The Irish Balance Podcast

Episode 52: COVID-19 and Keeping Our Schools Safe with Dr. Abigail Collins

Thu, 13 May 2021 16:35:43 -0300

I'm delighted to be joined in this week's episode by Dr. Abigali Collins, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the National Cancer Control Programme. Dr Collins immediately re-deployed back to the frontline in Public Health in the Midlands when COVID-19 reached Ireland and provided the consultant leadership for several large and difficult residential care facility outbreaks. Subsequent to this work, she was asked to take on a national role in the Covid-19 outbreak response and has been a fantastic public health leader on the national public health response to COVID-19 in educational settings. I'm so grateful to Dr. Collins for giving some time out of her very busy schedule to have a chat with me on the podcast.

In this episode, we discuss the key points on COVID-19 and schools - how we can all help keep our school communities safe, what is involved in the public health response to a case of COVID-19 in the school setting, and a little bit about what happens if someone is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

I really hope you enjoy this conversation and learn something from it!

Episode 51: COVID-19, Pregnancy and Vaccines with Dr. Sarah Murphy

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:13:12 -0300

Welcome back to another episode of the podcast! In this episode I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Sarah Murphy (@drsarahjmurphy on Instagram), who is an Irish doctor specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. We speak on this episode about Sarah's career to date, and then discuss COVID-19 and pregnancy, COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy and the importance of smear tests as part of cervical screening. We also chat a little bit about being doctors on social media. I so enjoyed chatting to Sarah and I hope you guys enjoy this episode!

Thanks for listening!

Episode 50: Sports Nutrition, Performance and Social Media with Kate McDaid

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 14:59:58 -0400

In this week's episode, I am delighted to be joined by Kate McDaid, who many of you will know as @nutrikate on Instagram. Kate studied Food Science at the University of College Dublin before following her ambition and moving to the UK to complete an MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University. She secured a position in a nutrition consultancy over there, progressing to Senior Health and Performance Nutritionist. Back in Ireland, she founded NutriKate, which is a high performance nutrition consultancy that is based in Dublin. Kate’s love for sport is clear - she has captained the Irish basketball team and continues to play basketball competitively in the Super League with Trinity Meteors – and I’m pretty sure we played against each other way back when! She is also a lecturer in Applied Nutrition at TUD, and a fluent Irish speaker, having previously featured on shows like the ‘Underdogs’ and BBC’s ‘An Focal Scoir’ as well as being a contributor to Radio na Gaeltachta and Radio na Life.

We had a great conversation about nutrition for performance and sport, myths and misinformation about nutrition online, and balancing social media across professional and personal lives. I hope you enjoy our chat as much as we enjoyed recording it!

As always, if you enjoyed listening to the podcast let us know! Tag us in your Instagram stories, send us a DM, leave a comment on the podcast, get in touch! And if you'd like to leave a review of the podcast that's always appreciated too.

Episode 49: Sport, Psychology and Pursuing Medicine with Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 08:05:26 -0400

Today I am so delighted to be joined by Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh (@mairetnc on Instagram), who is a fully accredited Sport Ireland Institute Sport and Exercise Psychologist, bilingual television and radio presenter with RTÉ TG4 and Newstalk, and also current medical student! And she's a Galway gal too! I'm really excited and grateful to have MT on the podcast today – we had a fantastic and interesting conversation about her experience in media and medicine so far, her background in sports psychology, and the relationship between sport, exercise and mental health.

As always, if you enjoy the episode, let us know - tag us in your Instagram stories, send us a DM, comment on the podcast, get in touch! And if you'd like to leave a review that'd be awesome too - thanks gang!

Episode 48: Intuitive Movement and Training Happy with Tally Rye

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 06:35:43 -0400

Please note - This podcast includes conversation about diet culture, our relationships with food and exercise, body image and weight. If you don't feel that's something you are comfortable listening to right now, maybe save this one for another time.

In this episode, I was so delighted to sit down and have a chat with personal trainer, fitness instructor, author, podcast host, content creator and all round good egg Tally Rye (@tallyrye on Instagram). Tally is a definite game-changer in the fitness industry, particularly on social media, sharing her own personal journey with health and fitness, promoting the concept of intuitive fitness, and prioritising our happiness, health and well-being in the face of diet culture and a pervasive weight-centric narrative

We spoke about Tally's journey with food and movement, diet culture, obsessions with health and fitness, social media and comparison, and, my favourite part of the episode, intuitive movement and the Train Happy ethos Tally created and follows. If you haven't, definitely check out Tally's book Train Happy, and her awesome podcast, The Train Happy Podcast - it's a favourite of mine, one I look forward to each week.

As always, let us know if you enjoy this episode - tag myself and Tally on social media, leave a comment, send a DM, whichever, I'd love to hear your feedback! Thanks for listening. You can find Tally's website here - https://tallyrye.co.uk/about/ .

