All Things ABC

What does it actually feel like to walk into a place that remembers you?

In Part 2 of this conversation, Noel, Niamh, and Seán get into the detail behind ABC's seen, known, understood philosophy — and what it looks like on the gym floor every single day. From coaches who adjust sessions without members having to say a word, to the quiet power of the runner's nod, to the GAA changing room that never once checked in on Noel after a serious injury — this episode is about the gap between saying you care about people and actually showing it.

Seán finally reveals a grievance he's been sitting on for years and Noel shares the moment that made him feel truly welcome with the Roscommon footballers.

The episode closes with a direct challenge to every member and coach in ABC: does every person who walks through the door feel seen, feel safe, and leave feeling they were trained at the right level for them today? Not a tagline. A standard.

Everyone says they have community. But what does that actually mean — and is it even the right word?

In this episode of All Things ABC, Noel, Niamh, and Seán unpack one of the most overused words in the fitness industry and make the case for something more honest, more personal, and more powerful. Noel opens up about the period of reflection that led to ABC's core philosophy — seen, known, understood — and why he believes it gets closer to what people actually need than any amount of forced high-fives or group photos ever could.

The three hosts work through what this philosophy looks like in practice: the one-on-one inductions, the weekly coach meetings, the small adjustments made without members ever having to repeat themselves, and the stories — from a man who got sick on his first session back and kept showing up anyway, to a midwife whose subtle hip compensation went unnoticed for two years in a supposedly elite gym, until she walked through ABC's doors.

This is a conversation about fear, belonging, identity, and what it really means to make someone feel at home in a gym — whether they're coming back after a tough few months or walking through the door for the very first time.

In our final part of this mini-series, Niamh sits down with Noel, founder of ABC Gym, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about what it really means to build something that matters. Twelve years in, Noel reflects on the impact ABC has made beyond the gym floor, the real cost of chasing that impact, what it takes to build a career in fitness that actually lasts and why "More Life Now" has become more than a tagline. It's the belief he lives by every single day.

Topics discussed include the impact and cost of Battle Cancer, giving back to big events and how the average lifespan of someone working in the fitness industry is 12 to 18 months, something that ABC is striving to change so that coaches can build a career, not just a short-term job. 

In Part 3 of Niamh's sit-down interview with Noel, Noel talks bout how the fitness industry is failing you and how Noel became the member he used to be.

Some of the topics discussed include:

Why people want to get fit before joining

Reworking ABC to reduce first-step fear

Why the two-week trial replaced the longer commitment

Building trust through time, space, and conversation

Why community starts with feeling seen

Referral, belonging, and recognising yourself in others

Part 2 of 4: Noel talks about his sister, Marian, as well as her role at ABC, and what "More Life Now" actually means. 

Noel and Niamh explore the importance of longevity, resilience, and meaningful fitness that transcends aesthetics, emphasising how consistent training can adapt to life's unpredictable moments.

Key topics:

• Marian's inspiring story and her vibrant life journey
• The impact of sudden loss on perspective towards health and longevity
• The core philosophy of ABC: training for life, not just aesthetics
• How personalised legal and commercial foresight shaped the gym’s operations
• The importance of functional health and maintaining independence with age
• The statistical reality of health in Irish populations and the role of fitness
• The benefits of training for the present moment: endorphins, adrenaline, social connection
• Building resilience and capacity to cope with health crises through consistent exercise
• The evolution of ABC's approach toward longevity and life quality, beyond the immediate
• Practical insights into living in the moment: embracing highs and lows for overall well-being

00:00 - Introduction: Honouring Marian and the core mission of ABC
03:06 - Marian’s personality traits: competitive, lively, and influential
06:47 - Reflections on Marion’s involvement behind the scenes at ABC
08:28 - Marian’s competitive spirit exemplified through gym and how Marian’s legacy influences ABC's operational principles
18:07 - Shift in focus to training for longevity and life quality
19:37 - The importance of health and longevity research
23:21 - The "Add life to your days, and days to your life" philosophy
28:00 - The benefits of training for the present: adrenaline, endorphins, social interactions
30:26 - Embracing life's highs and lows through ongoing fitness engagement

In the first of a four part series, Noel sits down with Niamh and shares the personal story behind founding ABC Gym. He explains how his father’s decline after retiring from sport shaped his thinking about the loss of structure, accountability, and identity that sport provides. He connects that experience to his own background as a multi-sport athlete and to other people in his life, including Helen, who retired early from sport after a knee injury. 

The result was a clear mission: create a training environment that preserves the benefits of sport while fitting real-life responsibilities like work, kids, and family. Noel also describes how his own training mistakes led to injuries and burnout, which pushed him into studying strength and conditioning. That education helped him see gaps in the fitness industry, especially for people who want structured training but can’t commit to fixed times or rigid environments. ABC Gym was built to solve that problem through flexible booking, accountability, and a team-like atmosphere. The deeper motivation was emotional as well as practical: to build something that he felt would have helped his dad, and to create a space that supports both performance and life circumstances.

We're back with the first episode of the All Things ABC Podcast of 2026. After Noel talks to Niamh & Seán about all the updates in ABC since our last podcast, we bring you the recording of Seán Kinane's Non-Negotiables of Performance Optimisation talk in Clane last night.

