Today's guest is Commandant Brian Cahil who is currently serving in the Irish Army and stationed in Syria as part of a UN mission. Brian is a father of two young girls and married to my cousin Sarah who is a previous guest on the show. Brian speaks to me about his experience in the Irish army with over 20 years experience working through the ranks. Brian's biggest challenge as a young 22 year was commanding troops on his first ever mission, where people of all ages, older and younger were lookin...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Today is a very exciting episode, where I sit down and chat to a super friend and confidant of mine Gareth Logan who is an entrepreneur owner of Taxifair.ie.What's so interesting about this episode is how Gareth aka Logi opens up about his challenges with dyslexia growing up, how he found at 13 he was going to experience the toughest time in his life following the loss of his Dad. In a moment, he had to grow up.Life for everyone is challenging and while there are hard times in our lives, remembe...
Jan 31, 2022•58 min
Todays guest is the first person in Ireland to own the look and feel of iconic comic hero Superman. Cian Tormey speaks to me about his journey from Art Director in a creative agency to comic artist and living in a world where he loves his job. Cian shares learnings along the way, the challenges he faced when a close friend of his died while Cian was finding his way through college and life. He speaks about the lack of support he received from those who's role is to look after and support young a...
Jan 25, 2022•1 hr
Hannah Saunders is a remarkable person, entrepreneur, influencer, business woman, daughter, wife and someone I am happy to call friend.On this episode Hannah speaks about her path into the PR industry and her determination to pave her own path in a world she fell in love with as young girl.Influenced by her father's work ethic, Hannah made a decision to enter into the PR world, starting as an office manager and working her way up, patiently and steadily. Hannah gained international experience du...
Jan 16, 2022•56 min
Caelan Doris is the present and future of Irish Rugby. At 23 years old he is wise beyond his years, yet commands a warmth and understanding that is unexpected for such a young man in the prime of his life.Caelan spoke to me about his how he found his way into rugby and what life was like growing up. He shares some keen insights of life in the west of Ireland as son of parents who are qualified therapists. After bursting onto the scenes for Leinster at an early age, Caelan was propelled into the ...
Nov 09, 2021•42 min
It's rare someone gets to meet such a dedicated and focused person like Aoife Doyle.For me, my first memory of Aoife was in the Rosary Church in Limerick. Our families used to go to mass every Sunday and Aoife's father John managed the church choir. At the time Aoife was a little rascal running around the church in and out of the benches, up and down to John while he tried his best to conduct a group of people who ranged from tone deaf to pitch perfect. It was an all inclusive choir and the most...
Oct 30, 2021•48 min
July 2020, mid pandemic, the world was in turmoil and Nick Heather was about to receive news that would test his spirit, his character and his fight for life.Picture this, you're early 30s, prime of your life, no prior health issues and told by a doctor, you have a form of blood cancer, CML, chronic myeloid leukaemia. Managing that news was one thing but then shortly afterwards having run a few tests, the result comes back saying you also have ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and if you didn't...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 21 min
This discussion is with Phillip 'Flipper' Caldwell. In 2020 Philly was living life to its fullest. A speedy scrum-half/winger in his rugby playing days at 38, Philly like most ex-rugby players found tag rugby as a nice distraction. However, Philly's world changed in nanoseconds. From a man with speed like Flipper the dolphin, he suffered a freak accident. Philly describes the moment he started losing feeling in his body and brings us through the aftermath. That day, not only his body changed but...
Apr 21, 2021•1 hr 9 min
My guest on this episode is Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland ambassador, Emma Hempton. Emma is a vibrant young woman who adores music and has a lust for life and lives it to the best of her ability. On this platform, she shares what it is like living with CF, the challenges she faced throughout her life, with memories of her childhood, adolescent years, and also the times she and her family were close to saying their goodbyes. Yet as you listen to Emma, her story is one of strength, of det...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.Ellie speaks to me about what motivates her, how kindness is so important in life, and to recognise every interaction can lead to something wonderful.There is so much we can learn from others, from their experiences and their outlook on life. Ellie is one person in a world who is living life the best way she knows how. It is clear that she’s faced adversity yet her optimism and ...
