FCPGM [Fight Coach, Psychotherapist, Gym Momma]

Persuasion is a lifelong game of molding our environment to the shape we want. Whether you’re convincing a group of friends to eat at a restaurant you like or encourage a child to complete difficult homework when all their friends are on Xbox live. Sometimes, a gentle nudge and a smile is all that’s needed but if a family member has been swallowed up by a doomsday cult, how are you going to get them out? On today’s episode…. We’re talking persuasion tactics and the best ways to effectively communicate your wishes and ideas in a way that actually gets those around you to change their minds, their beliefs or their habits.Recommended Links:Emotions are more persuasive than logic, Olivia Goldhill - Quartz.com:  you will fail to persuade people, James Sudakow - Inc.com: Facts don’t change our mind, Elizabeth Kolbert - NewYorker.com: in Advertsing, Denille O'Regan - Blog: to become a master of persuasion, Kendra Sherry - VeryWellMind.com: Power of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini PhD - APA: Momma's Quote of the Week: “To be persuasive, we must be believable. To be believable, we must be credible. To be credible, we must be truthful” - Edward R. MurrowConnect with us: Marlene: Jimmy: Liam-Og: Podcast Website:

The Greek storyteller - Aesop - once said “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. On the surface, that seems logical, wise and well meaning. However, there are times when kindness, giving or charity cross over the threshold to enablement and other times, when your charity is siphoned off by middlemen to the point that the intended recipient is left no better off than before you gave a penny at all. When does charity really help? When is tough love better than unconditional support? Book Recommendation (affiliate link):Dead Aid: Why aid is not working and how there is another way for Africa, by Dambisa Moyo Links:Brene Brown - Empathy vs Sympathy Ramsey - Love v Enabling:  Ramani - Toxic relationships: mental & physical benefits of giving: Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of self-Interested Charitable Behavior: Difference between helping and enabling: Marlo on Charity, Help, Enabling: Momma's Quote:"Help people help themselves. Don’t judge, just help. In this process, be cautious to simply point them in the right direction and help them get moving. Don’t make your journey theirs, nor make their journey yours” - Dr Steve Maraboli. Connect with us: Gym Momma: Jimmy: Liam-Og: Podcast Website:

Sometimes in life, we realise the path we’re on no longer leads to the destination we planned on reaching. Other times, the path may lead to the right destination but have an obstruction that forces a detour. In any case, the flexibility to pivot, adapt and overcome is one major attribute of humankind that has allowed us to sail the 7 seas, discover vaccines and land on the surface of Mars. What does it take to become good at pivoting and are there psychological hangovers that can stifle our flexibility…. We discuss that and more, in this episode of the Fight Coach, the Psychotherapist and the Gym Momma. Recommended Links:10 celebs who pivoted successfully Chael Sonnen - The fighter who pivotedThe Power of the pivot - by Dr Sarah Sarkis Dan Murray-Serter - Pivoting to turn entrepreneur burn out into a postiveHow Covid has disproportionately affected female entrepreneursBook Recommendations: Tarzan Economics: Eight Principles for Pivoting through Disruption, by Will Page A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters, by Dr Stephen C. Hayes:  Gym Momma's Quote of the Week: “Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything” - George Bernard ShawConnect with us: Gym Momma: Jimmy: Liam-Og: Podcast Website:

In the aftermath of World War 1 and the Spanish Flu pandemic, the devastation of life, culture and economics was akin to a global forest fire. While irreparable and indescribable damage and suffering was inflicted, what was left behind was a metaphorical clearing, a gap for green shoots to reach for the light of the sun. Delicate sprouting leaves that would have previously struggled in the shade of crowded canopies were gifted an opportunity to get a head start in life. How can you position yourself to take advantage of the post-covid landscape and take part in the 21st century’s roaring 20’s?FCPGM Challenges:1. Marlene says: Shop Local and support your community2. Liam-Og says: Evaluate your career to make sure you're in a position to catch the next wave3. Jimmy says: Take a mental health audit: Momma's Quote:"In the rush to get back to normal, use this time to decide which parts of normal are worth rushing back to" - Dave HollisConnect with us:Facebook Community Group [ on twitter [ Server [

