Real Talks: Recent Episodes
Alan O'Mara
Each Real Talks episode provides a prominent Irish figure with the opportunity to talk about life lessons, leadership, resilience, purpose, sport, passions and much more.
Season One features 10 leading GAA players speaking in a way they have never been heard before. Guests include Kevin McManamon, a four time All-Ireland winner with Dublin, and Brendan Maher, Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning captain in 2016. No more clickbait. No more soundbites. Choose real people. Choose real stories. Alan O’Mara is the founder of RealTalks.ie and author of the best-selling memoir ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’.
This is a clip from my recent conversation with Liverpool and Ireland footballer Leanne Kiernan.During our full conversation, Leanne reflects on the ups and downs of her journey so far and explains how tough times have helped her to build resilience and confidence. Leanne also shares her experience of grief and discusses the importance of friendship, family and reaching out for professional support.Check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer. There you will find previous conversations with Rory’s Stories and For Those I Love along with mental skills masterclasses on self-awareness, resilience, self-compassion and more.
We were joined by Leanne Kiernan for the latest episode of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. A brilliant footballer from Bailieborough in Cavan, Leanne has represented Ireland at the highest level. She is also the reigning player of the year for Liverpool Football Club. Leanne reflects on the ups and downs of her journey so far and explains how tough times have helped her to build resilience and confidence. Leanne also shares her experience of grief and discusses the importance of friendship, family and reaching out for professional support. Just to note, this conversation was recorded at the start of the season before Leanne picked up the injury that has kept her out of Ireland’s recent world cup qualification success. We wish her a speedy recovery and have no doubt she will be back on the pitch soon. Our host Alan O’Mara is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and wellbeing coach with sports and business leaders around the world. Check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer. There you will find previous conversations with Rory’s Stories and For Those I Love along with mental skills masterclasses on self-awareness, resilience, self-compassion and more. To all our listeners, please know that SOSAD Ireland is here to support you and your mental health. SOSAD Ireland provides support and services free of charge to people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, bereavement, depression, stress, anxiety or if you simply need to talk. Please go to www.SOSADIreland.ie to learn more about services like counseling, crisis support, a 24/7 helpline and text messaging support. If you are in a crisis situation and need urgent help, please call 1800-901-909 now. Audio was mixed and edited by Jack Deacon at Plural Video and Design, and the music is from an original track called ‘Everyone’s alright’ by harpist Mary Kate Boylan. Thanks for listening!
What is Growth Mindset and why is it important? How can you develop Growth Mindset in your day to day life? A mindset is a mental attitude that determines how we understand and respond to situations. In a growth mindset, people believe that what they are capable of can be developed by putting in time and effort. Growth mindset empowers us to move through setbacks, develop resilience and improve our capabilities, rather than dwell on mistakes or be consumed by negative self-talk and self-doubt. This mental skills masterclass with Performance and Well-being Coach Alan O'Mara is part of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. Visit our well-being hub at www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ to learn more about mental skills that positively impact well-being and listen to in-depth conversations with online sensation Rory’s Stories, Liverpool FC's Leanne Kiernan and award winning musician For Those I Love.
Authenticity is matching what is going on inside of us, in our thoughts and feelings, to what we express outwardly through our words, actions and choices. Being authentic supports holistic well-being and encourages happiness, fulfilment, and high self-esteem. Being authentic makes us more likely to pursue our passions and believe in ourselves.In this mini mental skills masterclass, performance and Well-being coach Alan O’Mara looks at how you can develop authenticity in day to day life.To learn more about the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series, please visit the well-being hub at www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/. There you will find more mental skills masterclasses that can positively impact well-being and in-depth conversations with online sensation Rory’s Stories, Liverpool FC's Leanne Kiernan and award winning musician For Those I Love.
This clip is a short extract from the recent episode with David Balfe (aka For Those I Love). During the conversation, the Irish album of the year winner gave some fascinating insight into his experience of panic attacks and talks about the practical strategies he learned in therapy that have helped him to cope, deal and control panic attacks. You can find the full conversation with David over at the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer. The Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland wellbeing series is hosted by Alan O’Mara. Alan is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and wellbeing coach with sports and business leaders around the world. Thanks for listening!
