I was once asked if I ever feel nervous giving talks, and the surprising answer is no. Over the past 25 years, I’ve been privileged to speak to a wide variety of groups across the island of Ireland. In the early days, my focus was on schools. As a former teacher, I believed that psychology could positively influence school culture – and even the curriculum itself. We could teach children how to be happy as well as how to master grammar. We could give them tools for resilience alongside the basics of arithmetic. We could help them understand the value of their health above all else. I also wanted to help teachers manage the increasing stress levels in their jobs.

It’s hard to fathom now, but I visited hundreds of schools with the intention of empowering staff, students, and parents – certainly more than 500. Back then, I was something of a lone soldier, and perhaps doing more than I should have been.

Then the invitations began to come from hospitals and healthcare professionals working within them and in the wider community – thousands of wonderful people doing powerful work for others, often at the risk of burning themselves out. I was welcomed everywhere: from Belfast to Bantry, from Limerick to Dundalk, from Pomeroy to Newcastle, from Antrim to Letterkenny – and beyond. Universities followed, and then the corporate world opened its doors.

It has always been an honour – one I have never taken for granted – to be asked to share ideas that might contribute to a better quality of life. Nervousness never got in the way, because my hope has always been that something I say, or how I say it, might help someone. It’s lovely to be paid for doing what you love, but if I ever felt it was a pointless exercise, I’d walk off the stage in an instant.

This September, I’ll be back on stage. I also have a new book in the pipeline. I’m more excited than nervous – if I’m honest, the only nerves are around selling the tickets. I hope you won’t leave me in the lurch!

The Hawks Well Theatre is a special venue in the heart of my adopted home, Sligo, where I’ve performed three times before. The Iontas Theatre in Castleblayney is equally special, located in my native county, and I’ve also had the pleasure of performing there on three occasions.

Tickets are now on sale for my brand-new show, Wake Up! You’re Here! Life can teach us lessons we never set out to learn, but wisdom is often shaped through lived experience. This show will focus on the most important areas we can work on to create a more purposeful, fulfilling, and healthy life. It’s a blend of lived wisdom, psychology, poetry, and humour.

Have you got your ticket yet?

Tickets for the Hawk’s Well, Sligo on September 10th 8pm on sale now.

Adm €25 plus €1 donation to renovation fund.

Click here to purchase your ticket

Tickets for the Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney on September 5th at 8pm are now on sale at  €25 here

Click here to purchase your ticket