With over 9,000 deaths per year in Ireland related to Cancer, it accounts for approximately 30% of annual mortality. While treatments and medications are improving year on year, there’s still a long, long way to go. Cancer patients have their lives turned on its head with news of a diagnosis. Apart from the physical manifestation of the illness, there comes the emotional strife, not just to the patient themselves, but to their family too. Today, we’re meeting with someone who runs a center which aims to offer support to those who find themselves in that very position. What are the things that people battling Cancer find helpful? How has 2020 affected the service? How can we support the cause?Gym Momma's Quote:"Surround yourself only by people who are going to lift you higher" - Oprah WinfreyCork Cancer Care Centre Website:www.CorkCancerCareCentre.ie Connect with us:Facebook Community Group [ on twitter [ Server [

Once upon a time, you would choose your profession upon leaving school and that would be it for the next 45 years. Reinventing one’s self was reserved for celebrities or those lucky enough to inherit a trust fund. Fortunately, this is no longer the case and there are endless opportunities for us all to choose our own paths. When is the right time to consider reinventing yourself and how can you do it successfully? On today’s episode, we’re looking at how possible it is to turn your own life upside down. Is it beneficial, detrimental or the just another symptom of what’s now referred to as the New Normal.Gym Momma's Quote:"Just as established products and brands need updating to stay alive and vibrant, you periodically need to refresh or reinvent yourself" - Mireille GuilianoRecommend Books (amazon affiliate links): Emotional Intelligence, Book by Daniel Goleman   (Self- Awareness): yourself, by James Altucher: Tuesday’s, I’m a buddhist, by Michael Hardingt: Moses, by Anna Mary Robertson: Top Tips:Self- Awareness (Who are you ?) Discover Your StrengthsWhat is your Why ? Step outside your comfort zone with courageSet Goals (SMART)   Make a PlanBe Realistic and in line with your values, Try things outConsider others too, use your support group, like minded people and those with experience Self- Compassion / Be kind to yourself, accept setbacks, learn from them and move forward againTake steps to begin and start now Recommended Links:Reinventing yourself at 60:  How to reinvent yourself and change your life for the better:  (Reinvent yourself [Psychology Today]:  Turn back time and hack your biology:  5 steps to reinvent yourself:  Springboard Courses: 7 reinventions of Madonna with us:Facebook Community Group[ on twitter [ Server [

Have you ever felt taken for granted, or get anxious when somebody asks for what you’d consider too much? Do you find yourself agreeing to things that are not necessarily in your best interest? Well, you need some proper boundaries. On today’s episode, we’re building healthy relationship dynamics by laying out ground rules that guarantees your own long term mental health. Gym Momma's Quote:"Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others" - Brene BrowneFCPGM TipsSelf- Awareness ( What are the boundaries that you feel you need to build and why ?  Where do you need them emotionally)Listen to your Feelings / Gut (Its you bodies way of giving you information)  Maybe like saying no might be a boundary !!  You should be No1 to you and be ok with the stuff you do or acceptSelf- Compassion / Be kind to yourself Build your assertiveness skills (using compassion & empathy)Start small ( Take them 1 at a time) it’s a bit  like building a new habit, the more you practice and do it the easier it becomesRecommended Links:Boundaries with Brene Browne [Youtube}  How to Set Strong Boundaries, Julia Kristina [Youtube]  4 Ways to Set and Keep Your Personal Boundaries. Plus, how to get yourself out when all efforts fail [Article]   What Are Personal Boundaries? How Do I Get Some? [Article]  Recommended Books: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, by Bruce Patton: Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ, by Daniel Goleman: It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath, by Dr Sherri Campbell with us:Facebook Community Group [ on twitter [ Server [

Why do something today when you can put it off until tomorrow? Procrastination is one of the single easiest habits to learn and one that’s hugely difficult to overcome. Why do we do it to ourselves? How can we cure it? On today’s episode, we’re not going to postpone this matter any further. Today is the day to deal with putting stuff on the long finger. Put your devices on “Do not Disturb”, lock yourself into a quiet room and let’s sort this Manyana disease once and for all. Recommended Books:Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin Seligman:  by Kristin Neff:  Procrastination Equation, by Piers Steel:  Links:7 steps to cure procrastination: Talk - Tim Urban - Inside the mind of the master Procrastinator: can we Learn from the Optimistic Explanatory Style:    The Science Behind Procrastination:  Why You Procrastinate:  Gym Momma's Quote:"Every day spent procrastinating is another day spent worrying about that thing. Do it NOW and move on wither you life!"Connect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server

Why do something today when you can put it off until tomorrow? Procrastination is one of the single easiest habits to learn and one that’s hugely difficult to overcome. Why do we do it to ourselves? How can we cure it? On today’s episode, we’re not going to postpone this matter any further. Today is the day to deal with putting stuff on the long finger. Put your devices on “Do not Disturb”, lock yourself into a quiet room and let’s sort this Manyana disease once and for all.