Episode 47: Medical School, Dermatology, & Skin Cancer Prevention with Dr. Ciara Drumm

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 14:53:23 -0300

The podcast is back with a brand new episode! After a break over the summer, I'm delighted to be back recording again. Today's episode is a conversation with one of my best friends and fellow doctor (based in Dublin), Dr. Ciara Drumm. Ciara and I were in medical school together and have been great friends ever since - while I have pursued public health, Ciara, having worked as a doctor in Ireland and Australia to date, has been navigating a path she is equally passionate about, into dermatology. In this episode, we discuss our experiences of medical school, junior doctor life, and finding our way to different medical specialties. We also discuss an area where our specialties overlap - skin cancer prevention, and Ciara is a wealth of knowledge on this important topic. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland – with two main types; non-melanoma skin cancer, melanoma skin cancer. We discuss both, plus the risk factors for skin cancer, how to protect our skin, and how to regularly check our skin too.

As always, if you enjoy this episode, let us know! Tag myself (@theirishbalance) and Ciara (@drummci) on Instagram when you listen in - we'd love to hear your thoughts on the episode.

Episode 46: Podcast Q&A - Habits, Public Health and Finding Balance

Mon, 25 May 2020 08:50:56 -0300

Hi guys! Another podcast Q&A style episode with me. This week, I've sat down and recorded a chat answering your questions submitting to my Instagram last week. I discuss how my most important habits, public health and my favourite aspects of it, balancing work and study, and finding balance itself. The questions were quite diverse - thanks to all who submitted questions to me! I asked you guys on my Instagram last week if you'd like a Podcast Q&A episode and the resounding answer was yes, so here you go!

Enjoy - as always, thanks for listening and let me know if you liked this week's recording. Leave a comment, send me a message on Instagram, or tag me in your Instagram stories if you tune in!

Episode 45: Podcast Q&A - How Are You?, Motivation, Balance & Yoga

Sun, 17 May 2020 15:01:15 -0300

Welcome back to another episode of The Irish Balance podcast! This week, I've sat down and recorded a chat answering your questions submitting to my Instagram last week. I discuss how I'm coping with COVID-19, balancing blogging and my work as a public health doctor, motivation and how I got started with yoga. The questions were quite diverse - thanks to all who submitted questions to me! I asked you guys on my Instagram last week if you'd like a Podcast Q&A episode and the resounding answer was yes, so here you go!

Enjoy - as always, thanks for listening and let me know if you liked this week's recording. Leave a comment, send me a message on Instagram, or tag me in your Instagram stories if you tune in!

You can find my blog at www.theirishbalance.com .

Episode 44: Staying Active While Staying Home with Nathalie Lennon

Sun, 10 May 2020 15:18:25 -0300

This week on the Podcast, we're talking about staying active while staying at home, and using staying home as an opportunity to figure out ways to move and exercise that are both enjoyable and sustainable. My guest is personal trainer, fitness influencer and nutrition coach Nathalie Lennon (@nathalielennon_ on Instagram), who is also a good friend of mine and an all round positive, inspirational powerhouse of a gal! Nathalie's message is centred around focusing on the mental and physical health benefits exercise can bring us, and ensuring the activity we do is enjoyable and sustainable.

We discuss different ways to be physically active while following current public health advice and the importance of movement for enjoyment. I loved having this chat with Nathalie and I hope you guys enjoy listening! If you enjoy this Podcast, as always let myself and Nathalie know - get in touch via Instagram, tag us in your Instagram stories or leave a comment on the Podcast here!

Episode 43: Looking After Your Heart and Redefining Health with Dr. Nikki Stamp

Sun, 03 May 2020 07:26:19 -0300

Welcome back to another episode gang! This week, I am joined by Dr. Nikki Stamp, an Australian cardio-thoracic surgeon (@drnikkistamp on Instagram). Nikki trained throughout Australia and holds a Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine with Honors. She also holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in cardiothoracic surgery, and her research is widely published in various medical and surgical journals. Her research includes mentoring and gender in surgery, improving the patient journey and outcomes after cardiac surgery and the way plaque or atherosclerosis forms in our arteries. Her first book, Can You Die of a Broken Heart? has been translated into seven languages and Her second book, Pretty Unhealthy, was released in 2019, and I devoured it this year when it was finally released in Ireland and the UK!

In this episode we discuss heart health, navigating social media and challenges in finding work-life balance as doctors, and, in my favourite part of the episode, we chat about Nikki's latest book Pretty Unhealthy, discussing how we can rethink and redefine what health looks like, while avoiding the health myths and misinformation out there. This was one of the best conversations I've had on the podcast to date, and I hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed recording it! Tag myself and Nikki in your Instagram stories if you tune in! Nikki's website is http://www.drnikkistamp.com/. As always, subscribe to the podcast if you enjoy it and leave a review if you like! Thanks for listening.

