Kieran Kelly went from the family butcher's to CEO of Ubloquity, the Belfast firm

securing global supply chains.

What does it actually take to build a technology company from an unorthodox start,

and who do you need around you to do it?

In this episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, Ciarán May sits down with Kieran

Kelly, founder and CEO of Ubloquity, to trace a route into tech that went through a

family butcher's shop and a bedroom building PCs before it arrived anywhere near a

boardroom.

Kieran describes Ubloquity as the trust protocol in the supply chain. It uses

blockchain to let goods move across borders without friction, and to prove where

something came from, what it is made of and who made it. He talks through the

company's work with Amazon Web Services, and a project with Lowden Guitars in County

Down that gave individual instruments a verifiable record of their own provenance.

The conversation turns to what scaling actually costs. Kieran is direct about the

cognitive load, the pressure, the stakes and the risk of building a start-up, and

about why none of it is survivable alone. His line for it is that it takes a village

to raise a start-up. Finding a tribe of founders who understand the work gives you a

support system, and people who will show you your own blind spots.

He closes on Northern Ireland's technology sector, and why the grit, the

determination and the genuine willingness to collaborate here amount to a competitive

advantage rather than a consolation.

IN THIS CONVERSATION

- From the family butchers, to building PCs, to founding a technology company

- What Ubloquity does, and what a trust protocol in the supply chain means

- Blockchain, frictionless borders, and proving provenance

- The work with AWS and the Lowden Guitars project

- Why scaling is high load, high pressure, high stakes and high risk

- Finding your tribe, and the blind spots only other founders can show you

- Collaboration as Northern Ireland's competitive advantage

TAKE THE FOUNDER SCORECARD

Kieran is clear that no founder gets there alone. The Founder Scorecard is where that

starts. It takes a few minutes and shows you where you are performing well, and where

you need more clarity, structure or support.

https://founder-first.scoreapp.com

GET THE LESSONS FROM EVERY EPISODE

We pull the most useful thinking out of these conversations and send it to our mailing

list, so the ideas outlast the episode.

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MORE FROM NATURAL RESILIENCE

Website: https://natural-resilience.co.uk

Subscribe to The Natural Resilience Podcast for more honest conversations about

leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship and the realities of building a meaningful

life and business. New episodes twice a month, recorded in Belfast.

The Natural Resilience Podcast explores how founders, leaders, elite performers and

remarkable people build the capacity to perform, endure and live well.

#KieranKelly #Ubloquity #SupplyChain #Blockchain #BelfastTech #NorthernIreland

#TechFounder #Startup #LowdenGuitars #NaturalResiliencePodcast

CHAPTERS

[To follow. Auto-captions exist on the video, so these can be built from the real

transcript. First timestamp at 0:00, minimum three, each at least ten seconds.]

Tracy Kelly grew up on Sandy Row and went on to become Lord Mayor of Belfast.

What does authentic leadership look like when it is rooted in community, shaped by working-class values and driven by a determination to make sure nobody feels left behind?

In this episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, Ciarán May sits down with Tracy Kelly, former Lord Mayor of Belfast, to explore her journey from Sandy Row to Belfast City Hall and the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership.

Tracy speaks openly about growing up in a proud working-class community, the importance of representation, and why people from areas like Sandy Row should be encouraged to believe that their background does not limit their future.

The conversation explores grassroots leadership, staying connected to the people you represent, and the responsibility leaders have to make sure communities do not feel forgotten. Tracy also reflects on the realities of public leadership, remaining true to herself, and using her position to help others see what might be possible for their own lives.

This conversation was recorded during Tracy's term as Lord Mayor. Her term has sinceended.

IN THIS CONVERSATION

- Growing up on Sandy Row and what that community gave her

- The road from grassroots work to Belfast City Hall

- Representation, and why it matters who is in the room

- Staying connected to the people you represent

- The realities of public leadership

- Leadership as impact rather than title

TAKE THE FOUNDER SCORECARD

If you are a founder or business leader who wants to lead yourself and your organisation in the right direction, the Founder Scorecard will help you identify where you are performing strongly and where greater clarity, structure or support may be needed.

https://founder-first.scoreapp.com

ABOUT BREAKING BREAD

This episode was recorded live at Breaking Bread, our quarterly leadership and business breakfast in Belfast. Every three months we bring together 50 of the city's top entrepreneurs and business leaders for three live fireside interviews and the conversations that follow.

