Have you ever found yourself trapped in the relentless pursuit of societal expectations, only to discover that it leads to a life misaligned with your true self? Our guest, author, speaker, and health and wellness coach, Sinead Kennedy, knows this all too well.

Join us as Sinead shares her transformative story: her struggle with mental health, which culminated in a stay at a psychiatric hospital —a pivotal moment in her journey toward self-acceptance. Sinead unpacks how she redefined her life by setting boundaries, conducting life audits, and embracing her authentic self. She reflects on the consequences of an unhappy relationship with yourself and explores how you can rediscover happiness through boundary-setting, self-kindness and connecting with nature. Get ready to reclaim your true self!

Key points throughout include:

• Struggling with misalignment: A journey of disconnection and rediscovery
• Breaking free from societal expectations and finding happiness through self-acceptance
• The rising addiction of synthetic highs
• Life Audits: Finding answers through honest self-reflection
• The importance of being kind to your thoughts
• Discovering happiness and soul alignment through flying solo and travelling
• Setting boundaries and learning to say 'no' without guilt
• A reminder that your best friend is YOU!

"Happiness doesn't come from having a Mercedes. Happiness comes from being able to get up every morning. Being proud of what you're doing, knowing that what you're doing is making a difference to yourself and somebody else. And being able to look at yourself in the mirror every day and say, you're doing great, you've got this." – Sinead Kennedy.

Get connected with Sinead Kennedy:

https://sineadekennedy.com/

https://sineadekennedy.com/product/lifeisacycle/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sinead-kennedy-48451885/

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward

Get ready to discover the magic that happens when you trade relentless ambition for intuitive joy. This week, Finola sits down with Clare McKenna, radio presenter, podcaster, and integrative health coach, who shares her transformative journey from marketing boardrooms to broadcasting and creating a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Clare reveals how she has navigated the challenges of her career, found contentment, and is now empowering others to do the same.

Clare also addresses societal body standards and the often toxic diet and fitness culture. She candidly discusses her own struggles and revelations, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices and emotional nourishment.

Don't miss out on Clare's empowering advice and practical tips for cultivating a healthier relationship with food, fitness, and self-compassion. Tune in now to discover how small guiding lights can lead you to a fulfilling and evolving life.

Key points throughout include:

• Finding Independence: Embracing solitude and shaping one's identity
• Self-discovery check in's: The importance of navigating what you truly want
• Celebrating achievements, shifting energies and the goal of contentment - Empowering wellness and moving beyond one-size-fits-all health advice
• The importance of educating yourself about diet changes
• The psychology of motivation and the power of small steps
• Trusting intentions and messages to grow naturally
• Irish women's self-esteem and challenging societal norms for women to 'stay small'
• Becoming a part of change: How everyone can make a difference

"I want to empower people. Everybody is different. And we don't often get that from the health message; we get a kind of blanket that is one size fits all: eat less, move more, and get on with it. And that's not the reality." – Clare McKenna.

Resources:

LISTEN back to Clare's Interview with Finola Howard discussing her book – WHAT IF? – here https://www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/466822

Get connected with Clare McKenna:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claretmckenna

https://www.nourishyourself.ie/

TUNE IN to Alive & Kicking every Sunday from 8 AM - 9 AM on Newstalk.

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward

Fashion industry powerhouse and recently crowned VIP Favourite Irish Designer 2024, Sonya Lennon, joins Finola this week to discuss the power of self-representation, amplifying your voice, and owning your identity. Sonya peels back the layers of her fascinating career, from her days of high-fashion styling to becoming an adored television presenter and visionary social entrepreneur. She openly shares her experience of making bold moves, revealing the courageous choices that skyrocketed her career, emphasises the necessity of female empowerment, and addresses pressing societal challenges.

Together, Sonya and Finola explore the self-imposed barriers holding us back and the importance of reshaping our narratives to achieve personal and collective transformation. Sonya also discusses the imperative for human-centric leadership, as epitomised by Lift Ireland's initiative that has already touched the lives of 100,000 individuals. Additionally, she delves into the richness of language and the impact of storytelling on culture, advocating for the integration of feminine energy and respect for the Earth to restore much-needed balance. This episode, centred on fashion, empowerment, and social responsibility, is bound to inspire and light a fire in your heart, so go ahead and hit play now. Key points throughout include:

• Taking a leap: Embracing change to discover new opportunities
• Breaking free from assumptions and letting go of self-imposed limits
• Shaping our reality through mindful narratives
• The balance between data and creativity
• Leveraging influence for good: Making a meaningful impact
• Empowering women: Finding our voice and recognising our brilliance
• Harnessing female leadership for societal and environmental change
• The positive impact of Lift Ireland on leadership and values
• The juggle of parenthood: Balancing busy lives and building respectful relationships
• The importance of inclusivity and representation in creating meaningful change
• Re-writing narratives: A challenge to uncover and transform your subconscious stories

"Male power isn't working. It's just not working. If we want to save our societies and our planet, we need to get the women around the table with the men working together to create new solutions." – Sonya Lennon.

Resources:

https://www.lennoncourtney.com/

https://liftireland.ie/

https://workequal.ie/

Cassandra Speaks by Elizabeth Lesser

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cassandra-Speaks-Women-Storytellers-Changes/dp/

Get connected with Sonya Lennon:

https://sonyalennon.com/

Get connected with host Finola Howard:

https://www.finolahoward.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/finolahoward/

https://www.instagram.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.facebook.com/thisisfinolahoward

https://www.youtube.com/c/howgreatmarketingworks

https://www.twitter.com/FinolaHoward

This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com