Episode 42: COVID-19 - Your Questions Answered Part 2 with Dr. Laura Lenihan and Dr. Clíodhna Ní Bhuachalla

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:04:30 -0300

Welcome back to a much anticipated Part 2 episode of COVID-19 - Your Questions Answered, with GP Dr. Laura Lenihan (@drlauragp on Instagram) and Dr. Clíodhna Ní Bhuachalla, specialist in clinical microbiology and public health physician (@c_ni_bhuachalla on Instagram). If you haven't listened to our Part 1 episode, please do! In this Part 2 conversation, we discuss progress to date in Ireland in relation to measures taken to reduce the burden of COVID-19, the danger of complacency as regards our control over the virus here, the most up to date advice for the Irish general public on the use of facemasks and disposable gloves, what antibody testing is and what it's limitations are, and the importance of not ignoring non-COVID-19 related medical symptoms and signs people might be experiencing. Finally, we discuss the importance of following key public health advice - hand and respiratory hyigene, social/physical distancing, staying home and staying informed. Laura, Cliodhna and I also share what we're finding helpful to mind our mental well-being in the current global pandemic.

If you enjoy this episode, let us know! Tag us in your Instagram stories (I'm @theirishbalance on IG), leave a comment on the podcast or send us a message! As always, please subscribe to the podcast if you're enjoying it and leave a review if you'd like to, all support is greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening.

Episode 41: Food Is More Than Fuel With Daniel Davey

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 11:41:59 -0300

In this week's episode I am joined by performance nutritionist Daniel Davey, who many of you may follow as @daveynutrition on Instagram. Daniel currently works as a nutritionist with Leinster Rugby and Dublin football – his background is in Science as an undergraduate, followed by a Masters in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. In addition, he has recently published his own fantastic cookbook – Eat Up, Raise Your Game! You can find his newly launched website at https://www.daveynutrition.com/ .

In this episode, we discuss understanding nutrition, challenges to a healthy dietary pattern, what we should know about our three key macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein), and the importance of a healthy relationship with food. I couldn't have enjoyed recording this episode more - Daniel is a wealth of quality and helpful information on all things nutrition and an all round good egg too! As always, let us know if you listen - tag myself and Daniel in your Instagram stories, or leave a comment on the podcast! Please do subscribe and share a review too, all support for the podcast is much appreciated.

Episode 40: Understanding Gut Health with Orla Walsh

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 11:47:54 -0300

In this week's episode, we’re going to focus on looking after our digestive/gut health and chat a little bit about irritable bowel syndrome. I’m absolutely delighted to have as my guest someone who many of you may already follow, and who I’m a big fan of – Irish dietitian Orla Walsh (@orlawalshnutrition on Instagram). Orla qualified as a dietitian from King’s College London, after completing undergraduate studies in physiology, and she also has a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from Roehampton University. Her personal areas of interest in nutrition are weight loss, disordered eating, irritable bowel syndrome and heart health, and she also has been professionally involved in sports nutrition – she was even involved in the nutritional management of several of the Olympic athletes who went to the Rio games in 2016! Orla holds a clinic in the Dublin Nutrition Centre (http://orlawalshnutrition.ie/), and also has a lot of media experience, operating her own epic Instagram account, and contributing frequently to written and radio media. Her Instagram account is a breath of fresh air – equal parts science, a good laugh and a no nonsense approach to communicating nutritional information.

I hope you guys enjoy this episode - we discuss what gut health is, why our gut bacteria are important, some myths and misinformation on this area, how to improve our fibre intake and what a health bowel habit looks like, and so much more. Tag myself and Orla in your Instagram stories if you tune in - and of course, subscribe to the Podcast if you haven't! Thanks for listening.

Episode 39: Being Better with Shane Ryan of Fiid

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:08:23 -0300

In this week's episode, I am joined by a very good friend of mine Shane Ryan. Shane is an entrepreneur in the Irish food business - he is the founder of Fiid, an Irish company whose product, plant-based tasty and healthy convenience meals with a difference, you may have seen on in your local Super Value, Tesco, Spar and also in Sainsburys and Ocado in the UK. The reason I’ve brought Shane on is to share the story of Fiid with you guys, with the aim of helping us all to realise how small changes in our daily lives can help us to be better, both in terms of our physical and mental health, and how these changes can help us to contribute to society as individuals through our lifestyle choices.

I really hope you enjoy our conversation in this episode and that it resonates with you guys. I'm very grateful to Shane for giving up his time to be my guest this week. You can find more information on Fiid at https://www.eatfiid.com/ and on Instagram at @eatfiid. As always, if you enjoy this episode, let us know! Tag myself and @eatfiid in your Instagram stories, leave a comment here, we'd love to hear from you. If you haven't already, do subscribe to The Irish Balance Podcast!

