Sponsored by Wilson Auctions ( wilsonauctions.com ) Join us for an inspiring episode of "What Makes You Tick" as we sit down with former professional rugby player Dev Toner! 🏉 In this candid conversation, Dev shares his journey from the rugby pitch to the world of financial wellness, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. Discover how he navigated the pressures of professional sport, the importance of camaraderie, and the lessons learned from both victories and defeats. ...
Jun 19, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode of "What Makes You Tick," host Stephen engages in a deep and insightful conversation with David Kearney, a former high-performance director for ladies' golf in Ireland and co-founder of Sigmoid Sports. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the importance of mental resilience in sports, the challenges of promoting golf among women, and the significance of creating a welcoming environment for newcomers to the game. David shares his journey in golf, from his early ...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this inspiring episode of "What Makes You Tick," I sit down with Corey and Alicia, a couple whose love story has weathered incredible challenges. After a devastating motorcycle accident left Corey with severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, their journey of recovery became a testament to resilience and unwavering support. Join us as they share their heartfelt story of love, determination, and the power of community. You'll hear about the pivotal moments in their recovery, the im...
Apr 21, 2025•55 min•Season 6Ep. 1
In this engaging episode of "What Makes You Tick," host Stephen welcomes Jacque Almeida, one of Ireland's top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. The conversation dives deep into Jacque's journey, from her challenging childhood in Brazil to her rise as a respected athlete and coach. Jacque shares her inspiring story of resilience, detailing her early struggles with family dynamics and self-worth, which shaped her into the strong woman she is today. The discussion highlights the transformative pow...
Mar 25, 2025•59 min
In this episode of "What Makes You Tick," host Stephen sits down with renowned sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley. The conversation delves into Jacqui's journey from being an athlete to becoming a prominent voice in sports media, highlighting her experiences in various sports, her groundbreaking role as the first female broadcaster in the GAA on the Sunday Game, and her passion for promoting inclusivity in sports. Jacqui's relaxed and jovial demeanour is backed by an unquestionable work ethic and ...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min
In this engaging episode of "What Makes You Tick," host Stephen welcomes David Gillick, a celebrated Irish athlete, European gold medalist, and mental health advocate. The conversation delves into David's journey from a promising athletic career to navigating the challenges of retirement and mental health. David reflects on his successful athletic career, including his European gold medal win in 2005, which marked a significant achievement in his life. He shares the exhilarating experience of co...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Yvonne Tchrackian on "What Makes You Tick." In this episode, Yvonne shares her journey and the seven steps to manifesting your dreams. Learn how to gain clarity, visualize your goals, and cultivate gratitude to transform your mindset.Don't miss out on this empowering discussion that could change the way you approach your life!👉 Listen now and visit http://whatmakesyoutick.net for more resources!#WhatMakesYouTick #Manifestation #Mindset #Podcast Hosted ...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this warm and engaging podcast episode, Stephen converses with Kim Skildum-Reid, a renowned sponsorship expert. They delve into the evolving sponsorship landscape, especially post-pandemic, highlighting strategies for engaging remote fans and adapting to changing consumer expectations. Kim shares her approach to inclusive strategy development, emphasizing stakeholder involvement and education. They discuss the influx of Middle Eastern investment in sports, the balance between technology and h...
Feb 02, 2025•47 min
A fantastic tale of highs and many many lows a career in tennis can offer you, if you don't happen to be part of the 1% of talented players. Conor Niland is Ireland's greatest tennis player who shared courts with Djokovic, Federrer, Murray, Roddick and trained with the Venus and Serena Williams. Conor shares his tales of a career that went unnoticed to those outside of the tennis world, but where he was seen as an inspiration within the tennis community. Conor is a laid back, warm and entertaini...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this warm and welcoming episode of "What Makes You Tick," Stephen sits down with Greg McWilliams, a high-performance coach and former head coach of the Irish women's rugby team. Greg shares his journey since returning to Ireland, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of his new role. He discusses his passion for coaching, the dynamics of professional women's sports, and the importance of personal growth. The conversation also touches on Greg's love for music and comedy, his podcast "All Wa...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min
This episode marks a real high point in the What Makes You Tick podcast journey. A live episode in front of an audience is something I always wanted to do. My nervousness and anticipation was evident but I know it is in those moments when we grow the most. Thanks to Sigmoid HQ for hosting and partnering with me for this event, hopefully the first of many. In this heartening episode of "What Makes You Tick Live," I welcome two remarkable guests: Darren O'Reilly, a former rugby pro and nutrition e...
