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"What if your darkest moment became the catalyst for your greatest transformation?"

This question lies at the heart of my profound conversation with Niall Harbison, whose remarkable journey from corporate success to rock-bottom alcoholism to purposeful revival might just change your perspective on what truly matters in life.

Niall's story begins as a private chef for billionaires aboard luxury yachts, where million-dollar fuel bills and private jets delivering Italian cheese were commonplace. He witnessed firsthand the hollow nature of extreme wealth before returning to Dublin to build his own successful businesses. Yet beneath this veneer of achievement lurked depression, anxiety, and a growing dependence on alcohol.

When COVID struck, Niall's life spiraled into a six-week bender in Thailand that nearly killed him. Lying in a hospital bed, certain he was dying, he experienced a revelation that would transform everything: the corporate success, social media followers, and material possessions he'd chased meant absolutely nothing. What flashed through his mind instead were simple moments of childhood joy and connection.

That rock-bottom moment became what Niall now calls "the best thing in my life." Upon recovery, he discovered purpose in rescuing Thailand's street dogs. What began as feeding a few hungry canines has expanded into a charity that feeds 1,200 dogs daily, performs thousands of sterilizations monthly, and has built a hospital named after Tina, a special rescue who lived just six months in freedom after a lifetime of abuse.

Niall's transformation at age 41 stands as powerful testament that it's never too late to reinvent yourself. His advice resonates with brutal honesty: "Follow your own path. Take risks. You don't have to do the life that's mapped out for you."

Whether you're questioning your purpose or just need a reminder of what truly matters, this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. Subscribe now and join the thousands finding inspiration in these authentic human stories of transformation.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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From Being Dismissed by Doctors to Revolutionising Menopause Care in Ireland – Loretta Dingham’s Journey Is One Every Woman Needs to Hear

When Loretta experienced her first hot flushes after her periods stopped at age 49, she thought she must be the youngest woman in Ireland to go through the menopause. Little did she know that the constellation of symptoms she had battled throughout her 40s – headaches that led to brain scans, recurrent urinary tract infections, dry eyes that landed her in A&E three times, weight gain, and skin breakouts – were all connected to perimenopause, a term she had never even heard before.

After years of medical gaslighting and being told she was simply “having a bad run of things,” Loretta decided to take matters into her own hands. Her frustration turned into determination after meeting a successful professional woman who had been suffering with menopausal symptoms for over a decade without knowing where to turn.

Within months, Loretta founded The Menopause Hub – Ireland’s first dedicated menopause clinic – long before celebrity campaigns and public discourse made menopause a mainstream topic. What began as a personal mission has become a nationwide movement.

Today, The Menopause Hub provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care through clinics in Dublin and Cork, with virtual consultations available across the country. But Loretta’s vision goes well beyond clinical care. Through The Menopause Hub Academy, she is transforming workplaces to better support women going through the menopause, aiming to halt the alarming exodus of experienced female talent from the workforce.

Her pioneering efforts have not gone unnoticed. Loretta was recently recognised by Forbes as one of their Top 50 Over 50, honouring her groundbreaking work and continued advocacy.

In this eye-opening conversation, Loretta discusses the barriers women still face in accessing proper menopause care, the life-changing benefits of personalised treatment, and her campaign for free women’s health checks. Her message is clear and urgent: women deserve better, and no one should suffer in silence.

Whether you're navigating menopause yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is filled with invaluable insights into reclaiming your vitality and advocating for your health. Subscribe now and share this conversation with every woman in your life.

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You can watch the full episode on YouTube [here].

Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review – it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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Dr. Clodagh Campbell, known as The Wellness Psychologist, shares her personal journey with anxiety as an adopted child and reveals how understanding yourself through psychology can transform both how you feel and how you live your life.

• How adoption and early separation created lifelong patterns of anxiety and abandonment fears
• The breaking point that led Clodagh to reevaluate her priorities and slow down
• Why anxiety often stems from trying to prove our worth through endless achievement
• How pregnancy-related illness forced a complete pause that ultimately brought clarity
• The importance of identifying what can "give" in your life when everything feels overwhelming
• Using the "four Ds" approach to manage overwhelm: do, delete, delegate, delay
• The difference between managing anxiety symptoms and healing underlying trauma
• Why boundaries are essential, particularly for those caring for others
• How becoming a mother changed Clodagh's relationship with her self-worth
• The unique challenges of being a highly sensitive person

If you're struggling with anxiety, self-worth, or feeling overwhelmed, pick up Dr. Campbell's book "The Steps" - available in all good bookstores and online now.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Abigail Godfrey — Netflix star of Selling the City and a high-profile real estate agent in Manhattan—for a raw and honest conversation about living with chronic pain, managing mental health, and the resilience it takes to thrive behind the scenes of success.