Episode 38: COVID-19 - The Challenges Our Pharmacies Face with Laura Dowling

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:12:15 -0300

Welcome back to another episode of The Irish Balance Podcast! This week I am delighted to be joined by Irish pharmacist Laura Dowling, who is @fabulouspharmacist on Instagram! Laura is a fantastic person to follow on Instagram - known for her hilarious dance videos and no nonsense approach to communicating health information. I love the insights she provides to our pharmacies in Ireland. In this episode we discuss the challenges our pharmacies face in the COVID-19 pandemic, what Laura loves most about her job and how she navigates social media on top of her day job. We also discuss the key steps we can all take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. As always, if you enjoy this episode let us know! And don't forget to subscribe to the Podcast if you haven't! Thanks for listening.

Episode 37: COVID-19 - Your Questions Answered with Dr. Laura Lenihan and Dr. Clíodhna Ní Bhuachalla

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 06:52:03 -0300

I think this is one of my favourite Podcast episodes I have recorded to date. In this episode I'm joined by two fellow doctors - Dr. Laura Lenihan, general practitioner and @drlauragp on Instagram, and Dr. Cliodhna Ní Bhuachalla, specialist in Clinical Microbiology and public health doctor. and @c_ni_bhuachalla on Instagram. It's fantastic to have been able to get the three of us together to discuss COVID-19, both broadly and especially in the Irish context as that's where we all work.

In this episode, we decided to address some commonly asked questions by looking at key areas in relation to COVID-19 - spread/transmission, survival of the virus on surfaces, pregnancy and the key steps we can all take to protect ourselves and our loved ones during this pandemic.

I want to say a big thank you to both Laura and Clíodhna for giving up their time outside of the valuable work they are doing to record this episode. Hopefully we will be able to record a Part 2 chat soon! If you tune into this episode please do let us know - tag myself @theirishbalance, Laura @drlauragp and Clíodhna @c_ni_bhuachalla in your Instagram Stories, send us a message, or leave a comment on the Podcast. Don't forget to as always subscribe if you haven't and give the Podcast a bit of love so it reaches more people. Thanks for listening. You can find my blog at https://theirishbalance.com/ .

Episode 36: COVID-19 and Minding Your Mental Health with Joe O'Brien

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 11:45:38 -0300

This episode is all about minding our mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. My guest today is Joe O'Brien - trainee health psychologist, educator, researcher and writer, and creator of the @headfirst0 Instagram page and the Head First podcast. Joe has been a guest on my podcast previously (check those episodes out if you haven't already!), and I'm very grateful to him for giving up some time to come back on to chat about mental well-being in the current situation we find ourselves in.

We discuss the uncertainty we all face, using daily routine to take back a sense of control over our day, maintaining a balance between staying informed and avoiding information overload, and the importance of using technology to maintain social connection while we are being asked to stay far apart. I hope you guys enjoy this episode - if you give it a listen, tag us in your stories, let myself and Joe know what you thought, and thank you for tuning in!

Episode 35: COVID-19 and Nutritional Considerations with Maeve Hanan

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:38:44 -0300

In this week's episode I chat to Maeve Hanan, consultant dietitian and health writer. Maeve is @dieteticallyspeaking on Instagram and @DieteticSpeak on Twitter. She is the creator of the https://dieteticallyspeaking.com/ website - and an all round breath of fresh air to follow on social media. Maeve advocates an evidence-based, no nonsense approach to nutrition and if you're not following her already, get on it!

In this episode we chat about nutritional considerations in the current COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss bringing nutrition back to basics, having structure to your day with regular meals and how to plan those, shopping tips to make your grocery haul last longer, and Maeve also shares some super tips for ingredients to pick up to have handy in your cupboard. We hope you enjoy this episode - do tag us in your Instagram stories if you give this episode a listen, and let us know what you think! Thanks for listening.

Episode 34: The Podcast is Back - Chatting COVID-19, Challenges & Coping

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 16:28:15 -0300

Guys, I am so delighted to be bringing the Podcast BACK to you all! During these uncertain times, I wanted to use The Irish Balance platform to connect with those following, and to bring some COVID-19 related and non-COVID-19 content to you in audio format. The episodes to follow this short re-introduction to the Podcast will be mostly with guests, talking about looking after ourselves during this pandemic, hearing the stories of others, and hopefully making us feel more connected together despite being apart.

This first episode is a little hello and update, a bit of a chat about why there is no right way to feel right now and hopefully just a few minutes of positive ramblings from me. I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to sharing more episodes with you guys over the next few weeks!