Join the waiting list: https://businessnetwork.scoreapp.com

MORE FROM NATURAL RESILIENCE

Website: https://natural-resilience.co.uk

Join the mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hhiFzr

Subscribe to The Natural Resilience Podcast for more honest conversations about leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship and the realities of building a meaningful life and business.

New episodes twice a month, recorded in Belfast.

#TracyKelly #LordMayorOfBelfast #SandyRow #Belfast #NorthernIreland #Leadership#CommunityLeadership #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBread #NaturalResiliencePodcast

Sometimes the greatest purpose is forged through life's greatest loss.After losing his father to a heart attack and later his father-in-law, Mark Hanna found purpose through supporting Marie Curie. What began as a way of giving back has become a lifelong mission.

Since then, he has:

Raised over £1 million for Marie Curie.

Completed 22 marathons (with the Dublin Marathon 2026 next on the horizon).

Taken on multiple Ironman competitions.

Reached Everest Base Camp.

Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Cycled the length of Ireland.

Trekked Machu Picchu.

Organised Northern Ireland's Time Ball, raising significant funds for Marie Curie every two years.

But this conversation isn't really about endurance sport. It's about grief, purpose, service, and the extraordinary impact one person can make when they dedicate themselves to a cause greater than themselves.

Mark also shares his remarkable personal transformation, losing five stone, and reflects on why purpose—not motivation—is what keeps him moving forward.

If you've ever wondered how ordinary people achieve extraordinary things, this episode is for you.

If Mark's story resonates with you and you'd like to support this year's Time Ball in aid of Marie Curie, you can make a donation here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/timeball7-11-26?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Every conversation has the power to change a life.

Neil McManus is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers ever to represent Antrim. Over a remarkable 17-year inter-county career, he captained his county, competed at the highest level of Gaelic Games and became one of the most respected figures in Irish sport.But this conversation goes far beyond hurling.In this episode of the Natural Resilience Podcast, Neil joins Ciarán May to explore the leadership lessons learned from elite sport, the importance of community, and the transition from athlete to entrepreneur.Growing up in Cushendall, Neil developed a deep connection to place, identity and service. Today, alongside his sporting legacy, he is helping create opportunities for future generations and has embarked on a new journey as a founder, building solutions designed to solve real-world problems.Together they discuss:✅ Leadership under pressure✅ Captaining teams and managing expectations✅ High performance and resilience✅ Lessons from elite sport that apply to business✅ Entrepreneurship and start-up life✅ Community, connection and belonging✅ The future of work and the impact of AI✅ Why human skills matter more than everWhether you're a founder, leader, entrepreneur, athlete or simply someone looking to perform at a higher level, this conversation is packed with practical insights and timeless lessons.---🎙 About the Natural Resilience PodcastHosted by Ciarán May, founder of Natural Resilience, this podcast explores leadership, resilience, wellbeing and sustainable high performance through conversations with exceptional people from business, sport, public service and beyond.New episodes released every two weeks.Connect with Ciaran May on LinkedinWebsite - www.natural-resilience.co.uk-If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.#NeilMcManus #Leadership #Hurling #AntrimGAA #Entrepreneurship #FounderJourney #BusinessLeadership #HighPerformance #Resilience #NaturalResilience #Podcast #NorthernIreland #CiaranMay #SportAndBusiness #LeadershipLessons

Are you building a business, a brand or huge company like Blk Box? Take our Founder Scorecard to see how much capacity to truly have - https://founder-first.scoreapp.com

What does it really take to build a world-class business from Belfast and compete on the global stage?In this episode of the Natural Resilience Podcast, Ciarán May sits down with Greg Bradley, CEO and Founder of Blk Box, one of Northern Ireland's most successful international brands in the fitness and performance industry.

