Alex Hutchinson is a science writer, former physicist, and author of Endure, known for exploring the limits of human performance and the psychology behind endurance, curiosity, and growth. In this conversation, he breaks down why exploration is fundamental to both human evolution and modern life, arguing that our desire to seek the unknown is balanced by an equally strong need for stability and routine. Alex explains how this tension shapes our decisions, from the meals we choose to the careers we pursue, and why leaning into uncertainty, even in small ways, can lead to deeper learning and long term fulfillment.

Expect to learn how the explore versus exploit dilemma influences everyday choices, why short term discomfort often leads to better long term outcomes, and how being optimistic in the face of uncertainty can reduce regret over time. We dive into the science of how the brain predicts the world, why too much comfort and optimization can limit growth, and how modern technology risks turning us into passive consumers rather than active participants in our own lives. Alex also shares practical ways to reintroduce exploration into your routine, the importance of effort and challenge in creating meaning, and why a life that’s slightly uncomfortable is often a sign you’re moving in the right direction.

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Find Alex below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhutchinsonyyz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweat_science?

Mark is a performance psychologist who works across sport and high-pressure environments, helping individuals and teams understand the deeper drivers behind performance, behaviour, and mindset. In this conversation, he explores the balance between data-driven performance and human impact, and why psychology often struggles to be measured despite being central to everything we do. Mark shares insights into how mindset is shaped in everyday environments, why performance is never just physical, and how awareness, communication, and intention influence outcomes more than we often realise.

Expect to learn why psychology shouldn’t be seen as a separate discipline but something embedded in every action, how training the mind happens both consciously and unconsciously, and why purposeful attention is the key to real growth. We discuss the gap between sport and business when it comes to performance, the dangers of hustle culture, and why rest and recovery are essential for sustainable success. Mark also dives into attention spans in the age of social media, the importance of choice in what we consume, and how small shifts in awareness can have a powerful impact on both performance and wellbeing.

Todd Crandell is an endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and the founder of Racing for Recovery, a program dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives through discipline, accountability, and purpose. In this conversation, he shares how endurance sports, personal responsibility, and daily habits can transform the way you think about struggle, growth, and long-term success. Todd explains why learning to take ownership of your life is the first step toward real change and how pushing your physical limits can reshape your mental resilience.

Expect to learn why purpose is often discovered through adversity, how discipline compounds into confidence over time, and why the hardest challenges are often the ones that teach you the most about yourself. We explore the mindset required to keep going when progress feels slow, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who hold you accountable, and how building small daily habits can lead to extraordinary outcomes over time. Todd also shares lessons from endurance racing, personal development, and helping others transform their lives, and why choosing growth over comfort is ultimately what leads to lasting fulfillment.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Find Todd below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-crandell-6b89132/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/soberultraman/

Racing For Recovery: https://racingforrecovery.org⁠

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Creating the Life You Desire

(02:59) The Power of Stopping Negativity

(05:56) Understanding Addiction and Its Consequences

(09:06) The Role of Environment in Addiction

(12:00) The Journey to Sobriety

(15:06) Finding Purpose After Addiction

(17:47) The Importance of Choice

(20:46) The Long Road to Recovery

(23:53) Emotional Development and Addiction

(26:59) Building a New Life

(30:04) Inspiration and Success

(33:05) The Journey of Progress

(38:11) Innovative Podcasting Approach

(41:13) Embracing Uniqueness and Authenticity

(44:24) The Impact of Peer Influence

(48:41) The Role of Mentorship in Personal Growth

(51:28) Defining Success and Self-Worth

(56:47) The Journey of Self-Discovery

(01:01:56) Plant-Based Nutrition and Its Benefits

(01:14:47) The Power of Plant-Based Recovery

(01:16:16) The Processed Food Dilemma

(01:19:09) Nutrition Education and Medical Misconceptions

(01:28:20) Racing for Recovery: A Holistic Approach

(01:41:10) Connecting and Giving Back

Here's the seven thoughts and learnings I had this week.

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1. The negative outlook.

2. Why are we scared of dying?

3. Our experience of life is a story we tell ourselves - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_NO1bK_boM

4. If we are so focused on improving our life, we will miss our life - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_NO1bK_boM

5. How much social media can our brain withstand?

6. Stop worrying about external.

7. Return the favour.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kris Copeland is a Special Operations Cognitive Performance Specialist, family man, and adrenaline junky who helps elite military personnel perform under pressure. In this conversation, he reflects on his unconventional journey through school, the differences between the American and Irish education systems, and how experiences outside the classroom shaped his approach to learning, discipline, and resilience. We dive into what “focus” really means, how to manage stress and control what you can in life, and why failure and adversity are often the best teachers. Along the way, Kris shares stories from road trips across the United States, near-death experiences, and lessons learned from raising confident, capable kids.

Expect to learn how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports build confidence and mental toughness, why cultivating resilience is critical in both personal and professional life, and how to balance adrenaline-seeking pursuits with family and career. Kris also shares insights on decision-making under pressure, the power of patience during hardship, and how turning challenges into growth opportunities can improve relationships, performance, and overall wellbeing.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Find Kris below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriscopelandperformancepsych/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Work-Life Balance and Family Dynamics

(01:55) Travel Experiences and Geographic Perspectives

(04:41) Dreams of a Simple Life

(07:33) Financial Literacy and Life Lessons

(25:34) Rethinking Financial Education

(28:34) The Gaps in Traditional Learning

(30:23) Focus in the Digital Age

(36:03) Shifting Attention: The Key to Focus

(41:52) Education Systems: A Comparative Analysis

(50:03) The Freedom of Choice in Education

(01:02:06) The Journey of Growth and Resilience

(01:06:37) Learning Beyond Traditional Education

(01:08:21) Taking Control of Your Life

(01:09:41) Focusing on What You Can Control

(01:14:02) The Importance of Focus and Commitment

(01:15:53) Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

Lorcan Healy is a former professional footballer who played in the League of Ireland and the founder of EOS Elite, a rapidly growing running brand that surpassed seven figures in revenue within just a few years. In this conversation, he reflects on chasing the dream of becoming a professional athlete, the reality of high-performance environments, and why success rarely feels like “making it.” Lorcan shares the mindset required to balance elite sport with building a business, the discipline behind long-term goals, and why learning to embrace discomfort is essential if you want to grow.

