Dr Eddie Murphy The Operation Transformation finale
The two big events, the 5k and the grand final show of Operation Transformation are over, but I am still on a high
5k Run in Phoenix Park
5,000 men, women, children and dogs turned up for the 5k run and walk. This is such a wonderful event as the leaders get the opportunity to meet so many well wishers, who thank them for their inspiration. Each leader had a support runner: Karl was with Paul, I was with Pam, Kathryn was with Siobhán, Aoife and Dr Sumi were with Cathal. All crossed the line safely. Myself and Pam rocked in at 34 minutes. A brilliant result for a woman who just eight weeks ago was a heavy smoker and never ran. Inspiring. As we ran, we met people who said things like: “Pam, you made me give up the fags, and I am still off them.” “Pam you inspired me and I have lost 1stone 2lbs.”
Of course, Jean didn’t run but she was there to start us all off and she was there at the end to cheer us all in. We shouldn’t underestimate the health impact of Operation Transformation to nudge people towards healthier and happier lives. Two great examples were former leaders David Cryan and Noeleen Lynam, who showed up at the 5k looking only gorgeous.
At the end of the run, the leaders are whisked away to be groomed, waxed, styled and appropriately fussed over. The next time their families see them is the following night in the RTÉ studios, where the leaders strut their stuff, buoyed up with new insights and soaring confidence, all tinged with some nerves.
The grand finale
All the leaders and experts are in RTÉ TV studios for the final show. Everyone is buzzing, but there is time for some final quiet words with the leaders before the big finale. Just as we have touched the leaders’ lives, the leaders have touched ours. It’s about the power of connection and relationships. We are at our best when we support each other to get to a goal.
The leaders looked brilliant, and the experts scrubbed up well too. See some of my behind the scenes photos and videos on my Facebook page.
Pamela
Pamela shone in her blue sparkly dress that reflected her lively personality. She has a wonderfully infectious laugh that can be heard a mile away. She is a treasure, and has a heart as big as Youghal and a life and family that are filled with love, fun and a little healthy chaos.
Siobhán
Siobhán looked sexy and sophisticated in an incredible black dress. She showed her determination right through the process and never failed to meet her weight target. Her leadership capabilities shone and Siobhan inspired herself, her school and community and had a ripple effect that inspired thousands of others.
Paul
Paul had a cool outfit – smart casual and funky. I wish I had an eye like that or if someone could dress me! For Paul, his OT journey was from a place where his priorities were all about work, to one where with his wife Sonya and their children became central to his work-life balance. Paul was the biggest challenge for me, as he put everyone else’s needs first. It’s great to see how much fun there is in Paul’s life now and I would encourage him to maintain that fun.
Cathal
Cathal rocked. His flat cap was so cool, that I immediately wanted one. He lost over 3stone 10lbs, but Cathal knows that his health journey is ongoing and we hope he will continue to be a great ambassador for the sort of life changes OT shows are possible. Cathal discovered that his weight gain was connected to traumatic events when he was just 18, that he had never properly dealt with. Subsequent stress triggered him to self-soothe, using food and alcohol.
Jean
What can I say? The best story of OT. We lost a leader for the best reasons. We wish her all the best with her pregnancy. Despite the adversity Jean experienced she was an example of positivity and hope for so many people who have experienced profound loss. I hope her example will help people to liberate themselves from pain and that they come to understand that loss is one chapter but not the whole story of their lives. Hope is the greatest gift, one we all need in our lives.
By the way, all the leaders hit and exceeded their weight-loss targets, shedding more than 10% of their combined body weight in eight weeks. An amazing result.