Apr 02, 2021•26 min
Born and raised in Washington DC, Ellie Walton is passionate about honouring and sharing stories of everyday revolutionaries.She picked up a video camera for the first time at eleven years old and never looked back. Ellie has a lifelong commitment to amplifying voices fighting for justice.In this episode Ellie shares some key moments in her life that set her on a path of curiosity, exploration, and adventure. I was introduced to Ellie by a former guest of mine Tina Kothari who is the founder of ...
Apr 02, 2021•34 min
In part two of my conversation with Sarah Cahil, we talk about what we can learn from kids, the perspective she got when they wound up Eat Like Apes, and also the inspiration behind Sarah’s book Elsie’s Arabian Adventures.Sarah speaks about the benefits of exploring with kids and giving them time to be curious about the world. Teaching them breath work and meeting kids where they are at. The opportunities to learn with them are endless.For more head to @playlikeapes on Instagram or following @wh...
Feb 28, 2021•33 min
My guest on this episode is Sarah Cahill. Sarah is a mum of two amazing girls Lucy and Ellen and married to Brian a fantastic person who works in the Irish Army.Sarah epitomises the phrase entrepreneurial spirit. Having qualified as a special needs assistant, Sarah took time out to focus on her family and raise the two girls. IN doing so, Sarah found a love for play, for fun and this was made evident through the actions and mindset of her two girls.It was from their Sarah created a primal food c...
Feb 28, 2021•24 min
In part 2 Vanessa and I speak about her business vanessaree.com and why she created it.As Vanessa was struggling with what to do in her career, a friend of hers knew she dabbled in making jewelry and encouraged her to try and set up her own business.While Vanessa upskilled she faced a number of challenges along the way. Leaving her career and finding a new identity was particularly scary, however, she wasn’t afraid to ask for help, so she reached out to learn from others and hear their advice.Va...
Feb 19, 2021•37 min
Eleanor Roosevelt said - You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." In this episode, I speak to the entrepreneur and creator of VanessaRee jewelry, Vanessa Murtagh.Vanessa opens up about facing her fears and following her passion. What makes this story even more inspi...
Feb 19, 2021•25 min
Here Riona describes her struggle with mortality and her fight to stay alive and much more. One thing shines through, Riona’s message is clear, ‘Lead with Love’ and the world will start responding in a more positive way to you.What I learned from our chat was no matter how hard life gets, or how deep into the rabbit hole of sadness you go, there is always someone who wants you to fight, there is always more to share with people in this world and there is always hope for a better tomorrow.So let’...
Feb 05, 2021•40 min
My guest today is Riona Kelly.At the start of 2015, Riona was married to her then-husband of 14 years and had 4 wonderful children. However, in March Riona’s world would change in the blink of an eye.Riona suffered a spinal stroke and at that moment became paralysed. Riona’s pain didn’t end there. Shortly after her stroke, Riona’s then-husband left her to fend for herself and her 4 young children.However, this story is not about doom and gloom. In part 1 Riona shares some of her experiences with...
Feb 05, 2021•35 min
In part two we talk about what real messages Tina would share with the world and she advises us on how to take on the challenges of 2021.TIna really hit home to me to embrace that level of madness we all have in our lives, and always continue to learn, no matter what. If you take on each day with the mindset of ‘what am I going to learn today’ it opens up so many possibilities that we may have closed off from before.Tina is doing amazing things with Anotherwaynow. Please add them on Instagram an...
Jan 14, 2021•32 min
My guest today is a remarkable lady. Tina Kothari.Born in India, Tina grew up in the UK, and, on completing a degree in Philosophy, entered the world of commerce and banking to become a company director by the age of 26.Following a period as a full-time mother, I then qualified as a counselor and as a trainer in Humanistic Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Psychotherapy.Over time Tina developed expertise in working with addictions, eating disorders, and trauma. Tina describes her time working in ...
Jan 14, 2021•28 min
In this part we delve into his battle with getting back to playing rugby. What his catalyst was to motivate him to make the most of what he has and the people he has around him.We talk about mental struggles, having a strong family unit and ultimately what drives him to be the best he can be.We speak about him pioneering the way for goggles to be worn while playing rugby, how he needed people in his life to help him through very difficult times. If you would like to follow Ian and his story, che...