Jun 03, 2024•53 min
Darren O'Reilly is an understated gent who has taken the nutrition industry by storm having created a nutritionally complete product called Whole Supp. Darren founded the brand with Dr. Brian Carson who is one of the leading nutritional scientist and they have created a phenomenal product.Segway: Anyone who wants to enjoy a special discount of the product, Darren has graciously provided a discount code 'whatmakesyoutick' all lower case. Head to WholeSupp.com and enjoy the results yourselves.Afte...
Mar 28, 2024•54 min
Damien Wildes is a normal guy on the surface. Married, a Dad, from a loving family background, sporty. Nothing surprising, until he talks about the water, his obsession with putting himself in the most uncomfortable situations he's known to date. What you don't know from the surface view is that he has prone paddle boards across the Irish see for nearly 15 hours, where he navigated through jellyfish, battle demons in his mind, felt like his shoulders were about to fall off and fuelled by Percy P...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 6 min
What we know about Jason Hennessy is that he has been a passionate rugby enthusiast since a young age. When he missed his preferred third-level course by just 10 points, he considered pursuing a career as a chef, influenced by some of his family members. However, Jason realized that wasn't his true calling. After experiencing some challenging moments and receiving valuable advice from his mother, he managed to transform his love for rugby into one of the most prominent rugby websites globally, k...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Shane Lennon has experienced more in his 40 years than some people do in two or three lifetimes. Shane is now a superb Yoga Instructor who have found a way to take life and everything it throws at him, and enjoy it by helping people and following a passion and love that he has through Yoga.At 7 years old, Shane experienced the death of his brother and never knew how to manage that loss at such a young age. He then turned to drugs early teens which eventually took a hold of him and nearly took hi...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Fergus Farrell once again joins me to discuss his next challenge. To run 206km in four days on the 23rd Oct - 26th Oct 2023 with the goal to raise money for the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dublin where he fought his way back having severed his spinal chord. To donate and support Gussie's goal of raising €250,000 for the NRH go to this link https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ToughestTrek23This discussion is more than just a challenge, we speak about his battle with failure, how it hangs on...
Oct 10, 2023•44 min
Brent Pope, 6ft 3" mountain of a man who played rugby for New Zealand. For years he throw his body into some of the most physical rugby matches. He has the battle scars to prove it and throughout that time became one of the most respected rugby players and minds of a generation and to this day.To his teammates, friends and family he was jovial, upbeat, a character, a prankster and fun person to be around. But behind the public theatre as a young teenage, Brent was hurting, and anxious. Without a...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 2 min
All we need is love. A famous line from arguably the most famous band of all time 'The Beatles' Imagine going into every argument, battle, challenge or nervous environment with that as your mantra, your approach to challenge, push back or indeed finding a solution may be very different. Recently, I turned 40. A milestone in life for some, but for me it was a catalyst for me to reflect and reset. You see, I was finding life a bit tricky and felt that the world was throwing a lot of challenges my ...
Aug 01, 2023•1 hr 12 min
This episode is with USA Eagles rugby international Dylan Fawsit who speaks to me about his journey to becoming a professional rugby player. His route to making a career in the game he loves was not straight forward. The initial dream was to play for Ireland, to put on that green jersey, however, after finishing school he didn't get the breaks or opportunities he was hoping for. Leinster didn't see a future, so Dylan decided to forge his own future and leave the Emerald Isle for American. Like m...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Joy Neville is going to the 2023 Rugby World Cup as a Television Match Official. What people may not know is that Joy has 70 caps for Ireland, won a Grand Slam and is now an official referee and that is how Joy want's to be known. However, Joy has come to notoriety within the mens rugby circles as the first female to ref a senior mens professional rugby match and subsequently the first female to ref a mens international. What Joy would like society to focus on is the fact that she is there on me...