Abi shares her experience of being born with congenital torticollis, as well as her journey with genetic scoliosis — a condition that runs through generations of women in her family. At just 12 years old, she underwent major spinal fusion surgery, leaving her with metal rods, screws, and an S-shaped curve in her spine that causes ongoing daily pain. We talk about how she’s balanced that invisible struggle with the pressures of reality TV, depression, anxiety, and her recent experience coming off SSRIs after ten years.

We also explore the deeper meaning she’s found through advocacy — supporting mental health initiatives and co-founding the Elite V Football Showcase with her husband to help underserved young athletes access college opportunities. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and finding purpose through pain!

This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SKIN-HAIR-NAILS GLOW, the supplement I created for strong, healthy, and radiant beauty from within. If you’re dealing with hair thinning, dull skin, fine lines, or weak nails, this is for you. Packed with 12 powerhouse ingredients, this blend is designed to support fuller, thicker hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. At the heart of the formula is Reishi mushroom, bursting with antioxidants and beta glucans, alongside five amino acids to build collagen, plus vitamins C, A, E, zinc, and niacinamide for all-round nourishment.

The results speak for themselves—women post-pregnancy and going through peri and menopause have seen incredible transformations, from stronger nails in weeks to revived hair growth in months. But consistency is key—take two capsules daily, give your body time, and watch the transformation unfold. Available on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health stores nationwide.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Martin Rourke, a Dublin-based GP specialising in men’s health, for a wide-ranging and eye-opening conversation about testosterone, heart health, sleep, and the often-overlooked warning signs men ignore until it’s too late. From erectile dysfunction to fatigue and low motivation, Dr. Rourke explains how many of the symptoms men brush off could actually be pointing to something more serious — and why early action matters.

We talk about testosterone replacement therapy and why it’s so misunderstood, the benefits of low-dose daily Cialis (and how it differs from traditional ED treatments like Viagra), and how erectile dysfunction can signal early cardiovascular disease. Dr. Rourke also dives into prostate health and the importance of getting both blood tests and digital rectal exams, the link between undiagnosed sleep apnoea and high blood pressure, and how hair loss can have a real impact on men’s mental wellbeing.

Whether you’re a man noticing changes in your own health or someone who loves one, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and practical advice around the four key pillars of men’s health: diet, exercise, quality sleep, and stress reduction. A must-listen for anyone who wants to feel better, live longer, and take charge of their health!

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I sit down with fitness coach, nutritionist, bestselling author and podcast host Brian Keane to explore how stress, hormones, and mindset play a huge role in overall wellbeing—particularly for women going through perimenopause and beyond. Brian breaks down what cortisol actually does in the body, how it’s often misunderstood, and why short bursts of physical stress—like lifting weights, cold exposure, or high-intensity training—can help lower chronic stress and support long-term health.

We talk about the challenges so many women face around weight gain, body composition, and fatigue in midlife, and why the usual advice of eating less and doing more cardio just doesn’t cut it. Brian shares simple but effective strategies for building strength, fuelling your body with enough protein and healthy fats, and finding an approach that works for your lifestyle and stage of life. We also dive into mindset—how to break the cycle of all-or-nothing thinking, deal with emotional eating, and stop pressing the “f*ck-it button” when things don’t go to plan.

He also opens up about his own journey from unfulfilled teacher to leading voice in health and fitness, and the mindset shifts that helped him create a new path. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your health goals, overwhelmed by stress, or just need a reset to feel better in yourself, this episode is full of real talk and practical tools to help you move forward!

This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SHROOMS ANDROPAUSE FOR MEN, the latest addition to the fabÜ range. As men move into their 40s, testosterone levels naturally begin to decline—often leading to dips in energy, drive, mood and vitality. Some describe it as though the colour has drained from the TV—everything feels a little bit flat. ANDROPAUSE FOR MEN is a powerful, targeted blend created to support men through this transition and help them feel more like themselves again.

With Shilajit resin, Lion’s Mane mushroom, and a full spectrum of carefully chosen vitamins and minerals, ANDROPAUSE FOR MEN is designed to support testosterone levels, cognitive and muscle function, protein synthesis, energy, and even hair health. It’s all about bringing back clarity, strength, and that vital spark—with more pep in your step. Available now on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health food stores nationwide.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I’m joined by freediver, author, and speaker Claire Walsh for a powerful and vulnerable conversation about fertility, identity, and the emotional toll of IVF. Claire shares her deeply personal experience of going through seven IVF cycles that didn’t lead to pregnancy, opening up about the physical side effects, financial burden, and emotional rollercoaster that so many women silently endure.