Episode 33: Public Health and Nutrition with Jenny Rosborough

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 14:06:02 -0400

Welcome back to the FIRST Podcast episode of 2020! I’m so excited to share this week’s guest with you - UK-based registered nutritionist and head of nutrition at the Jamie Oliver Group, Jenny Rosborough. Jenny’s career background is quite diverse, working as Campaign Manager at Action on Sugar, and in child and family nutrition, designing and delivering evidence-based weight management treatment and prevention programmes for families, and delivering the UK MEND programme training (Mind, exercise, nutrition, do it!) to health, education and social care professionals, nationally and internationally. I’ve been following Jenny on Instagram @hellohealthyyou_ for quite a while now, and absolutely love her perspective on public health nutrition, particularly campaigning for a healthier food environment. We chat about public health nutrition, changes to our food environment over the last few decades, and challenges around regulating our food environment too. If you enjoy this Podcast, as always let myself and Jenny know - get in touch via Instagram or leave a comment on the Podcast here!

Credit: Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 32: GP Life, Pregnancy, Fertility and Menopause with Dr. Laura Lenihan

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:50:15 -0400

Welcome back to a brand NEW episode of The Irish Balance Podcast! I am so excited to share this week's guest - Dr. Laura Lenihan, who is a GP (general practitioner) currently working in Galway, Ireland. Laura runs the page @drlauragp on Instagram and is a breath of fresh air to follow for practical, empowering health information. Laura shares her backstory to becoming a doctor and why she chose to pursue general practice, and we then dive into a number of important topics - pregnancy, fertility, the HPV vaccine and menopause. I really hope you guys enjoy this episode - do let us know what you thought and give Laura a follow on social media! You can find Laura's website at www.drlauragp.com.

Episode 31: Menstrual Health, Sport and Nutrition with Esther Goldsmith and FitrWoman

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 12:59:21 -0300

In this week's episode, I interview Esther Goldsmith, sports scientist with FitrWoman (@FitrWoman). FitrWoman is the world's first app to provide daily training and nutrition advice tailored to menstrual cycle hormone changes. The app aims to helps you track your menstrual cycle and provides personalized training and nutritional suggestions tailored to the changing hormone levels throughout your cycle. Menstrual health doesn’t crop up much in day to day conversation or on social media, but it’s so important that we normalise discussing it, to know what IS normal and what is not. I'm a proud FitrWoman brand champion, and I was very excited to collaborate with the FitrWoman team via Esther to bring you a podcast episode all about periods! Esther has a Masters in Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology, and completed her dissertation on the female athlete. In this episode, we discuss the basics of the menstrual cycle, and dive into how exercise and nutrition affect and can be affected by it. Happy listening!

Episode 30: Choosing Your Career with Angela Burke

Sun, 08 Sep 2019 20:00:00 -0300

In this week's episode, I chat to Angela Burke who is @theintegrativecoach on Instagram. Angela is originally from Galway, and has a background in Commerce as an undergraduate, and in Career Development and Coaching as a postgraduate. She now runs her own career coaching business based in Dublin, with the goal of helping people to live the life they desire, by securing the jobs and ultimately building the career that enables them to do that. We chat about the challenges of career choices at school-leaving, postgraduate and adult level. It was such an insightful conversation and I hope you guys take value from our chat!

Episode 29: Diet Culture and Self-Compassion with Robyn Taaffe

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 13:42:51 -0300

This week on the podcast I am delighted to have registered nurse and evidence-based nutritionist Robyn Taaffe, founder of The Lifestyle Clinic in Dublin, as my guest. Robyn runs the Instagram page @thelifestyle_clinic as well as her busy nurse-led lifestyle medicine clinic in Dublin. She advocates a non-diet approach to food and nutrition in her clinic, as well as placing equal importance on movement and self-care. In this episode we discuss what diet culture is and how we can spot it, relationships with food, weight stigma, and the importance of self-compassion. I absolutely loved recording this episode and I hope you all enjoy it too.

Disclaimer: In this episode, Robyn and I discuss various issues around diets, food relationships and food restriction. If you listen to this episode and identify with any symptoms of concern discussed, it's important to consider seeking in-person consultation and advice from a healthcare professional such as your general practitioner or a registered nutrition professional.

Episode 28: Social Media, Alcohol and Mental Health with Joe O'Brien

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:28:38 -0300

I'm delighted to bring you guys the highly anticipated Part 2 of my mental health podcast episode with Joe O'Brien, mental health researcher working at Spectrum Mental Health and creator of the fantastic @headfirst0 Instagram page and Head First podcast. In this episode, we discuss social media, it's possible effects on our mental health, and the questions we're all wondering - how addictive is it, and what does problematic use of these apps look like? We then move onto discuss alcohol in Ireland, looking at the quantity we consume and the pattern of consumption in this country. We discuss how alcohol can impact our mental health, the importance of being aware of Ireland's low risk weekly guidelines for consumption (i.e. maximum limits we should not exceed!) and the stigma surrounding drinking less and/or abstaining entirely. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! Be sure to tag myself and Joe in your Instagram stories if you listen, and let us know what you think of our chat! And of course, give @headfirst0 a follow on Instagram, you'll be glad you did!