Dec 20, 2020•39 min
My guest today is an international rugby player, Ian McKinley. Ian’s journey is not straight forward. Like most of my guests, Ian has had to face a number of challenges throughout his life.He speaks openly and honestly to me about a life changing injury that shattered a boyhood dream to play for Ireland one day. He shares some of his darkest moments and how he managed to fight through them to turn his life around.Through resilience and an unwavering determination, Ian found his way back onto the...
Dec 20, 2020•30 min
In the second part of this episode, Will and I discuss how he manages his anxiety through his music and writing and he delves into what makes him tick, the reasons behind his love for music. Will also reminisces on a time when he was heartbroken and how music helped to soothe his soul in time of need. Will's journey is only beginning but his passion for music is unquestionable and his approach to life, is balanced and realistic. He epitomises what it means to be a gentleman and it was my absolut...
Dec 02, 2020•23 min
My guest today is a singer-songwriter, Will Purdue. Will is a gentleman and a deep thinker.The music you’ve just heard is a recent single he wrote for Riona Kelly who suffered a horrendous accident and as a result, was paralysed.This single was released to help fund Riona’s rehabilitation as she and her partner Keith Mason aim to complete 100miles. Keith will pull Riona 99miles and Riona will then fight to walk the final mile. You can find out more about their journey at the Keith and Riona Foun...
Nov 20, 2020•27 min
In part 2 of my conversation with the crew from Project Empower, Damian and Gussie talk about the greatest challenge on earth for two people, rowing across the Atlantic from New York to Galway Bay. One of the biggest challenges for them is making sure they have the courage to say exactly what they are thinking and not bottle it up. It takes courage to be honest and that is exactly what they will count on when they take on this world record.The guys are trying to raise money to help build the boa...
Oct 25, 2020•36 min
Project Empower sees two Irish men attempt to break a 124-year-old world record, of rowing from New York to Galway. Damian Browne and Fergus Gussy Farrell will set off on the challenge of a lifetime.These men have faced many challenges already. Damian is an adventurer and explorer who began a lifetime of exploration which has seen him summit 5 of 7 peaks, complete the Race De Sables and he was a guest of mine in Season 1 where we spoke about his solo Atlantic row and how challenging environments...
Oct 19, 2020•28 min
Jade Jordan is an Irish actress, born and bred in Dublin. Jade’s approach to life is one with empathy, honesty, and have fun along the way.Jade and I sat down to speak about her career, how she became an actress, but also, more importantly, what it was like for her growing up in Ireland when racism was alive and well and is to this day.Jade comes from a mixed-race Irish and she speaks to me about the racism her grandmother and mother faced after her grandmother returned from England having marri...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 2 min
This is episode 15 and my guests today are Greg and Sarah McWilliamsWe had was a lot of fun to record. Initially, over a video call, I sat down with Greg to speak to him about his career as a rugby coach, the challenges of moving abroad to a different country and the journey he and his wife Sarah embarked upon to bring their son Archie and daughter Lana Rose into this world.What sets this episode apart for me, is when Sarah joined in the discussion she lit up the room, and it was wonderful to se...
Jul 08, 2020•57 min
June is the month to build awareness about a debilitating disorder known as Scoliosis that causes an abnormal curve of the spine, or backbone. It leads me to my next guest, Elaine Sullivan who is an entrepreneur, running a successful salon business in Dublin called Aviary Lane. Elaine shares stories with me about her passion for hairdressing and why her approach goes far beyond styling someone's hair. What sets Elaine apart from the rest is that she cares about her clients, she cares about provi...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 4 min
This episode I speak to rugby international, board director, leader of people, all-round great human Sene Naoupu. We spoke about Sene's journey from New Zealand to Ireland, her roots in Samoan culture, and how her mum helped her understand the power of community in a person's life.Sene opens up to me about a challenging time in her life when she realised she had an eating disorder. We talk about how she has become self-aware to understand what she needs to do to ensure she stays on top of it. Fr...
Jun 16, 2020•58 min
Shane O’Donoghue is my next guest. Shane is an Olympian who has represented Ireland in field hockey at the Rio 2016 Olympic games. He has played nearly 200 games for Ireland and is Ireland’s top goalscorer with over 100 goals.In this episode we talk about the agony of failing to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo and dealing with the fact that COVID means this heartache will linger until the games are completed.Shane has lived in Belgium for years playing hockey professionally and it is here...
May 26, 2020•1 hr
