Real Talks

A message from Real Talks Founder Alan O'Mara! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Alan

For this special Christmas episode of the Real Talks with SOSAD Ireland wellbeing series, we were joined by Stephen Lynch. Earlier in 2023, Stephen raised an incredible €70,000 for SOSAD Ireland and Mental Health Ireland by running the length of the island. It was a gruelling challenge of 563km, full of highs and lows, that tested him physically, mentally and emotionally. If you enjoy this episode, please donate if you can to SOSAD Ireland and Mental Health Ireland. They are two great organisations that work hard to support and empower the mental health of people and communities all over Ireland. You can help support their work by going to; https://sosadireland.ie/donate/ https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/donate/ We also wanted to remind you that SOSAD Ireland is here to support you and your mental health. If you are struggling in the coming weeks, please go to www.sosadireland.ie to learn more or call the 24/7 support line on 1800-901-909. SOSAD Ireland have trained volunteers on call for emergencies

**This interview by Alan O'Mara was first published as part of The Players Voice series.** Kerry GAA goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole joined host Alan O’Mara to open up in great detail about his gambling addiction and his recovery. Martin talks about his struggle to reach out for help, what he learned from spending time in a treatment centre and how much he is enjoying living life on his own terms again. The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is part of BEO 360, a GPA programme that empowers inter-county players across 4 key areas - life skills, wellbeing, dual career and transitions. Please go to beo360.gaelicplayers.com to learn more. Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

**This interview by Alan O'Mara was first published as part of The Players Voice series.** During this powerful and insightful conversation, Kildare footballer Mary Hulgraine reflects on her well-being journey and recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. She talks about the importance of accepting help and shares some of the highs and lows of life in recovery. Mary also chats about learning to love herself, prioritising self-care and the things that help her stay well. The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is part of BEO 360, a GPA programme that empowers inter-county players across 4 key areas - life skills, wellbeing, dual career and transitions. Please go to beo360.gaelicplayers.com for more information. Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go

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

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 servi

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 shari

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, b

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 t

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 ski

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

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.