We explore how infertility can seep into every part of life—from friendships and family dynamics to self-worth and future plans—and why conversations around failed fertility treatments are still so rare. Claire also speaks about how she found unexpected resilience and a sense of control through freediving, reconnecting with her body after years of medical intervention. This is a raw, brave, and beautifully honest episode that will stay with you long after you listen.

This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SKIN-HAIR-NAILS GLOW, the supplement I created for strong, healthy, and radiant beauty from within. If you’re dealing with hair thinning, dull skin, fine lines, or weak nails, this is for you. Packed with 12 powerhouse ingredients, this blend is designed to support fuller, thicker hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. At the heart of the formula is Reishi mushroom, bursting with antioxidants and beta glucans, alongside five amino acids to build collagen, plus vitamins C, A, E, zinc, and niacinamide for all-round nourishment.

The results speak for themselves—women post-pregnancy and going through peri and menopause have seen incredible transformations, from stronger nails in weeks to revived hair growth in months. But consistency is key—take two capsules daily, give your body time, and watch the transformation unfold. Available on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health stores nationwide.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I sit down with Dympna Little, the brilliantly sharp and darkly hilarious voice behind some of social media’s most honest conversations about grief, cancer, and humour as a coping mechanism. Dympna shares her mother’s battle with peritoneal cancer, highlighting the repeated misdiagnoses that delayed treatment and the raw realities of navigating end-of-life care. She also challenges common narratives around loss, discussing why being present for a loved one’s final moments isn’t always the peaceful experience people imagine.

We also dive into her fight to reform Ireland’s cancer wig grant system, exposing how some providers overcharge women for low-quality wigs and why she’s campaigning to have the grant paid directly to patients. Dympna reflects on how making comedy videos to cheer up her mother during treatment became the foundation of her social media success, and why she believes we should all trust our instincts when it comes to health. This conversation is a rollercoaster of emotions—raw, real, and unexpectedly funny. Tune in for an episode that will challenge how you think about grief, loss, and the power of humour in the darkest times.

This episode is brought to you by fabÜ SKIN-HAIR-NAILS GLOW, the supplement I created for strong, healthy, and radiant beauty from within. If you’re dealing with hair thinning, dull skin, fine lines, or weak nails, this is for you. Packed with 12 powerhouse ingredients, this blend is designed to support fuller, thicker hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. At the heart of the formula is Reishi mushroom, bursting with antioxidants and beta glucans, alongside five amino acids to build collagen, plus vitamins C, A, E, zinc, and niacinamide for all-round nourishment.

The results speak for themselves—women post-pregnancy and going through peri and menopause have seen incredible transformations, from stronger nails in weeks to revived hair growth in months. But consistency is key—take two capsules daily, give your body time, and watch the transformation unfold. Available on fabuwellness.com and in pharmacies and health stores nationwide.

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I sit down with Prof. Robert Kelly, a leading consultant cardiologist, to explore how small lifestyle changes can have a massive impact on heart health. We break away from the traditional approach to heart care, looking at nutrition, stress management, and mindset shifts that can help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease. Prof. Kelly shares insights on the Mediterranean diet, how visualising yourself as healthy can improve long-term outcomes, and why taking an active role in your own healthcare is key to success.

We also discuss the hidden impact of stress and poor sleep on heart health, the role of supplements and medications, and how personalised health coaching can help people take control of their wellbeing. Whether you're looking to improve your heart health, make lasting changes, or just gain a better understanding of how lifestyle affects overall wellness, this episode is packed with expert knowledge and practical advice. Tune in for a fascinating conversation on how to take charge of your heart health—starting today!

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.

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In this episode, I sit down with Maurice Neligan, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, to explore everything from knee pain and joint preservation to the latest advancements in joint replacement surgery. We break down what actually happens during surgery, how modern materials are improving outcomes, and the critical role of prehabilitation in setting patients up for success.

Maurice shares expert insights on managing joint health, including physiotherapy strategies, lifestyle modifications, and alternative treatments that could help delay or even avoid surgery. We also discuss recovery timelines, realistic expectations after joint replacement, and the importance of patient education in making informed decisions about treatment.

Whether you're dealing with joint pain, considering surgery, or just want to better understand how to protect your joints as you age, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert knowledge to help you stay active and pain-free. Tune in for an insightful conversation on keeping your joints – and overall mobility – in the best shape possible!

Thanks for listening! You can watch the full episode on YouTube here. Don’t forget to follow The Laura Dowling Experience podcast on Instagram @lauradowlingexperience for updates and more information. You can also follow our host, Laura Dowling, @fabulouspharmacist for more insights and tips. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it really helps us out! Stay tuned for more great conversations.