From humble beginnings to supplying some of the world's leading sports organisations, professional teams, elite athletes and high-performance facilities, Greg shares the real story behind Black Box's growth.

This is an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, business growth and the realities of scaling a company internationally.

Greg discusses:

* How Blk Box was founded

* The early challenges of building a business

* Scaling from Belfast to global markets

* Winning major international contracts

* Leadership lessons learned through growth

* Managing risk, uncertainty and setbacks

* Building a high-performance culture

* The future of the fitness and performance industry

* What founders and entrepreneurs need to know about sustainable growth

Whether you're a founder, entrepreneur, business owner, leader or someone interested in building a successful brand, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world lessons from one of Northern Ireland's leading business success stories.

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, wellbeing and high performance.

#GregBradley #BlackBoxFitness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #FounderJourney #StartupSuccess #HighPerformance #BusinessPodcast #NaturalResilience #ScaleUp #NorthernIrelandBusiness #CEO #FounderFirst #LeadershipDevelopment #FitnessIndustry #BusinessSuccess #Resilience #Innovation #Podcast

What happens when someone decides to challenge one of the biggest cultural norms in Ireland?

In this episode of the Natural Resilience Podcast, I sit down with Jim Fitzpatrick, founder of Sober Irish, to discuss the rise of alcohol-free living, changing attitudes towards drinking, and why choosing not to drink no longer means opting out of life.

Alcohol-free beverages are experiencing huge global growth, particularly amongst younger generations who are prioritising health, energy, performance and meaningful connection over traditional drinking culture.

But this isn't a conversation about prohibition or telling people how to live. It's a conversation about choice.

Jim shares the story behind building Sober Irish, the inspiration behind the name, the challenges of launching a business that disrupts cultural norms, and why he believes Ireland can still be synonymous with great craic, community and social connection… just without the alcohol.

We also discuss:

• Why alcohol consumption is declining around the world

• The changing relationship younger generations have with alcohol

• Building a challenger brand in a traditional market

• Identity, habits and social pressure

• Entrepreneurship and starting a purpose-driven business

• The future of alcohol-free products

• Why socialising doesn't have to revolve around drinking

Whether you drink alcohol, are sober curious, or simply interested in changing consumer trends and modern Irish culture, this is a fascinating conversation.

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations exploring resilience, leadership, business, health and the people shaping the future.

Follow Natural Resilience:

Instagram: @naturalresilience_

LinkedIn: Ciarán May

Website: https://www.naturalresilience.co.uk

#SoberIrish #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #IrishBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #NaturalResilience #Health #Wellbeing #FounderJourney #Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, I sit down with Leah McCourt for a conversation that goes far beyond the cage.While many people know Leah as one of Ireland's most successful mixed martial artists, this discussion focuses on the person behind the fighter. We explore the role that faith has played throughout her life, the challenges and responsibilities of raising children as a single mother, and the resilience required to navigate adversity while remaining true to your values.Leah shares her honest reflections on motherhood, identity, purpose, belief, personal growth, and the realities of balancing elite performance with family life. Whether you're interested in leadership, resilience, faith, personal development, parenting, or sport, this episode offers powerful lessons that extend far beyond MMA.Topics covered in this episode include:• Leah McCourt's journey through professional MMA• Faith, belief, and spirituality in challenging times• The realities of single motherhood• Building resilience through adversity• Balancing family, career, and personal purpose• Mental strength and emotional wellbeing• Identity beyond achievement and performance• Leadership, responsibility, and role modelling for children• Lessons from elite sport that apply to everyday lifeThis episode is a reminder that resilience is not simply about enduring hardship—it's about finding meaning, staying grounded in your values, and continuing to move forward when life becomes difficult.If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing Leah's story.

