Positive Psychology session
Host: Paula McLoughlin
Niall “Bressie” Breslin (A Lust for Life Co-Founder), Jack Reynor (Actor), Dr. Malie Coyne (Clinical Psychologist), Gerry Hussey (Sports Psychologist)
What does it mean to be sound in a world that often amplifies negativity? The truth is that most people in the world are sound. As human beings we have the capacity to tap into this innate soundness and make the world around us a happier place. Unfortunately our media and cultural conditioning tends towards a negative bias. We want to focus on the science of happiness and being sound . We will explore how we can integrate some really simple practical tools into our daily life to make ourselves and those around us happier through evidence based research and positive psychology. This experiential session explores self-compassion, gratitude, mindful moments, transforming toxic environments and non-judgement.
Originally from Dublin, Paula lived in London for 20 years – initially working in financial management with Marks & Spencer plc., and then as a Senior Executive/Partner with Accenture plc. where she worked all over the world to lead large teams and global transformation programmes. Paula was then COO of The Work Foundation, a 100 year-old UK ‘think tank’ where she was instrumental in orchestrating its sale to Lancaster University. As an independent consultant, Paula has worked with many clients including Clarks, Mind Gym, the Aura Holohan Group and Virgin Atlantic Ltd. In recent years Paula has fulfilled a promise to herself to spend more of her time using her long business background to influence and support causes that she feels passionate about. She was previously an Ambassadors for Tomorrows People, a UK charity which supports young and marginalised people to get and keep a job – and was also Trustee/Director and Chair of HR sub-committee of Just for Kids Law, a UK charity which provides support, advice and representation to children in difficulty. Based on a deeply held belief that we can and must do a better job of looking after the wellness of humanity and ourselves, A Lust for Life now holds a very special place in Paula’s heart.
Niall is a retired professional rugby and inter county football player, a multi-platinum selling song writer and music producer, public speaker and documentary maker who comes from the midlands town of Mullingar in Co. Westmeath. He is a former coach on The Voice of Ireland TV show and an active and extremely passionate mental health campaigner. His recent book “Me and my mate Jeffrey” which he wrote about his journey with his mental health illness became a bestseller and he is currently filming a number of documentaries regarding the subject of mental health and emotional wellness in Ireland.
Jack Reynor was born in Colorado. He moved to Humphrystown, In early 2010 Jack was cast in Kirsten Sheridan’s Dollhouse (2012) which debuted at Berlinale 2012. In late 2011 he played the title role in Lenny Abrahamson’s highly acclaimed What Richard Did (2012) where he caught the eye of audiences and Hollywood alike, including director Michael Bay, who cast him alongside Mark Wahlberg in Transformers: Age of Extinction(2014). For playing the eccentric older brother to the main character in Sing Street(2016), Jack was nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2016 Irish Film and Television Awards.His latest project is the action comedy Free Fire (2017) with Brie Larson and Armie Hammer. He resides in Ireland.
Dr. Malie Coyne is a Clinical Psychologist and N.U.I.G. Lecturer with 18 years experience of working therapeutically with children and families. She is very passionate about promoting wellbeing and increasing awareness of mental health issues, which she achieves through her advocacy work, public speaking and media contributions. She recently hosted “Mental Health Laid Bare” on Dublin City FM, which provided a platform for guests to share their stories of mental health and tools for wellbeing. Malie believes that the solid foundations for emotional and mental wellbeing begin in early childhood, and that staying well involves looking after your mind on a daily basis. She is a mum to two daughters who offer her valuable life lessons. For more of her articles and podcasts, follow Malie on Twitter or Facebook, or on drmaliecoyne.ie.
Gerry Hussey is a proud west of Ireland man, born and raised in the rugged and inspiring landscape of west of Ireland. When Gerry is not at home with Miriam his wife and his German Shepherd, Oscar, Gerry will be found leading and building some of the world’s most successful sports and business teams.
Gerry has been at the forefront of building high performance teams, organisations and individuals in Olympic and Professional, sport and the corporate organisations. Gerry currently works with global leading corporate organisations and business teams in the areas of Leadership, High Performance Team development and human performance and wellness.
Gerry has developed a series of wellness and performance programmes that he runs both in Ireland and internationally where he facilitates and coaches his clients to strip away the learned behaviours and thinking and re connect themselves with the very best version of themselves to re awaken and ignite their inner passion and ability.
Gerry is passionately committed to building human capacity and excels in creating dynamic, innovative and high performing organisational culture that grows its people to achieve excellence in performance and leadership.