Jun 18, 2023•1 hr 15 min
Dr. Shane Cassidy is the founder of Nerolinks which is an organisation which uses music as a form of therapy for so many people. Shane has found a way to use music to help people manage their health challenges be it mental or physical.Shane grew up in a family that loves music, with his mum and siblings super musicians and singers, Shane's world was steeped in music from the beginning. Shane studied Music Therapy in the University of Limerick and now supports clients across Ireland through the N...
Jun 04, 2023•55 min
With social media we typically see a facade, a version of ourselves through the prism of a fancy filter so onlookers think we are pretty, smarter or indeed more in-tune with our mental health than one would think. It is an emotional void which we either find empty or full depending on our moods. We are the curators of our social news feed and this became more evident during COVID. While some people fixated on their 6" screens and the drama, others blossomed and soared through creativity, realisi...
May 18, 2023•56 min
Mel Deane is one of those humans you need in your life. He sat down with me to talk about his career as a Personal Trainer, how he found the way to take what he loved from playing rugby at a high level to applying it to his everyday. Mel takes us down memory lane when he lived in Longford and how the actions of his father, influenced his life forever. A bit of a brawler when needed, a kind sole at times and highly respected among his peers, we get a taster of this energetic bundle of testosteron...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Alexiou Gibson is an entrepreneur in the USA who broke onto the scene after an incredible episode on Shark Tank which is the equivalent to Dragons Den in Ireland and the UK.His buisness is The Transformation Factory which sells a product called SeaMoss which provides our bodies with 90% of the nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.Alexiou is from the Bahamas and you’ll hear in our conversation how much his love for his family comes to the fore.Alexiou was in his early 20s an weighing in over...
Mar 05, 2023•59 min
If there’s one thing you do today - Be Kind to yourself.Fergus Farrell is one of the bravest men I’ve met. On the surface people will see that he attempted to row across the atlantic and on day 13 the ocean and the environment got the better of him. Nearly two weeks on the ocean rowing every 2 hours is a massive achievement in itself.But what people don’t always realise is that 4 years prior to this attempt, Gussy was laid up in the National Rehabiliation Hospital in Dun Laoighre Dublin, with on...
Feb 11, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Toby Flood is arguably one of the greatest out halves England and the world has ever seen. On this latest episode I speak to Toby about his career, what it was like competing against the world's greatest player ever Johnny Wilkconsin, injuries and setbacks along the way.Toby opens up about his current mindset as he transitions from the world of professional rugby to the corporate world and the challenges that move presents.Toby also opens up about his personal life and wonderful three children, ...
Jan 28, 2023•53 min
Damian Browne is a unique human being. He has chosen to spend his life taking on some of the worlds toughest challenges. This is Damians third time on the podcast and this episode is unique, the first was after he rowed for the first time across the Atlantic Ocean, and the second was the very first interview for Project Empower We met in Damian's native home town Galway on the west coast of Ireland in the Dew Drop Inn and thanks to Galway Bay Brewery for organising some space for us and we spoke...
Nov 18, 2022•2 hr 19 min
Hika Elliot is a family man, a former All Black and an inspiring human given the battles he's faced throughout life. From Hastings, New Zealand born into a large family in a disadvantaged area in New Zealand Hika grew up in a world where gangs, drugs and fighting every day was a way of life. It was all he knew for nearly 20 years.Hika shares his story with me, how rugby helped save his life, and how he found strength in asking for help at a time when he was dealing with the loss of a great frien...
Oct 17, 2022•54 min
Season 4 opener is with Ronan Conway who is a facilitator that helps people tap into their most authentic selves. Ronan has worked hand in hand with Soar a charitable foundation setup to help young people figure out ways to understand life, their emotions and their thoughts. After 8 year Ronan took his skills into the world of elite sports working with Irish Rugby, Dublin GAA and more. He is a fantastic human who knows life is precious and through his vulnerability and life lessons he's shaped h...
Oct 06, 2022•51 min
29 years old entrepreneur and founder of NewsFix Hillary McGann speaks to me about her career in journalism and how she's found a niche in the market to help inform people on the news around the world.Hillary is a remarkable person who faced numerous challenges in her young life with health issues popping up just as she was about to move to the next level in her career at CNN one of the worlds powerhouses in news.This podcast is a great reflection on a wonderful career, how NewsFix is helping so...
Feb 19, 2022•1 hr 1 min
