•29 min
On this week’s show, I’ll be talking about Suicide Awareness in Ireland. Every year suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths globally. Even though attitudes have changed in recent years, there is still a stigma surrounding suicide. We can all play a role in reaching out to someone we think in is in need – no one should suffer in silence. Last month Pieta House launch their: ‘Know the Signs Campaign’, which aims to help people recognise suicide warning signs and what someone can do to help. Joini...
Sep 09, 2021•21 min
On this week’s show I’ll be talking about the prevalence of smoking in Ireland. Ireland is recognised as a global leader in tobacco control having developed extensive treatment programmes for those struggling with tobacco and nicotine dependence. But can the country reach its goal of becoming tobacco free by 2025? Joining me on this week’s podcast is Dr Damien Lowry, Senior Counselling Psychologist and chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Damien has lot of really good advice...
Sep 02, 2021•29 min
On this week’s show I’ll be talking about pelvic floor physiotherapy. One in three women leak urine – it is a massive problem in this country. Some women will have a severe urge to pee, which can happen very often, hourly, or more and it can have them up several times at night. These women though they are not leaking, their lives are ruled by their bladders. It is also an issue for many men. But there is help out there. Joining me on this week’s podcast to discuss the pelvic floor and the treatm...
Aug 26, 2021•28 min
On this week’s episode of the Real Health podcast, I'll be discussing anxiety, what it is and how we can offer support to someone who has it. I’m joined by Counselling Psychologist and anxiety expert Dr Rachel Allan, to talk about how we can help somebody with anxiety, by becoming better listeners, supporting them when they try to make a change and how to look after our own mental health in the process. Rachel’s new book, How to Help Someone With Anxiety, looks at just that. It's a practical gui...
Aug 19, 2021•27 min
This week’s Real Health episode is all about pain. Chronic pain is something that impacts many in Ireland, with chronic back pain one of the most common forms that people suffer from. On the show, I’ll be talking about what pain really is, our understanding of it and how some pain can be contagious. I’m joined by doctor and clinical fellow at Oxford University, Monty Lyman, who is an expert in pain. Monty’s new book, The Painful Truth explores the world of pain. It looks at cutting-edge research...
Aug 12, 2021•29 min
On this week’s show, I’ll be talking about cocaine addiction in Ireland. The latest figures released by the Health Research Board, shows the number of people seeking treatment for problem cocaine use has increased, with the number of crack cocaine cases increasing by 400 per cent in recent years. The HRB says last year, cocaine was the only substance where they saw an increase in those entering treatment for. To discuss cocaine use in Ireland, I’m joined by Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Col...
Aug 05, 2021•29 min
On this week’s show, I’m talking all about healthy aging, the myths around it, and why it’s important to keep exercising as we get older. I’m joined by personal trainer and fitness expert Jacqueline Hooton, who specialises in how to stay active in your 50s and 60s. She’s all about promoting active ageing, while helping to avoid physical decline in midlife. Jacqueline is an expert on knowing the importance of exercise, especially for women after menopause: “Bone health can massively decrease beca...
Jul 29, 2021•25 min
This week we’re going to talk about running injuries and how to avoid them. Running has become one of the most popular ways to improve fitness, and to stay in shape. Especially during lockdown when gyms, team sports and swimming pools were off limits. But most runners must deal with injury at some point. Most injuries are caused by repetitive stress, but sudden injuries like a sprained ankle or a torn muscle can happen, too. I’m joined by Peter Francis author of Running From Injury. Why Runners ...
Jul 22, 2021•22 min
We all know drinking plenty of water is good for us. But how else can water improve our health and well being? On this week’s show, I’m talking about how we can embrace water, from the sea to the shower - looking at the other ways it can help us. I’m joined by Dr Catherine Kelly, geography academic and Director of the Wild Beach School in Brighton. She’s the author of the new book Blue Spaces: How and Why Water Can Make You Feel Better. Catherine believes water can be beneficial to our mental as...
Jul 15, 2021•23 min
This week, I’m joined by one of the world's leading brain surgeons and neuroscientists, Dr Rahul Jandial. We discuss how our brains process stress and how to enhance its performance so we can work better under pressure. Dr Jandial says the brain needs stress to be able to cope with future challenges, but too much can be detrimental: “We need stress in life. If we don’t have enough stress, we become brittle. Too much, and we break. This is true at the cellular level, too. Not enough stress and st...
Jul 08, 2021•26 min
This week it’s all about wellness and I’m giving you my top ten tips for increasing your wellbeing. This episode is jam packed with lots of helpful ideas to improve your health and happiness. Firstly, it’s important to decide what wellness means to you and what exactly you’d like to change. I’ll take you through strategies for achieving your goals, eating well, sleeping well and reducing your stress levels. I don’t know about you, but I often have so many thoughts running through my head that it...
Jul 01, 2021•25 min
This week we’re talking about CPR after Danish mid-fielder Christian Eriksen received emergency medical treatment on the pitch when he collapsed recently because of a cardiac arrest during the first half of the Euros clash with Finland in Copenhagen. Thankfully Erikson is recovering and he will have a heart-starter device implanted so he doesn’t suffer further arrests. I’m joined by Galway GP Dr Brian Higgins to talk us through CPR. Brian explains the difference between cardiac arrest and heart ...