What really happens when you bring ambitious founders together and build a business growth programme around health, accountability, leadership and real human connection instead of hustle culture?In this solo episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, I reflect honestly on the first five months of the Fit Founders Club — a founder-first programme designed for business owners who want to scale sustainably without sacrificing their health, family life or themselves in the process.Over the past five months, we’ve brought together a room of founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland for a completely different type of business community. Not another WhatsApp group. Not another networking event based on surface-level conversations. A genuine environment built around performance, resilience, accountability, systems, wellbeing and long-term thinking.In this episode, I break down:What’s worked so far inside the Fit Founders ClubThe biggest lessons from working closely with ambitious foundersWhy loneliness and pressure are still massive issues for business ownersThe importance of health, sleep, stress management and recovery in leadershipHow accountability changes behaviourWhy in-person connection matters more than everThe power of getting founders out of reactive modeWhat I’ve learned personally as a facilitator and founderThe challenges, surprises and unexpected wins from the programme so farWhere the Fit Founders Club is heading nextI also share insights from some of our recent experiences and workshops, including:Private founder sessions at BlackBox FitnessLeadership and systems workshopsWHOOP performance tracking and health educationEOS-inspired business planningFounder vision presentationsConversations around sustainable high performanceBuilding a founder operating system that supports both business growth and personal wellbeingThe Fit Founders Club was built on a simple belief:You should not have to destroy your health, relationships or peace of mind in order to build a successful business.This episode is for founders, entrepreneurs, CEOs, business owners and leaders who are trying to build something meaningful whilst navigating pressure, responsibility and ambition in the modern world.#FitFoundersClub #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #FounderLife #Resilience #HighPerformance #MentalHealth #BusinessOwner #CEO #Founder #NaturalResilience #Podcast #PerformancePsychology #LeadershipDevelopment #SustainableHighPerformance #EOS #Accountability #HealthAndPerformance #NorthernIrelandBusiness

What does it really take to build a consumer brand from scratch in one of the most competitive industries in the world?

In this episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, I sit down with Laura Murphy — founder of Oatco Superfuel, recent Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, and entrepreneur who secured investment from Steven Bartlett on Dragons’ Den.

Laura shares the real story behind building Oatco — from the early uncertainty and pressure of starting a business, to scaling a brand across major retailers while balancing motherhood, ambition and the realities of modern entrepreneurship.

We discuss:• The origin story behind Oatco Superfuel• Why Laura believes “natural energy” is the future of functional nutrition• The truth about building a startup behind the social media highlights• What it was really like stepping into Dragons’ Den• Negotiating live on television with Steven Bartlett• The pressure that comes with rapid visibility and growth• Building a business from Omagh, Northern Ireland• Motherhood, resilience and identity under pressure• What success actually means beyond money and headlines

This is a conversation about far more than business.

It’s about resilience, belief, pressure, purpose and what it really takes to build something meaningful when there are no guarantees.

If you enjoy conversations around entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, mindset and high performance, make sure to subscribe to The Natural Resilience Podcast.

#LauraMurphy #Oatco #DragonsDen #StevenBartlett #Entrepreneurship #FounderStory #NaturalResilience #Podcast #Forbes30Under30 #BusinessPodcast #Mindset #Resilience #NorthernIreland #WomenInBusiness #Leadership

In this powerful episode of the Natural Resilience Podcast, I sit down with undefeated professional boxer Caoimhin Agyarko to explore a story that goes far beyond the ring.

From growing up in West Belfast to surviving a near-fatal stabbing, Caoimhin’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and relentless belief. Left for dead as a teenager, he fought his way back — not just to survive, but to pursue a mission: becoming the first black Irish world champion.

This conversation dives deep into the mindset required to overcome adversity, handle pressure, and stay focused when everything is on the line.

We explore the reality of life as a professional boxer, the unseen challenges behind an undefeated record, and the internal standards that drive elite performance.

If you’re interested in mindset, resilience, high performance, or powerful real-life stories — this episode will stay with you.

In this episode, we cover:

Caoimhin Agyarko’s upbringing in Belfast

The stabbing incident that nearly ended his life

His recovery — physically and mentally

The mindset behind staying undefeated

Pressure, identity, and representing something bigger

His goal to become the first black Irish world champion

What resilience really means under pressure

About Caoimhin Agyarko:

Caoimhin Agyarko is an undefeated Irish professional boxer competing in the light-middleweight division. Known for his composure, technical ability, and mental strength, he is one of Ireland’s most exciting rising fighters and is on a mission to make history.