This episode is the second part of a conversation with David Balfe (aka For Those I Love). David discussed how he struggled with grief and depression. He talks about the importance of therapy and reaching out for professional support.Each episode of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series is hosted by Real Talks Founder Alan O’Mara, who is also a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and well-being coach with sports and business leaders around the world. They also talk about the power of love, friendship and creativity as David worked on his sense of self-worth during dark periods. He talks about creating the award winning album, the self-titled 'For Those I Love', and what it is like to perform emotional songs linked to complex parts of his past. To get all previous episodes, check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.SOSAD Ireland provides support and services free of charge to people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, bereavement, depression, stress, anxiety or if you simply need to talk. Please go to SOSADIreland.ie to learn about services like counseling, crisis support, a 24/7 helpline and text messaging support. If you are in a crisis situation and need urgent help, please call 1800-901-909 now. This podcast was hosted and produced by Alan O’Mara. Audio was mixed and edited by Jack Deacon at Plural Video and Design, and the music is an original track called ‘Everyone’s alright’ by harpist Mary Kate Boylan. Thanks for listening.
What is self-compassion and why is it important? How can you develop self-compassion? Self-compassion is a crucial mental skill at the centre of the well-being journey. Life challenges us all in different ways but self-compassion can help us to be kinder to ourselves when experiencing hardship. This video with Performance and Well-being Coach Alan O'Mara is part of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. Visit our well-being hub at www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ to learn more about mental skills and listen to in-depth conversations with online sensation Rory’s Stories, Liverpool FC's Leanne Kiernan and award winning musician For Those I Love.
Welcome to the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. This episode is with David Balfe (aka For Those I Love).
David is a renowned musician that has featured on some of the world’s biggest stages. His self-titled album, For Those I Love, won Irish album of the year.
In this episode, David talks about self-worth, depression and panic attacks. He talks about the power of counselling and the long and winding process of learning to cope, survive and live again after mental health challenges. He talks about the good and bad of growing up in Dublin and the power of music.
To get all previous episodes, check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara. Alan is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and well-being coach with sports and business leaders around the world.
As part of this series, Alan is also sharing short well-being masterclasses and giving practical tips on how mental skills can be implemented on a day to day basis.
SOSAD Ireland is here to support you and your mental health. SOSAD Ireland provides support and services free of charge to people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, bereavement, depression, stress, anxiety or if you simply need to talk. Please go to www.SOSADIreland.ie to learn more about services like counseling, crisis support, a 24/7 helpline and text messaging support. If you are in a crisis situation and need urgent help, please call 1800-901-909 now.
Thanks for listening!
Welcome to the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. This is a teaser clip from our upcoming conversation with David Balfe (aka For Those I Love), which will be released on October 6.
David talks about self-worth, depression and panic attacks. He talks about the power of counselling and the long and winding process of learning to cope, survive and live again after mental health challenges. He talks about the good and bad of growing up in Dublin and the power of music.
David is a renowned musician that has featured on some of the world’s biggest stages. His self-titled album, For Those I Love, won Irish album of the year.
To get all previous episodes, check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ or search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
SOSAD Ireland is here to support you and your mental health. SOSAD Ireland provides support and services free of charge to people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, bereavement, depression, stress, anxiety or if you simply need to talk. Please go to www.SOSADIreland.ie to learn more about services like counseling, crisis support, a 24/7 helpline and text messaging support.
What is resilience and why is it important? How can you develop resilience?
Resilience is a crucial mental skill at the centre of the well-being journey. Life challenges us all in different ways but resilience can help us to both survive and thrive.
This clip with Performance and Well-being Coach Alan O'Mara is part of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. Visit www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ to learn more about mental skills and listen to in-depth conversations with Rory’s Stories, Leanne Kiernan and For Those I Love.
What is self-awareness?
Why is self-awareness important?
How can you develop self-awareness?
This clip with Performance and Well-being Coach Alan O'Mara is part of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series. Visit www.sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ to learn more about mental skills and listen to in-depth conversations with Rory’s Stories, Leanne Kiernan and For Those I Love.
Welcome to the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series.
The first episode of our new series is with Rory O’Connor, more commonly known as Rory’s Stories. Rory explains how he worked through his mental health struggles to become an online sensation, a stand up comedian and a published author. We talked about failure, fear, self-awareness, authenticity and much more.
In the coming weeks, some of Ireland’s most inspiring people will support the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub, by talking to host Alan O'Mara about important life lessons and exploring various strands of well-being. This includes topics like depression, grief, resilience and confidence.
Alan O’Mara is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and well-being coach with sports and business leaders around the world.