Expect to learn why defining your personal values gives your life direction, how surrounding yourself with honest people accelerates growth, and why success without reflection can lead to burnout. We explore the psychology behind social proof and why people often doubt you before they respect you, the power of consistency when building something from nothing, and how adversity can become the moment that forces you to rebuild stronger. Lorcan also shares lessons from football, entrepreneurship, and endurance training and why welcoming challenge, rather than avoiding it, is what ultimately makes the reward worthwhile.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Find Lorcan/EOS Elite below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorcan-h-b16a68a8/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorcan_healy1/

EOS Elite Website: https://eos-elite.com/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Chasing Dreams: The Journey to Professional Football

(02:53) The Reality of Success: What Does 'Making It' Mean?

(05:48) Balancing Business and Sport: The Constant Grind

(08:52) Finding Peace in Hard Work: The Duality of Life

(12:07) Reflecting on Progress: The Importance of Review

(14:52) Building Relationships: The Key to Hiring

(18:02) Honesty in Communication: Personal and Professional Growth

(20:44) Cultural Perspectives: The Tall Poppy Syndrome

(23:49) Social Proof: The Psychology of Perception

(26:57) The Power of Consistency: Achieving Goals Through Persistence

(44:43) The Importance of Perception in Business

(46:00) Trends and Social Acceptance

(47:49) Cycles in Fashion and Society

(49:49) The Value of Historical Knowledge

(51:50) Building a Reading Habit

(52:57) The Power of Morning Routines

(58:14) Embracing Challenges and Discomfort

(01:03:04) Reevaluating Relationships and Opportunities

(01:11:31) Personal Growth and Values

Here's the seven things I learned this week.

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1. Travesty vs Sacrifice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SNJK_p2GRo

2. Courage is the mastery of fear, not the absence of it.

3. Best habit you can have is a sleep schedule.

4. Stress is the do not disturb button for ideas and creativity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQGt7MYhI7w&t=5755s

5. Don't set deadlines you can't reach.

6. Exercise and it's affect on overall productivity.

7. Take it one day at a time.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jenny Casson is a former Olympic rower who represented Canada on the world stage and competed at the highest level of international sport. In this conversation, she breaks down why the best conversations are often with people you disagree with, how high-performance environments can become echo chambers, and why blindly trusting the process can quietly limit growth. She reflects on questioning coaches, learning to trust her own instincts, and the courage it takes to challenge leadership while still pursuing excellence. Jenny shares how elite athletes balance collaboration over chain of command, why environment shapes performance more than talent alone, and how real confidence is built by taking ownership of your own journey.

Expect to learn why the most powerful conversations happen when opposing views meet with respect, and how disagreement, when handled well, becomes a catalyst for growth rather than division. We explore the dangers of surrounding yourself with “yes people,” the importance of earning your seat at the table, and why hiring to simply hit a quota can create doubt, division, and defensive workplaces. Jenny dives into women leading in male-dominated fields, cross-generational communication in fast-changing environments, and why questioning everything, from leadership to systems to your own beliefs is essential for long-term performance and progress.

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Find Jenny below:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercassonoly/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) The Art of Disagreement

(02:45) Questioning Authority in High Performance

(05:41) Navigating Post-Olympic Life

(11:43) Reinvention After Major Change

(17:38) Identity Beyond Athletics

(23:32) Societal Expectations and Career Transitions

(27:44) Women Leading in Male-Dominated Fields

(33:24) Gender Equality in Hiring Practices

(43:47) Bridging Generational Gaps in Communication

(50:46) The Role of Coaches in Athlete Development

(01:01:38) Understanding the Pressure on Olympic Athlete

It’s just me today, reflecting on February and the key lessons I took from the podcast this month. I break down insights from seven different guests across mindset, performance, neuroscience, leadership, and personal growth, and explain why doing a monthly recap helps me actually embed and apply what I’m learning instead of just moving on to the next conversation.I also reflect on where the podcast is at right now, the recent changes, and how I’m thinking about improving moving forward.-

Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Monthly Recap and Reflections

(05:55) The Impact of Relationships on Personal Growth

(18:02) The Role of Curiosity in Learning

(32:14) The Challenge of Proving Others Wrong

(38:04) Understanding Others' Perspectives

(43:23) Learning from Rejection

(48:52) Simplicity in Communication

(54:05) Implementing Knowledge Effectively

(01:00:01) The Power of Curiosity in Conversations

In this episode, I explain why I’m rebranding the podcast from Behind The Team into something bigger and more aligned with who I am now. What started as a sports-focused show has evolved into deeper conversations about life, learning, authors, experts, and personal growth. I talk about why I was feeling stuck, the importance of keeping things simple (not easier), what I’ve learned from hosting so far, and why the new name Philomath, meaning a lover of learning, represents the direction I truly want to take. This is about growth, clarity, and building something I genuinely enjoy

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Get in contact below:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richie O'Brien - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