Stick with the programme and Kathyrn insists the... ONLY WAY IS OP!
Surgery and quick-fix drugs like Ozempic are touted as the answer but the host of RTÉ’s flagship show says OT is all about real health
The show is on the road and RTÉ’S winter wellness series Operation Transformation is ‘back with an almighty bang’, says presenter Kathryn Thomas.
‘We are filming down in Kilbeggan in Westmeath — that’s our headquarters this year — we always take the Operation Transformation show on the road,’ she says.
Despite accusations of bodyshaming and exploitation for entertainment masquerading as a crusade to get an overweight nation into a healthy shape, Operation Transformation has not only survived but thrived with viewing figures topping 380,000.
Kathryn, who has fronted Operation Transformation for the past 13 years, believes the series has undergone its own metamorphosis, a fact that has been a key to its longevity.
‘I am 14 years this year doing this show,’ she says. ‘When I heard myself say that the other day I was like “what?”. There have been so many changes to the show. It’s a completely different show to when I started. I’m doing it 14 years but the show has been on 17 years because Gerry Ryan was doing it for three years before me.’
Back in the day Operation Transformation was mostly focused on weight loss, and its format was loosely based on the American show The Biggest Loser, in which contestants competed to lose the most weight each week as they stuck to a rigorous diet and bootcamp style fitness regimes.
Today, Operation Transformation is more health orientated and its format is all about educating people about a healthy lifestyle, where the balance between diet and exercise as well as personal fulfilment, are explained, debated, and holistically weighed and measured each week.
The emphasis is very much on inspiration rather than scolding. ‘My role,’ says Kathryn, ‘and I’ve always viewed it that way, is purely support. Our leaders have put themselves out there and need our support. They are vulnerable. People are — for whatever reasons — coming to us for help and for some it’s the last chance saloon. And they take an awful lot on board,’ she tells Magazine.
‘The show has evolved and we have proved that year on year.’
She refutes the notion that Operation Transformation has any truck with body shaming, or ‘triggering’ dangerous dietary behaviour. ‘We have proved that is categorically not the case and has never been the case with Operation Transformation. Our focus is on improving people’s health and their confidence in themselves.
‘What we broadcast is only a fraction of what actually goes on in terms of the support and assistance and phone calls over the course of the eight weeks. It’s the most supportive, inclusive space.
‘And that’s why people continue to watch it and that’s why people apply. We’re not making anyone stand there.
They stand there because they want to be there and they know the benefits and they can see year on year the benefits. That’s why the show has been on for 17 years and people still watch and benefit from it.’
Kathryn points to the reality show’s viewing figures as testament to its popularity.
‘Look at the figures. It’s unusual or unheard of to be averaging 29 or 30 per cent last year for a show that’s been running that length of time,’ she says.
And she says each year sees a substantial increase in people putting themselves forward to be an Operation Transformation leader.
‘We get more and more applicants every year. I think we had over a thousand this year. It’s a massive commitment. I don’t think people really realise how much of an undertaking it is. Being a leader on the show is not for everybody; it’s a massive undertaking. You’re literally putting yourself out there in the public eye. You’ve to stick with the programme.
‘It impacts your family life, it impacts your job. And I think when some people understand the full extent of it they realise it’s not for them. Then when you realise you are going to have a camera in your house for 24 hours a day, that’s when they really see the big picture.’
The five leaders this year are Michelle Rogan, Darragh Fitzgerald, Anne Cushen, Noel O’Connell and Edel O’Malley.
Meath-based Michelle (36), is a mum to Layla (11), Danny (10) and one-yearold Sam. Her sister Elizabeth passed away from sudden cardiac arrest, which led Michelle to worry about her longterm health. While she was previously a gym goer and was quite fit, she doesn’t seem to have the time for exercise since baby Sam was born last year.
Hoping the series will improve her fitness, Michelle said: ‘What I would
What we broadcast is only a fraction of what goes on... it’s the most supportive, inclusive space
The dogs need to be walked and the kids need fresh air. For me it’s getting out and about
like most from Operation Transformation is to find myself again and not just be Mammy, become fit, healthy and learn to live a balanced lifestyle. I want to show other women in my position that we are worthy of an hour a day to ourselves.’
Darragh Fitzgerald (37) is a rugby coach who lives with his wife-to-be, Yvonne, and their two young children, Rían (8) and Róisín (2) in Limerick. Darragh played rugby from a young age but now spends his spare time coaching underage and adult teams with St Mary’s. He survived a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, called Burkitts, when he was just 16. Darragh had a tumour removed from his bowel and had to undergo intense chemotherapy before he got the all-clear.
Two years ago he had another health scare when he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and spent some time in hospital.
Darragh says he wants to find a better work-life balance, as his long work days result in a mainly sedentary lifestyle.
Edel O’Malley (36), is a mum of one and lives with her fiancé Marcin and their one-year-old son Daniel in Castlebar. She works in HR at Ashford Castle in Cong.
But juggling her busy work life with her family life has left little time for exercise, although she is determined to complete the 5km run in the Phoenix Park.
Wexford mother-of-two Anne Cushen (55) lives with her husband Tom, son Seán and daughter Breda. Anne suffers from osteoarthritis and has had two hip replacements, most recently in August last year.
Dancing enthusiast Anne found her recovery a bit slow so she is hoping Operation Transformation will help her get her mobility back and not feel ’trapped’ in her stiff body. ‘I hope to gain a freedom that will let me live life to the full in the future with osteoarthritis. I just want to feel normal,’ she says.
Noel O’Connell (56) is an avid kayaker and owns a bathroom showroom and fitting service in his native Kildare, where he lives with his wife Katrina and their four sons aged from 24 to 10.
He was so fit he competed for Ireland at kayaking but he is concerned about his health following a diagnosis of high blood pressure, type 2 He wants to change his lifestyle and Operation Transformation is a ‘fantastic opportunity’to do that.
Presenter Kathryn is a fierce advocate of nature’s way to a healthier lifestyle, and voices her own concern at the number of people opting to try fashionable new weight loss drugs like Ozempic or travelling abroad for what can be dangerous, or in some cases fatal, weightloss surgery. ‘Certainly I know from people who have applied for the show — as in who have filled out the application form — have definitely been on it. That is one of the questions we ask, “have you tried any weight loss supplements or drugs?” And as far as I know there has been a lot of people saying yes to that one this year. The jury is still out for Ozempic. I think it’s too early to really see the science of the long-term effects behind it.’
Kathryn is uncertain, too, about surgery for weight loss that hasn’t been totally endorsed by medical professionals treating patients for obesity. ‘It’s not for me to persuade or condemn anyone but I think it’s really sad that people feel that’s the route that they have to go. That they risk taking their life in their hands.
‘There are, of course, successful surgeries in places like Turkey but things can go wrong and they have gone wrong. And when you’re talking about surgery you need professionals, you need to have a huge amount of research, and you need people who are qualified. What I can’t believe is the lack of regulation in some places — it’s shocking. It’s frightening really.’
The popular presenter has swapped wild nights on the town for family time with husband Padraig McLoughlin and their daughters Ellie (5) and Grace (2). Getting out and about is her approach to fitness. ‘I’ve two kids and two dogs,’ she says. ‘So the dogs need to be walked and the kids need fresh air. I love Pilates so I’ll do a few Pilates classes. But for me it’s really is all just about getting out and about.’