Alan will also be sharing short well-being masterclasses that will explain how mental skills can help you live a happier, healthier life and give practical tips on how these mental skills can be implemented on a day to day basis.
Check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ and search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
Here is the first exclusive clip from the upcoming Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series.
The first episode of our new series is with Rory O’Connor, more commonly known as Rory’s Stories, and will be released in full on September 22. Rory explains how he worked through his mental health struggles to become an online sensation, a stand up comedian and a published author. We talk about failure, fear, self-awareness, authenticity and much more.
In the coming weeks, some of Ireland’s most inspiring people will support the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub, by talking to host Alan O'Mara about important life lessons and exploring various strands of well-being. This includes topics like depression, grief, resilience and confidence.
Alan O’Mara is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and well-being coach with sports and business leaders around the world.
Alan will also be sharing short well-being masterclasses that will explain how mental skills can help you live a happier, healthier life and give practical tips on how these mental skills can be implemented on a day to day basis.
Check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ and search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
Welcome to the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being series.
In the coming weeks, some of Ireland’s most inspiring people will support the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub, by talking to host Alan O'Mara about important life lessons and exploring various strands of well-being. This includes topics like depression, grief, resilience and confidence.
The first episode of our new series is with Rory O’Connor, more commonly known as Rory’s Stories. That episode will be released in full on September 22. We will also hear from Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool and Ireland) and David Balfe (aka For Those I Love).
Alan O’Mara is the founder of Real Talks, a former Cavan GAA player, an author and a performance and well-being coach with sports and business leaders around the world.
Alan will also be sharing short well-being masterclasses that will explain how mental skills can help you live a happier, healthier life and give practical tips on how these mental skills can be implemented on a day to day basis.
Check out the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland well-being hub at - sosadireland.ie/real-talks/ and search for ‘Real Talks’ on whatever podcast platform you prefer.
As part of the First Fortnight festival, I recently sat down with Dublin’s double All-Ireland winning players Nicole Owens, Noelle Healy and Sinéad Finnegan for a live panel discussion in The Sugar Club, Dublin.
We spoke about how sport can impact your mental health in both positive and negative ways, discussing vulnerabilities with teammates and in the media, living a balanced lifestyle and the rise in popularity of ladies football in recent years. It was an incredibly insightful and inspiring conversation that men, women, boys and girls will relate to.
Noelle Healy is the first voice that replies to my first question, Nicole Owens is the second and Sinéad Finnegan is the third.
Hope you enjoy,
Alan
Philly McMahon is a five time All-Ireland winner with Dublin and leading advocate for addiction recovery in Ireland. We sat down in front of a live audience in The Sugar Club, Leeson Street to discuss his best-selling book ‘The Choice’ as well as his hopes for 2018.
Clare’s Carol O’Leary has become one of the leading voices that is both demanding and creating meaningful change for female sport in Ireland.
Like many, Carol’s passion for GAA took hold at a young age but her development into the authentic and inspiring leader she is today wasn't without complications. On the podcast this week, she speaks about the search for self-confidence, the difficulty of trying to fit in and how turning to drink and failing college eventually forced her to look within for the answers that she craved.
This podcast was brought to you by the Women’s Gaelic Players Association in conjunction with Pat the Baker. Their partnership, through the Be Healthy Wholemeal Loaf, actively supports Ladies Football & Camogie players in every intercounty squad. The WGPA player development programme provides services such as scholarships, careers advice and counselling to help members be their best in their personal and professional lives.
If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget there are 17 previous podcasts with top class GAA heroes like Kevin McManamon, Oisin McConville, Eamon McGee, Briege Corkery and Noel Connors discussing so many different life lessons they have learned over the years. Find them on iTunes or SoundCloud by searching for 'Real Talks’.
Diarmuid Lyng wore the Wexford jersey for a number of years but after captaining his county in 2009 and 2010, his relationship with the game turned sour.
In search for answers about himself and his relationship with the game, Diarmuid went and travelled the world. On that journey, which included a stay in a Buddhist temple, he found some of the answers he was looking for but he was also left with even more questions.
Big thanks to Diarmuid for his honesty as well as his fascinating insight into sport, life, identity, meditation and a whole lot more. This is a conversation that everyone will be able to take something from.
Thanks for listening to all our podcasts so far. We live in a society where we are constantly told shorter is better and we get soundbites forced down our throats but it is truly humbling that over 50,000 times, someone has sat down to press play on one of these conversations.
