Noel among Operation Transformation hopefuls
KILCOOLE man Noel Golden is one of 19 hopefuls aiming to become one of this year’s Operation Transformation leaders.
The aspiring leaders from all over the country gathered together for the first time in Sport Ireland National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown on Monday to be physically and emotionally assessed for the RTE show.
Recruitment manager Noel (58) is 19 stone, 6.5 pounds. He lives with his wife Hannah (46) and son Sam (23) who just finished studying Business and Management at DIT. Eldest daughter Jessica (27) is a psychologist and living in Glasgow.
Noel needs to be up at 5 a.m. and on the road by 6 a.m. so he can beat the traffic to work. This means he usually skips breakfast or has it later in the office. Noel used to go to the gym for an hour before work but, when his start times changed, the gym fell by the wayside. He loves cycling but the roads around Wicklow are too dangerous, in his opinion.
Noel’s given up on many past weight loss attempts when he hasn’t seen the results and feels he hasn’t found anything so far that will give him long term benefits. Noel hopes Operation Transformation could be the answer.
‘I would be committed to the role (of leader) and would like to think that I could inspire others to take part and get healthy,’ said Noel.
‘I like to lead by example, I believe I am a hard worker and like to think I lead from the front. I am determined and have been told that once I put my mind to something I border on being stubborn until the end. I think I have a good sense of humour and I believe that makes people comfortable in my company. I give respect to others and expect the same in return. I believe that I am confident and driven and I will work hard and I hope that others will see that and follow.’
He said he would like to get back to cycling but feels too heavy and unfit at present. Noel said there is great excitement in their house, with the hardest bit waiting to see if he will be a leader or not. ‘My wife Hannah is doing what she does best, supporting me to the end and being there for me at every turn.’