In this episode of Tis Yourself, I sit down with dual-code Galway GAA star Alan Kerins to discuss his legendary sporting career and his transformative humanitarian work in Africa.

From winning an All-Ireland football medal to the physical and mental toll of playing both inter-county hurling and football simultaneously, Alan shares the highs and lows of life on the pitch. Beyond the stadium, Alan reveals the deeply personal inspiration behind the Alan Kerins Project and the Plant the Planet Games, an initiative that has seen over 50 GAA stars travel to Kenya to plant one million trees and support local livelihoods.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The Dual-Player Challenge: Alan discusses the immense pressure and "mentally draining" reality of playing both senior hurling and football for Galway.
• The Power of the GAA: How the GAA provides an "informal social support network" and a vital sense of identity and belonging.
• From Physiotherapy to Philanthropy: The "trigger" moments—from childhood memories of Live Aid to a life-changing encounter in a hospital ward—that led Alan to Zambia and beyond.
• Plant the Planet Games: The story behind the historic 2022 and 2023 trips where 50+ inter-county players, including stars like Dan Morrissey and Jane Adams, traded boots for shovels to combat climate change and poverty.
• Building Resilient Children: Alan’s guiding philosophy: "It’s far easier to build strong children than to fix broken adults."

Whether you're a GAA fanatic interested in the grit of inter-county sports or looking for an inspiring story of how one person can ignite global change, this conversation is a must-listen. Donate to Alan's cause here: https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/plant-the-planet-games/

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