Jun 24, 2021•17 min
This week I’m talking about confidence, why it's important and how we can stay confident in the face of failure. I’m joined by clinical psychologist and neuroscientist Ian Robertson, who has written the new book ‘How Confidence Works: The new science of self belief, why some people learn it and others don’t’. Ian says having confidence can empower us to reach heights never thought possible: ‘It could make us healthier, live longer, happier and more motivated. But if you don't have confidence, it...
Jun 17, 2021•27 min
On this week’s show, I’m talking about weight loss, how to build a strong plan and what to do if you hit challenges along the way. I’m joined by Trisha Lewis, of Trisha’s Transformation who has been incredibly honest about her weight loss journey so far. ‘I don’t know how I didn’t cop it already Karl but I had an eating disorder…I have a binge eating disorder and from there I went to therapy and I realised I needed a bit of help with my head and from the first session everything made sense to me...
Jun 10, 2021•28 min
This week’s Real Health episode is all about gut health. Irritable bowel syndrome is a bit of a taboo subject but it is estimated to effect one in ten people. It impacts two and half times more women than men and can have a significant impact on a person’s sex life, relationships, work and social activities. But it doesn’t have to be that way! I’m joined by is a consultant gastroenterologist Professor Barbara Ryan and registered dietician Elaine McGowan AKA The Gut Experts to talk about managing...
Jun 02, 2021•26 min
This week’s show is all about the menopause. Although it directly affects half the population, the menopause has remained a stubbornly taboo topic. 80% of women who reach menopause suffer symptoms but are often misdiagnosed. Now the shroud of secrecy has finally started to lift. British TV presenter Davina McCall has made a documentary on the topic and shared her own HRT journey. And here in Ireland, Joe Duffy’s Liveline was kept going for over a week with listeners sharing their menopause story...
May 27, 2021•35 min
This week I break down the six foundations of fat loss with personal trainer and podcast host Larry Doyle. Larry has some great simple tips to boost your fat loss and improve your mood, energy and sex life too! According to Larry food isn’t as important as you might think. It’s all about sleep, stress management, digestion, exercise, and mental wellbeing. Only when you have looked at all those things is it time to examine your food intake. Larry is all about sustainable progress and making small...
May 20, 2021•31 min
On this week’s show is all about getting out of the food rut you’re stuck in and giving you some inspiration to cook delicious, healthy meals. Ballyknocken TV Chef Catherine Fulvio is here with her top five tips for healthier eating. Catherine has plenty of ideas on how to inject flavour into your meals as well as some simple inspiration on how to get creative. ‘It’s very off-putting seeing Instagram pictures of perfect fridges with nothing in it except glass boxes of breakfasts, lunches and din...
May 13, 2021•21 min
Ireland’s Leading Health and Performance coach Gerry Hussey is my guest on this week’s Real Health podcast. Gerry is a firm friend of the show and he’ll be talking through five ways to maximize your potential as we come out of lockdown. It has been a hugely difficult year for everyone and although we’ve had good news recently people are anxious about the return to ‘normal’. For many of us the thoughts of returning to the workplace and the commute is stressful. Gerry has lots of tips on how to de...
May 06, 2021•45 min
On this week’s show I’m joined by Laura Jordan of Style Savvy.ie. Laura is an expert style consultant on a mission to show people how to shop with confidence. We’ll be talking about the relationship between image and confidence and how everyone can feel more self-assured in the office. "I am passionate about making people feel good and look good…there is a huge correlation between self image, self esteem and self confidence, in terms of personal and professional achievements, whatever they may b...
Apr 29, 2021•27 min
In 2007 Dermot Whelan, arrived at a comedy festival in an ambulance after having a panic attack en route. Realising this was not a sustainable way to travel to future gigs, he decided to become a meditation teacher and learn how to de-stress without annoying the emergency services. Back then Dermot felt awful. He was waking up in the middle of the night with a pounding heart and a frantic mind. But in this episode, he tells me how learning how to meditate and become more mindful brought a sense ...
Apr 22, 2021•27 min
On this week’s show I’ll be talking about the six key principals to finding happiness with Prof Brendan Kelly: Author of The Science of Happiness. Brendan is here to answer the big life questions like: Will having a baby make you happy? Are women happier than men? Will earning lots of money satisfy you? Do politics and religion really matter? Prof Kelly is a consultant psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital and professor of psychiatry at TCD. His book is a psychiatrist’s exploration of how...
Apr 15, 2021•31 min
On this week’s show I am talking to Derrick Evans, AKA Mr Motivator, who many of you will remember from his lycra clad TV workouts in the 1990s. As well as his TV work, Mr Motivator has sold millions of workout DVDs, run an eco-tourism resort in Jamacia and has now turned his attention to "the forgotten groups" with the launch of his ‘Mr Motivator Club’ here in Ireland. The Club is suitable for people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities. Mr Motivator tells me he is a firm believer in makin...
Apr 07, 2021•26 min
This week’s show is part of our ‘Life Lessons’ series with some of Ireland’s most famous personalities and my guest today, Mairead Ronan, is certainly no stranger to the Irish TV and radio landscape. She has been working hard in the industry for nearly twenty years. Mairead started her career on The Ray D’arcy Show, hosts Fittest Families, won Dancing with The Stars in 2019 and now presents her own daily radio show on Today Fm. On top of all that she co-owns a hair-styling equipment business cal...
Mar 31, 2021•30 min