On the podcast this week, Leitrim GAA legend Colin Regan talked about what it was like to represent the county with the smallest population in Ireland, how being a protestant that thrived in the GAA jersey helped shape his identity and how now, in his role as Community and Health Manager in the GAA, he is adamant that the Association is about much more than just the games.
If you are a first time listener, we hope you enjoy listening to a show that lets you see another side to GAA players by focusing on the person rather than the athlete. You can find us on iTunes or SoundCloud by searching ‘Real Talks’. There you can access previous episodes with Cora Staunton, Kevin McMamamon, Eamon McGee, Michael Fennelly and many more.
If you are returning listener, thanks for the ongoing support. By the time you are tuning into this, will should have passed the 50,000 play count, so please keep spreading the word about the podcast to your friends, family and teammates.
Last but not least, to help out Alan Kerins, who featured in Episode 13, our podcast host Alan O’Mara will be running through a bog on November 4th to help raise funds for a Children’s Home in Zambia that saves and changes the lives of many. It is a project that Alan Kerins and the team in Gorta-Self Help Africa have been supporting for over 10years. If any listener can spare a few euro, I’d really appreciate the support as any donation you make, no matter how big or small, will help to change a life. You can donate here - https://www.altruism.ie/fundraising_page/alan-o-mara-fundraising-page-for-gorta-self-help-africa
With 17 Senior All-Irelands, 11 in football and 6 in camogie, Briege Corkery is one of the greatest GAA players of all time.
However, after giving so much to the Cork cause over the years, Briege decided to focus on other areas of life in 2017. She spoke about that decision on the podcast, whether she intends to return to the Cork fold next season, why the fear of losing drives her on more than the joy of winning and the danger of presuming that sports stars are automatically confident and out going people.
We hope you enjoy getting such a detailed insight into the mind of one of Ireland’s most prominent sporting role models.
This podcast was brought to you by the Women’s Gaelic Players Association in conjunction with Pat the Baker. Their partnership, through the Be Healthy Wholemeal Loaf, actively supports Ladies Football & Camogie players in every intercounty squad. The WGPA player development programme provides services such as scholarships, careers advice and counselling to help members be their best in their personal and professional lives.”
If you enjoy this episode, there are 14 previous podcasts with top class GAA heroes like Kevin McManamon, Brendan Maher, Eamon McGee, Cora Staunton and Michael Fennelly discussing so many different life lessons they have learned over the years. Just search for ‘Real Talks’ on iTunes or SoundCloud.
As well as recounting some good and bad times in his Kildare jersey, Dermot Earley was also open and honest about being diagnosed with testicular cancer in his early twenties, what it was like to grow up in the army, serve in unstable countries like Bosnia and Lebanon and the impact of the untimely passing of his father, Dermot Snr, seven years ago.
He even retold the story of a time when he was invited to Manchester United and ended up in the physio room beside Diego Forlan and Carlos Queiroz.
Dermot is the current CEO of the Gaelic Players Association and spoke about why he is so passionate about bettering the lives of the inter-county player on and off the field.
Back in 2001, Alan Kerins had the rare experience of playing in both the All-Ireland football and hurling finals for Galway.
Throughout the noughties there was plenty of hype surrounding his dual player status but since then Alan has pursued another passion and raised millions of euro that has saved and changed thousands of lives in Africa.
During the podcast we spoke about how playing sport at such a high level helped him to develop the skills and self-confidence to take on such massive projects and how staring death in the face while in Africa changed his perspective on both sport and life.
A quick reminder for you to please share the podcast in your whatsapp groups or online via Twitter and Facebook as your support is invaluable to us in spreading the word and helping to celebrate these GAA heroes.
Next up on the podcast is Michael Fennelly, an eight time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny.
Under the management of Brian Cody, the Cats have become one the most respected and consistent teams in the history of the GAA. During the course of this hour long conversation, it was fascinating to get an insight into the culture of the group, as well as the individual mentality Michael has needed to survive and thrive in a high performance culture.
The 2011 Hurler of the Year was incredibly honest about the impact his love of hurling has had on his body and mind, and the many challenges he has had to overcome.
Now in the latter end of his career at 32, he has changed jobs, studied leadership, started lecturing and began a journey into the entrepreneurial world. There is zero doubt that Michael Fennelly is much more than just a hurler.
An All-Ireland winner with Armagh, Oisin McConville was also a key member of the Crossmaglen Rangers club that won more titles than any mantlepiece could handle.