Episode 27: Life Updates, Sedentary Behaviour and Why We Need to Move More and Sit Less

Sun, 21 Jul 2019 14:30:43 -0300

The Podcast is back! I'm excited to be bringing you guys a brand new episode sharing some life updates from me personally and work-related, as well as a little recap on who I am and what my message as a doctor is! The main focus of this episode is sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity, looking at the research on the topic of sitting time and of course, sharing some simple steps to build movement into our day.

Episode 26: Movement for Enjoyment and Redefining Fitness with Nathalie Lennon

Sat, 22 Jun 2019 13:55:10 -0300

This week on the Podcast, the focus is on redefining how we think about fitness and figuring out ways to make sure our movement and exercise is both enjoyable and sustainable. My guest is personal trainer, fitness influencer and nutrition coach Nathalie Lennon (@nathalielennon_ on Instagram), who is also a good friend of mine and an all round positive, inspirational powerhouse of a gal! Nathalie's message is centred around focusing on the mental and physical health benefits exercise can bring us, and ensuring the activity we do is enjoyable and sustainable. We also discuss in our chat a little bit about the importance of avoiding comparisons with others on social media, as well as tips to help you overcome fitness challenges such as a lack of time, money for gym membership, and feeling under-confident or motivated to give something new a go. I hope you enjoy this week's episode! This is the last on my series for a little while - I'll be back with more episodes over the summer soon, but I'm taking a short break from recording to move my life to the West of Ireland and start a new job - exciting! Thank you for tuning in each week and I can't wait to bring you more soon!

Episode 25: Yoga for You with Ruth Delahunty

Sat, 15 Jun 2019 16:55:14 -0300

This week on the Podcast we are chatting about YOGA! I've been practising yoga for over a year now and have had many questions from you guys about how and why I got started. I've brought the topic to the Podcast to hopefully help you guys give yoga a try whether at home, in a class or both, and also to bust some common myths and confusion about yoga (spoiler alert - it's not possible to be 'bad' at yoga!). This week's guest is yoga teacher Ruth Delahunty, who is also a graphic designer, mom of three and creator of Yogaru (@yogaru_ireland). Yogaru is centred around Ruth's 108 Asana Yoga Sequencing Cards, which aim to help simplify and de-mystify yoga, and bring us all the 'feel good' factor from our practice whether beginner, intermediate or advanced. I hope you guys enjoy this episode, and feel inspired to give yoga a try yourselves after listening! As always, let us know if you listen - find me @theirishbalance on Instagram and Ruth @yogaru_ireland.

Episode 24: Focusing on Food for Life with Fiona Staunton

Sun, 02 Jun 2019 13:34:49 -0300

In this week's episode of the podcast I'm chatting to Fiona Staunton, Ballymaloe-trained chef, Home Economics teacher and creator of Fiona's Food for Life (@fionasfoodforlife). I met Fiona earlier this year and was delighted to attend one of her fantastic cookery demonstrations a few weeks back. I've brought her on the podcast to share her ethos with you guys - 'Cook, Eat, Nourish' - all about showing us how to make cooking healthy, tasty and nourishing meals and snacks in a simplified and more accessible way, with a bit of fun in there too! Let us know if you tune in and enjoy the episode (tag Fiona and myself @theirishbalance, or drop a comment), and if you haven't already, subscribe and leave a rating on iTunes so I can bring the Podcast to more and more people! Happy listening!

Episode 23: Realistic Self Care with The Reset

Sun, 26 May 2019 13:25:08 -0300

In this week's episode, I chat all things realistic self-care with Vicky (@theflourishingpantry) and Lauren (@the_nutritionist_foodie), friends of mine, female entrepreneurs and co-founders of The Reset Retreats. We chat about why the girls started their retreats business, and then dive into why self-care is more than a buzzword, and why it's so important to find simple accessible ways to integrate self-care strategies into our daily busy lives. This is one of my favourite podcast episodes on my series to date, and I know you guys will take a lot of value from it. We even bust self-care myths! Do let us know if you tune in, and definitely check out The Reset Retreats if you're interested (@thereset_me).

Episode 22: The Blue Zones - Adding Life To Your Years, and Years To Your Life

Sun, 19 May 2019 13:03:27 -0300

In this episode, I take a deep dive into the Blue Zones - longevity hotspots around the world where populations live the longest, healthiest lives. I discuss the 5 cornerstones of their lifestyles that have been identified to contribute towards their health - natural movement, nourishment, connection, reflection and purpose.