We're looking forward to seeing all our ABC Gym members in the Glenroyal on Saturday, March 21st for a Members Social Night

27:40 Introduction to Health Matters and Performance Testing with Sean Kinnane
20:42 Understanding Performance Optimisation
33:46 The Science of Energy Systems
36:35 Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Training
39:51 The Importance of Carbohydrates in Training
42:41 Balancing Aerobic and Anaerobic Workloads
55:55 The Consequences of Overtraining
48:52 Strategies for Effective Training
51:56 The Role of Nutrition in Performance
54:58 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
62:41 Understanding Aerobic and Anaerobic Training
66:29 The Importance of Training Blocks
69:33 The Benefits of Aerobic Conditioning
71:49 VO2 Testing and Metabolic Insights
78:52 Health and Longevity Through Training
82:35 The Role of Nutrition in Performance

The last 15 or so minutes of this talk was a Q&A with the audience. The audience was not mic'd up, so it will be hard to hear some of the questions, but we believe the answers from Seán will still provide valuable insight into training

In this episode of the All Things ABC podcast, hosts Noel, Niamh & Seán are joined by Nutritionist Matty Nagle to discuss various aspects of nutrition, including how dietary needs change with age, the myths surrounding detox diets, and the importance of protein intake. 

They emphasise the significance of hydration, meal planning, and understanding food labels to make informed nutritional choices. The conversation also touches on balancing performance and fat loss goals, particularly for those preparing for events like Tryka & Battle Cancer. 

Overall, the episode provides practical advice for listeners looking to improve their nutrition and health in the new year, emphasising the importance of strategic planning for fitness goals, gradual habit building, and meaningful goals. 

They explore the transition from fat loss to performance, the role of portion control, and the impact of nutrition timing on overall health. 

The discussion also touches on the influence of social media on dietary choices, the challenges of menopause, and the critical role of hydration in maintaining energy levels.

00:00 Welcome Matty Nagle
02:58 Detox Myths and January Resets
05:46 Setting Realistic Nutrition Goals
08:52 Importance of Water and Protein Intake
11:53 Understanding Protein Needs
14:50 Reading Food Labels for Protein
17:53 Debunking Food Myths: The Sandwich Debate
18:48 Navigating Ready Meals: Convenience vs. Quality
19:45 Understanding Processed Foods: Fear-Mongering in Nutrition
21:39 Balancing Performance and Nutrition: Goals for January
23:44 Strategic Nutrition Planning: Preparing for Events
25:39 Mindset and Goal Setting: The Key to Success
27:31 Sustainable Change: Building Habits Over Time
29:28 From Fat Loss to Performance: Shifting Nutrition Strategies
35:02 Understanding Portion Control and Caloric Fears
38:01 The Importance of Nutrition Timing
39:54 The Role of Sleep and Recovery
42:07 Navigating Menopause and Nutrition
47:22 Social Media's Impact on Nutrition
48:44 Key Habits for Better Nutrition

In this episode of the All Things ABC podcast, Dr. John Rusin discusses the importance of pain management in fitness, defining performance as health, and the significance of movement systems. He emphasises the need for effective training systems, the qualities of a great coach, and the shift towards longevity in fitness. 

The conversation also touches on the rise of hybrid athletes and the balance needed in training for competitions like Hyrox. John shares insights on breathing and bracing techniques and how to engage clients in a long-term fitness journey.

Be sure to check out more details on his certification:

painfreetraining.com

And whether you are a gym goer or a coach in the field, his new book, Pain-Free Performance: Move Better, Train Smarter, and Build an Unbreakable Body is a must have! Available now on Amazon.

00:00 Introduction to Pain Free Performance
03:35 The Pain Epidemic in Fitness
05:50 Redefining Performance as Health
08:31 The Importance of Movement Systems
10:45 Establishing Effective Training Systems
14:50 Qualities of a Successful Coach
18:00 Bridging the Gap Between General Fitness and Elite Performance
19:51 Introduction and Context of Training in Ireland
21:09 The Rise of Hybrid Athlete Training
22:53 Balancing High Rocks Training with General Principles
24:51 The Importance of Breathing and Bracing in Lifting
27:07 Breathing Techniques for Different Populations
32:08 Mindset Shift Towards Longevity in Training
43:17 Certification and Resources for Coaches

On this episode of the All Things ABC Podcast, we learn about the new Live Better Perform Programme as well as  how to best critique our individual lifestyle performance goals and nutrition preferences before considering supplementation.

Jamie, our ABC Head of Nutrition, joins Niamh and Sean for this episode as he delves into the intricate world of supplements. He explains the critical distinction between functional foods and traditional supplements, emphasising the importance of food-first approaches while acknowledging the practical need for supplementation. Jamie discusses essential nutrient considerations, highlights the evidence-based efficacy of five key performance supplements, and outlines strategic fuelling protocols for optimal athletic performance. 

Get ready for a deep dive into prioritising nutrition, understanding supplementation, and crafting individualised performance strategies. 

The trio also discuss hydration, energy intake, and the timing of nutrient consumption tailored for athletes and enthusiasts preparing for events like Hyrox

00:56 Understanding Supplementation

01:55 Debate on Functional Foods

03:56 ABC Nutrition Pyramid

07:33 Health-Based Supplements

10:04 Performance-Based Supplements

17:56 Creatine: Benefits and Usage

26:21 Beta-Alanine and Sodium Bicarbonate

29:53 Sodium Bicarbonate and Gastric Issues

31:05 Nitrates and Their Benefits

32:02 Caffeine and Its Effects

33:20 Fuelling Strategies for Events

35:58 Carbohydrate Loading Techniques

46:53 Hydration Strategies

52:59 Live Better Perform Programme

The Live Better Programme returns for ABC Members on Monday, September 15th with spaces limited in each location