To most supporters, Oisin was living the dream throughout his playing career but the stark reality was that away from the highs of places like Clones and Croke Park, he was dealing with a chronic gambling addiction in his day to day life.
It was a real pleasure to sit down to reflect on his journey, his transition out of playing a game he relied on so much and discuss the incredible life lessons he has learned along the way,
After the success of the first ten episodes of the Real Talks podcast with current GAA players, we will be bringing you another ten truly unique conversations over the coming weeks with living legends of Gaelic Games. Our next stop will be Kilkenny.
This episode of the Real Talks podcast with Jamie Wall was recorded in the heart of San Francisco.
A former underage player for Cork in both codes, Jamie was a prospect that had high hopes of representing his county for many years to come but back in 2014 his life changed after an abscess at the spine resulted in the loss of power in his legs.
During this conversation, Jamie talks openly and honestly about the day his legs first gave way and the ups and downs of the last three years as he has had to adapt to life in a chair and rise to numerous challenges.
He is now currently enjoying an extended break in a new city while also managing a GAA team on the west coast of America – an opportunity that arose after he coached Mary I to the Fitzgibbon Cup earlier in 2017.
Keep an ear out at the end of the show as well for an exciting update about the next season of the podcast which will kick off in the coming few weeks.
If new to the show, find us on iTunes and SoundCloud by searching ‘Real Talks’ to find previous episodes with Kevin McManamon, Brendan Maher, Jamie Clarke, Cora Staunton and more.
Episode 10 of the Real Talks podcast with the inspirational Jamie Wall is brought to you thanks to the support of Kelly Bradshaw Dalton. Check out their website at KBD.ie for all your property needs in the greater Dublin area.
Now in her 23rd season at the top level, it is a real honour and privilege to welcome Cora Staunton onto the Real Talks podcast.
Having made her debut for the Mayo senior team at 13 years of age, Cora has gone on to win four All-Ireland’s for her county, 10 All-Stars and become a household name due to her incredible longevity, mesmerising talent and amazing ability to consistently get huge scores in the green and red jersey.
Over the hour, Cora talked openly and honestly about how sport changed her life for the better, the impact of the death of her mother had on her life and why after all these years, she keeps coming back for more.
Michael Quinn did something so many young people dream of when he became a professional sportsman and signed for Aussie Rules outfit Essendon.
Plucked from Longford as an 18 year old, he holds the record for the fastest conversion from GAA to AFL starter, ahead of the likes of Tadhg Kennelly, Marty Clarke and most recently Kerry’s Mark O’Connor.
Now 27 years of age, he talks open and honestly about those achievements and what it was like to return to Ireland after experiencing extreme highs at such a young age.
This podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of Kelly Bradshaw Dalton, who for over 20 years have been selling, renting and managing property in the greater Dublin area. Be sure to check out their website at KBD.ie.
Noel Connors is a two-time All-Star with Waterford and one of the most respected hurlers in the modern game.
A deep thinker and a keen academic, Noel (27) is a player who has found some of the things that most GAA players crave – a balanced lifestyle, respect of his peers and a humble appreciation for the privileged position he is in as a respected athlete.
Having burst onto the senior inter-county stage while still a teenager, he talked openly and honestly about the pros and cons of having remained in the limelight ever since and what keeps him going back to the battlefield every year despite the fact that his county haven't won an All-Ireland since 1959.
This podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of Kelly Bradshaw Dalton, who for over 20 years have been selling, renting and managing property in the greater Dublin area. Be sure to check out their website at www.KBD.ie.
Eamon McGee was part of a Donegal defence that changed the landscape of gaelic football and brought Sam Maguire home to the hills of Donegal for the first time in 20 years.
However, during this week’s podcast, he talks about living the 'party' lifestyle in earlier years all the while dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, and a relationship with alcohol that resulted in him needing professional help.
Having hung up his boots in 2016, the Gweedore man is extremely proud of his career with Donegal, and while there may be some regrets, there is no doubt he is now better equipped to live and maintain a balanced lifestyle as live moves on and he manages the transition into retirement.
This podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of Kelly Bradshaw Dalton, who for over 20 years have been selling, renting and managing property in the greater Dublin area. Be sure to check out their website at KBD.ie.
In 2012, Offaly forward Niall McNamee publicly admitted he owed around €80,000 as a result of a gambling addiction, accepted that he needed professional help and so began, his journey towards recovery.
