I’ve figured out how Brian Cowen is going to sort out this economic mess. Exercise. It’s proven to relieve stress and help participants maintain focus and lets face it the government could do with some focus at the moment. With an emergency or supplementary budget due on April 7 I propose that Brian and Ireland’s 166 TDs start pounding the streets of Dublin in search of some inspiration.
In fact it wouldn’t be a bad idea to replace the Dáil bar with a Dáil gym, and I’m sure sporting professionals would love a go at getting Cowen and co in ship shape.
Having listened to some expert motivational speakers this week I now realise that money spent on exercise should be non-negotiable and doesn’t have to over-stretch the purse strings.
I attended a get fit, think positive, and beat the recession motivational seminar organised by fitnessjunkie.ie publisher and journalist Joan Geraghty on Wednesday and I came away empowered by the knowledge that fitness and a healthy lifestyle are the keys to life’s successes. Scoff you might, but studies have actually shown that people who exercise regularly are more successful in their careers than your average couch potato.
Take the example of one of the world’s most powerful men — Barack Obama. Obama spends 45 minutes per day in the gym, six days per week, and he says this is one of the best stress busting exercises one can undertake.
Personal trainer and life coach Paul O’Brien would certainly agree. His personal story of how sport shaped his personal and career development is inspirational.
Paul’s life took him in different directions, but he lacked a sense of purpose, gained weight, dipped in and out of sport and entered a mild state of depression.
That was until a friend asked him to take his place in the London Marathon in 1999. Having completed a few weeks of training for the event Paul realised what had been missing from his life. He had a “eureka” moment one night on a bus and realised the energy that was rushing through his veins could benefit him also in his professional life. He started a new job and within a couple of years was the youngest managing director within the company. Having achieved successes in business far beyond his wildest dreams Paul trained as a personal trainer and life coach and moved to Westport on his own terms where his enthusiasm about the benefits of exercise is now being adopted by others.
The main point to take from Paul’s experience is that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Joan Geraghty began training three years ago and is now a self confessed fitness junkie. Joan’s book Anyone Can Run is an inspirational read with contributions from Ray D’Arcy and Mary Kennedy as well as local sports enthusiasts.
The resounding message from Paul O’Brien’s contribution to Joan’s seminar in the Mill Times Hotel was that exercise helps you rise above the pressures of life and gives you strength of body and mind so that you can realise your life and career goals. If you ever thought of taking up running, a sport which costs practically nothing bar the clothing that goes with it, Joan’s book is a must read with guidelines of how to run 5km in six weeks and 10km in 12 weeks. According to Joan running proved beneficial to her and to everyone around her because of the happy state of mine it left her in.
This philosophy has worked for Barack Obama too. Maybe someone should let Brian Cowen in on the secret!
Toni Bourke Editor [email protected]