Episode 21: Debunking Diet Myths with Maeve Hanan (Part 2)

Sun, 05 May 2019 13:10:27 -0300

I am delighted to bring you guys a Part 2 of my interview with UK-registered dietitian from Ireland Maeve Hanan (@dieteticallyspeaking on Instagram - give this girl a follow!), who runs the blog www.dieteticallyspeaking.com and is a wonderful voice of reason in person and online on all things food and nutrition. Maeve advocates a no-nonsense, healthy and sustainable approach to how we eat and this is clear from the balanced, evidence-based content she shares. In this second episode, we dive straight into some of the most common diet 'fads' and myths making the rounds over the last year, which Maeve has also researched and written about on her blog. I know you guys will take such value from this episode - it's full of common sense, accessible science and bit of a giggle in there too. I'm very grateful to Maeve for sharing her time, knowledge and experience with us. As always, if you tune in, get in touch, and let us know what you thought!

Episode 20: A 'No Nonsense' Approach to Nutrition with Maeve Hanan (Part 1)

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 14:58:19 -0300

I am VERY excited to bring my podcast spotlight onto Nutrition, as a Part 1 of 2! My guest this week is UK-registered dietitian from Ireland (and friend of mine!) Maeve Hanan who runs the blog www.dieteticallyspeaking.com and is @dieteticallyspeaking on Instagram. Maeve advocates a no-nonsense approach to nutrition and this is clear from the balanced, evidence-based content she shares. In this episode, we take a close look at the basics around carbohydrates and fats, dive into some myth-busting about dairy, and focus on the recent trend towards 'plant-based' diets in the wider conversation about climate change. I know you guys are going to love this episode and learnt a huge amount from it, and I'm very grateful to Maeve for sharing her time, knowledge and experience with us.

Episode 19: Mental Health Matters with Joe O'Brien

Sun, 21 Apr 2019 13:08:22 -0300

This week's episode is focused on an area that doesn't get enough attention - mental health. I'm really excited to bring you guys the second interview on my Podcast - this week I'm chatting to Joe O'Brien, creator of the fantastic Instagram page and Podcast Head First (@headfirst0). Joe has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in Health Psychology, and his message and content is centred around raising awareness about mental health and reducing stigma around the topic, all through evidence-based content. We chat about so many things in this episode - positive mental health, stress, anxiety, mindfulness, meditation, and most importantly, why it's essential to normalise seeking help from a mental health professional if we are struggling. If you enjoy this episode and want to get in touch, leave a comment, send a message via social media or email to myself and Joe, we'd love to hear your feedback!

Disclaimer: This Podcast discusses mental health in a broad sense, but also discusses some symptoms and signs people may identify with that may indicate a mental health condition. As Joe and I say in our conversation, if you identify with any of these symptoms or signs, please seek in-person help from a mental health professional.

Episode 18: Social Media Myths, Ditching Dr. Google and Making Time for Clinical Contact

Sun, 14 Apr 2019 15:04:01 -0300

In this week's episode, I chat about the potential negative effects from unregulated health information online, how media myths confuse us and can lead to real world health harms, and why we need to trust and seek evidence-based information from qualified healthcare professionals in person - not Dr. Google!

Episode 17: Addressing the Forgotten Health Behaviours - Alcohol Moderation and Smoking Cessation

Sun, 07 Apr 2019 15:04:55 -0300

In this week's episode, I chat about two really important health topics - alcohol intake in Ireland and the goal for a tobacco-free society. These lifestyle factors get less attention compared to diet and physical activity on social media but they are just as essential to address.

Episode 16: From Student to Physician - My Path as a Doctor and Pursuing Public Health

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 15:31:17 -0300

In this episode, I chat through a much requested topic - my path from medical school to hospital training as a doctor, and the challenges I faced along the way. I also share some VERY exciting news about a recent development in my medical career - the beginning of my path to become a public health specialist!

Episode 15: Doctors and Dietary Advice - Balancing the Basics, Busting the Myths, Questioning the Context and Cultivating Collaboration

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 15:30:25 -0300

In this episode, I discuss the 4 key things I think as doctors we should know about nutrition for our patients. I chat about the 'doctors giving dietary advice' debate and explore why we need to move past the debate to focus on doing our best for our patients, clearing up dietary confusion and collaborating with nutrition and dietetic professionals.

Episode 14: Healthy Ageing - Living Well From Young to Old

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:30:19 -0300

In this week's episode, I discuss the concept of Healthy Ageing, a major focus of healthcare in Ireland (and globally!) given our ageing population and implications this has for healthcare services and society. I discuss simple healthy lifestyle tips for boosting our brain health and the importance of raising awareness around dementia prevention and management.

Episode 13: Self Talk, Mindfulness and Gratitude

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 16:03:17 -0300

In this episode, I discuss three game changers from the last year of my life - the power of self talk, mindfulness and gratitude. I chat about why we need to tune into our inner voice, talk to ourselves like we would our best friend, and remember to be grateful for the little things in life.