It is now 5 years since Niall has made a bet and his life has been transformed. We sat down to chat about many lessons he has learned along the way and what it is like to be able to look at himself in the mirror now and be proud of what he sees – because for many years he didn’t and gambling became his form of escapism from everyday life.
He burst onto the inter-county scene as a 17 year old back in 2003 when he made his championship debut, the week before his Leaving Cert began. Since then he has become Offaly’s talisman, missing just one championship game over 14 campaigns, but while Niall has been a beacon of consistency on the field, a large portion of his football career was spent battling a chronic gambling addiction.
This podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of Kelly Bradshaw Dalton, who for over 20 years have been successfully Selling, Renting and Managing Property in the Greater Dublin area. You can check out their website at KBD.ie for all your property needs.
Having spent the large majority of 2016 in New York City, Jamie Clarke is back in Ireland and once again strutting his stuff in a Armagh jersey.
Renowned for his individual style on the pitch, Jamie is one of the most talented forwards and interesting personalities the modern game has produced.
We chat about the positive impact that travelling has had on his life and outlook, the importance of being authentic and not submitting to stereotypes, and how now, at 27 years of age, he felt a magnetic pull that lured him home from America because ultimately he wants to help leave Armagh football in a better place.
Wicklow footballer John McGrath was diagnosed with leukaemia and entered four intense cycles of chemotherapy in 2011. Within 6 months he was back playing for his beloved club Baltinglass and a year later he was on the Croke Park turf winning a league title for his county. As we discussed the ups and downs of his recovery, it became abundantly clear that we were sitting in the room with one of the most resilient and inspiring men our national games have to offer as he prepares for his 11th season at inter-county level. John openly discusses his recovery, mindset through challenging times and how his love for football gave him a constant source of hope. In our first two episodes of the Real Talks Podcast, we checked in with members of the All-Ireland winning teams of 2016 in Brendan Maher of Tipperary and Dublin’s Kevin McManamon. Thanks to the 5,000 people who have so far tuned in to the show.
The second episode of the Real Talks podcast features Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning captain of 2016, Brendan Maher.
Over the course of the hour conversation with host Alan O'Mara, this Tipperary warrior shows he is an intriguing character, with a fascinating outlook on life, winning, leadership and communication.
What he said: “My hurling journey has helped me an awful lot off the pitch as well. I have learned how to live by so many values. Through sport I’ve learned so much.”
This is the second episode of a ten part series highlighting that GAA players are far more than just footballers and hurlers. Episode one featured Dublin’s Kevin McManamon.
Disclaimer: All materials featuring in this podcast are copyright protected. Reuse or quotation in part or in full is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Real Talks podcast is clearly and accurately provided.
The first ever episode of the Real Talks podcast features Dublin’s four time All-Ireland winner, Kevin McManamon.
During an open and honest conversation, Kevin discusses becoming a key cog in a Dublin machine that has dominated Gaelic Football this decade as well as his love for a goal on the biggest occasions.
He chats about overcoming performance anxiety that held him back in earlier years, how his study of sports psychology has made him both a better player and person, and how he had to learn the hard way to build self-confidence.
His love for music is instrumental in ensuring he maintains a balanced lifestyle and on top of all that we discuss the importance of resilience, particularly when it comes to educating people on mental health, masculinity in the modern world and his love for Damien Dempsey.
What he said: "When I was pronouncing the other side of my life that I enjoyed, not only was I happier in general, but I was actually playing better!”
Disclaimer: All materials featuring in this podcast are copyright protected. Reuse or quotation in part or in full is prohibited unless direct credit and/or hyperlink to the Real Talks podcast is clearly and accurately provided.
A weekly podcast hosted by Alan O’Mara. Each Real Talks episode provides a prominent Irish figure with the opportunity to talk about life lessons, leadership, resilience, purpose, sport, passions and much more during a relaxed, meaningful and humorous conversation.
This will be the first time a strategic and coordinated planned sequence of conversations will take place with leading Irish sports stars for digital listeners.
Season One features 10 leading GAA players speaking in a way they have never been heard before. Guests include Kevin McManamon, a four time All-Ireland winner with Dublin, and Brendan Maher, Tipperary’s All-Ireland winning captain in 2016.
No more clickbait. No more soundbites. Choose real people. Choose real stories.
Alan O’Mara is the founder of RealTalks.ie and author of the best-selling memoir ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’.