Bulletproof Dad

General Secretary of the PFAI (Professional Footballers Association of Ireland) Stephen McGuinness chats with me about the work he has done with the association over the last two decades.

Former prisoner, mentor for young offenders, and Ironman athlete Ger Redmond sits down with me and chats about his incredible life story. From escaping a turbulent childhood to chase his dream of becoming a professional footballer in the UK. 

Only to have it all taken away after a serious incident happened in the family home. Forcing him to return home at 16 years old and become a provider for his 4 younger siblings. And ultimately choosing a life of crime to earn a living and turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. 

After a two year stint in prison and then surviving an assassination attempt, Ger walked away from that life after almost 20 years. 

Now Ger dedicates his life to helping young offenders in Oberstown Children Detention Campus avoid going down the same path.

He explains how the power of sport plays a crucial role in people gaining the courage to seek help when struggling with past traumas. 

And how taking up triathlon training helped him personally overcome his past traumas. And leading to him becoming an official pro Ironman and personal running coach. 

It's an extraordinary life story with some valuable lessons and learnings for any listener.

Former Ireland international footballer Keith Treacy chats with me about the highs and lows of his career in professional football. From growing up as a highly talented footballer in Sherif Street, Dublin with the football world at his feet, receiving offers from the likes of Man Utd & Celtic. To hanging up his boots at only 26 years old, when he should have been entering his prime.  

Keith opens up on how leaving his family home at the vulnerable age of 15 to join Blackburn Rovers left him feeling homesick and depressed. Which ultimately led to him succumbing to the drinking culture which was still prominent in football back over a decade ago. 

And despite developing the crippling addictions of alcohol, gambling & sex, how we went on to play 7 seasons as a senior professional coming up against the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Pirlo to name but a few.

He gives us a fascinating insight into what life was like playing under managers such as Sam Allardyce, Graham Souness, Mark Hughes & Paul Ince, Eddie Howe & Sean Dyche. And the different approaches they used to try help him stop drinking. Going as far to say how one of them in particular probably saved his life.

Keith also chats about the pride he has playing for Ireland, winning a Nations Cup and playing against the likes of Argentina and Italy. 

While Keith’s career was cut short, his story is ultimately one of redemption as he explains how, with the help of therapy, he has overcome these crippling addictions. And is now forging a career as one of Ireland’s best up and coming football pundits. Offering insightful analysis of the big Premier League and European games on the likes Virgin Media and Off The Ball. 

If you are a football fan, this is an episode that will have you captivated from start to finish. 

Back on the podcast by popular demand, Bart Mc Enroe sits down with me to discuss how he helps GAA managers achieve “Team Intelligence” with their players .

We delve into the common mistakes managers make when trying to motivate their players. Bart shares the simple but effective steps that can be taken at any level of Sport, under 10’s to Seniors - to avoid emotionally hijacked and underperformance during a game. 

Citing real examples of his experience in the elite GAA world, of working personally with managers such as Pat Gilroy (Dublin), Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Jack O’Connor (Kerry), James Sullivan (Kerry), leading to multiple All Ireland wins.

This approach is proving itself to be equally applicable in Football, Rugby and Hurling. As well as in the business world, working with some of the top CEO’s in the country.  

Performance Nutritionist Daniel Davey chats with me about his career to date as one of the leading nutritionists in the country.

Giving great insights into the roles he held at both Leinster Rugby and Dublin GAA, helping both teams achieve massive success in the decade he was there.

He speaks candidly about the initial work he had to do in order to land these "dream jobs" and the challenges that come with working with elite athletes.

He speaks openly about his decision to leave both roles in order to per-sue his entrepreneurial dream of running his own nutrition business. And the challenges that have surfaced since going out on his own. All the while trying to be a present dad at home with two young children.

If you have an interest in nutrition, GAA, rugby and/or entrepreneurship this an episode you don't want to miss.

GAA legend, entrepreneur & TV personality Davy Fitz talks about his incredibly successful career as both a player and manager at the highest level. 

We delve deep into the principles and philosophies he employs to create a hardworking team culture. Whilst offering each individual the unique support they may require in order to achieve their full potential. 

Davy gives us a fascinating insight into how he strikes that delicate balance between managing the team needs vs the individuals needs, in order to achieve success. A challenge every team leader / manager can relate with. 

Plus he talks candidly about the harsh lessons he has learned along the rollercoaster journey that is 15 years in GAA inter county management to date.

This is a must listen for any leader in sport or the business world.

Ask Paul founder and financial advisor Paul Merriman chats with me about how to get your money working for you. He explains how to set up a personalised financial plan that will protect, grow and ultimately replace your income when you reach retirement. And utilising investments and your pension fund to beat inflation and stop your money “rotting” in your bank account.

He also gives a fascinating insight into how he set up the Ask Paul brand and how he harnessed social media to grow his following, ultimately leading to a successful buyout of his company. And the criticism and ridiculing he received when he first started putting out his content online.

Founder of Irish Football Fan TV Paul Nealon chats with me about how he set up his social media channel in 2017. Starting off as just a football fan with no contacts or media experience. And the journey that has lead him to a following of over 120,000 people and developing relationships with some of the biggest names in Irish football. While overcoming heaps of criticism and working with a shoe string budget along the journey. To now working in conjunction with a large media company. A super insight into how to follow your passion and turn it into a viable business, learning some harsh lessons along the way.

Pete The Builder chats about how he has developed his brand from working on tv shows like Room To Improve & Home Rescue. And the lessons learned from starting a construction business just before the economic recession hit in 2008. He also gives us an insight into how he uses sport to keep his mind and body in check while dealing with the day to day stressors of running a construction business. With his sporting honours including: winning All Ireland medals with the Dublin GAA masters team, being Irish Karate champion for 5 years straight, being a community games swimming champion and playing football at a professional level in the League of Ireland. A fascinating insight into what “your man off the telly” is all about.

Child Psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor joins me on this episode for a conversation on children’s mental health and the impact we can have as parents. We discuss “parent comparison syndrome” and how it can unintentionally lead to us placing adult standards on our children. We also discuss how we have grown to “demonise being average” and how this leads to placing enormous pressures on both ourselves and our children. The episode is packed with really valuable guidance for parents trying to raise their children in todays fast paced, high achiever society.