Episode 12: Integrative Health, the Blue Zones and the Invisible Lift with Dr. Ceppie Merry

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 03:09:01 -0400

In this week's episode, I bring you the first interview on The Irish Balance Podcast! My friend and fellow doctor Ceppie Merry joins me to chat all things health, wellness, her recent fellowship in Integrative Medicine and, of course, we chat about The Blue Zones, and finding your why!

Episode 11: Working Around the Shift Work Clock - Healthy Habits for Day & Night

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 15:01:45 -0400

The long awaited Shift Work episode is here! As many of you will know, I am currently doing a full time Public Health & Nutrition Masters, and my thesis topic is shift work and its effect on health. In this episode, I share my own experience in shift work as a medical doctor, and of course, bring you the healthy lifestyle tips from my research in this area to date! I hope those of you involved in shift work (or your family/friends!) find it helpful!

Episode 10: Motivation, Mindset and Finding Your Why

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 14:07:58 -0400

In this week's episode, I share my thoughts on a frequently asked question - Where do you find motivation? I discuss where my motivation for my career and my healthy lifestyle habits comes from, as well as the concept of Ikigai and finding your 'why' in life!

Episode 9: Exercise - Building Strength for a Healthy Life

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 13:41:34 -0400

In this week's episode, I discuss the importance of exercise as part of our lifestyles! I dive into the topic of resistance training and why it's so essential for Healthy Ageing in body and mind. I also share some simple tips to get you started with your strength journey!

Episode 8: Why We Shouldn't Skip The Snooze: My Top Sleep Secrets to Take Back Your Bedtime

Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:47:11 -0400

In this week's episode, I dive into the importance of Sleep! Why quality and quantity of Sleep are equally important for our physical, mental and emotional health, and what the recommended sleep hours are. I share the simple tips I follow to get a good night's sleep too. I hope you guys enjoy this week's episode and find it helpful to better your bedtime!

Episode 7: Sorting Out Your Stress - Building a Stress Management Toolkit

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 15:29:43 -0400

In this episode, I'm sharing my journey to better stress management, using the various techniques I've built up over the past year in particular. I chat about mindfulness, meditation, exercise, breathing exercises and many other options you can try out for yourself to build your personal stress-busting toolkit! As always, I hope this episode helps you, and I would love to hear your feedback!

Episode 6: Social Media & Smartphones: Top Tips to De-Digital Your Life

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 14:22:10 -0400

In this episode, I discuss our relationship with our smartphones and social media. It's definitely something I'm trying to monitor myself and not overdo it with screen time! I've also shared the tips I've found super helpful to reduce my screen time over the past 6 months. I hope you find them useful too!

Bonus Episode: Public Health & Why Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 15:30:32 -0400

In this episode, I'm sharing a reflection on the first Semester of my Masters in Public Health and Nutrition at University College Dublin! I'm absolutely loving the course and have learnt so much already. I discuss what public health is, why it's so important and the three key things I've taken from my first Semester! Roll on Semester 2!

Episode 5: Sustainable Eating - Optimising What We Eat Today for Human & Environmental Health - And Future Generations

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:07:58 -0400

In this week's episode, I'm discussing the important topic of Sustainable Eating! What is it? Why is it such a hot topic? Why is it important for us all to be aware of? With so much discussion in the media around the environmental impact of animal protein, #Veganuary and far too many Netflix documentaries scaring everyone (!) I'm bringing the focus to one we can all relate to - our health and that of the environment.

Episode 4: Finding a Balance in 2019 - My Top 4 Tips for Keeping Healthy Habits On Track

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:51:35 -0400

To me, balance is a journey we're all on. It's pretty tricky to say we live balanced lives 24/7! I called my blog The Irish Balance partly to share my journey to balance with you guys. In this episode, I talk about what balance means to me, and share my top 4 tips for keeping my healthy habits on track - even when 'life happens!'

Episde 3: Goal Setting for 2019 - Are You Being SMART About it?

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 16:44:52 -0400

In this week's episode, I'm going to discuss the SMART technique for goal-setting. It's my favourite way to define my goals in all areas of life - nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep hygiene, it's applicable to them all! Tune in to set goals smartly & make your New Year's Resolutions for 2019 a sustainable part of your life.

Episode 2: 9 Ideas For New Year's Resolutions for 2019 - A Focus on Simplicity & Sustainability

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 12:54:23 -0400

Have YOU set your New Year's Resolutions? The first full episode of my Podcast series focuses on simple and sustainable ideas for healthy lifestyle changes you can take on for 2019!

Episode 1: The Irish Balance - An Introduction

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 07:38:07 -0400

Welcome to The Irish Balance Podcast - a series by me, Dr. Ciara Kelly, a medical doctor with a special interest in public health, preventive medicine and health promotion. This introduction tells you about who I am, my passion and message as a doctor to you all, and what you can expect from this new Podcast in 2019.