With Social Distancing and successive lockdowns, it seems we’re all experiencing loneliness in 2020 a bit more than usual. For some it’s harrowing to go without daily social contact. For others, alone time is relaxing or productive. It seems to be highly subjective. But what’s the purpose of feeling lonely? And are there dangers to chronic loneliness? On today’s episode, we’re discussing the feelings of being lonely. While Covid has certainly amplified this issue, it’s not a new phenomenon; But has 2020 given us a chance to learn about loneliness and how to deal with it better?Recommended Books:Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body, by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson: Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle: with Loneliness: Learn How to Deal With and Overcome Loneliness to Never Feel Alone Again, by Mary Jane Perrusso: First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts by Winch Ph.D., Guy (2014): Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, by John T Cacciopo and William Patrick: Mommas's Quote:"The Real Loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend"- Edith WhartonRecommended Links: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell - “Loneliness”: signs of loneliness - Youtube - Psycho2Go.net Series on Dealing with Loneliness: Youtube Loneliness Kill you? study on effects of loneliness on cold symptoms: a disease  How loneliness can make you sick    Loneliness affecting the brain with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server

Negativity, eternal pessimism, lazy body language, constant complaining, the poor mouth. I bet you even visualising those phrases has already begun to drain your energy. We encounter people with negative behaviours every single day and while we can choose to avoid some of those people, others, we may be stuck with, such as family, work colleagues, team members. Where does negativity come from and how can we prevent ourselves being affected by it. On today’s episode…. We’re going to look at tactics to deal with the moaning Myrtles of our lives. We need to be impervious to gloom so that we can keep on firing on all cylinders and not get dragged into a black hole. Gym Mommas Quote of the Week:"You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to"- anonTop Tips:Don't go head to head (learn to deflect and disarm)Empathise but don't take responsibilitySet boundaries ["I don't want to talk about this topic anymore..."]Learn to redirect the conversation towards something more positiveYou're allowed to say nothing....Complainers... put them in chargeAccept them for who they areMake sure to manage your own stress ("It's your heart attack")Connect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord ServerRecommended Books:Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment, by Martin Seligmen: Optimism, by Martin Seligmen: Links:Jay Johnson - Ted Talk - How to deal with Difficult People Julia Kristina - Youtube Channel - How Emotionally Intelligent People deal with negative People Willink - Dealing with Negative/Toxic People - Youtube Academy (Brain Functions) Negativity affects us with Negative People:Why dealing with others’ negativity may involve dealing with your own

In the 21st century, the internet has revolutionised how our species interacts socially. Being Tik Tok famous or an influencer are terms that didn’t exist just a few short years ago. There’s no doubt social media brings connectivity and entertainment to the masses, but at what cost? On today’s episode…. We take a deep dive into social networking - the good, the bad and angry emoji. How can we benefit from its many positives without drowning in an ocean of pretentiousness and negativity?Recommended Books:Unfu*k Yourself Series 2 Books Collection Set by Gary John Bishop (Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life & Do the Work: The Official Unrepentant, Ass-Kicking, No-Kidding)  Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, by Brene Brown arguments to deleting social media right now,  by Jaron Lanier:  age of surveillance capitalism, by Shoshana Zuboff:  Likes aren’t enough, by Tim Bono:  Behavior and Social Networking:  Social Media Use and Its Connection to Mental Health: A Systematic Review:  Social Media & Mental Health: Mommas Quote of the Week:"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said"- Peter TruckerTop Tips:Question why do you use social mediaLimit your screen timeDon’t fall into the negative trap  ( Do not get drawn into negative post’s)If you wouldn’t shout it from a rooftop, don’t post itCheck your facts and where they have originated from / Critical ThinkingFollow, Inspiring, Knowledgeable, Experienced & Optimistic people, Unfollow the negative nellies  Connect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server

There’s not enough hours in the day. There’s isn’t enough food on my plate. There’s not enough instagram followers for me. It’s natural for us to complain and moan about not having enough. How much of that moan is legitimate and how much is based on us trying to keep up with the Jones’s? How can we learn to be satisfied with what we’ve got? In this episode, we never having enough… or do we? What’s this persistent perception of scarcity we seem to suffer from and how can we overcome it?Recommended Book:Man's Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust, by Viktor Frankl: Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living, by the Dalai Lama: The Psychology of Happiness, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Works: How to Use Mindfulness to Calm the Hell Down and Just Be Happy, by Paddy Brosnan: or Learn: MMA, Conor McGregor and Me: A Trainer's Journey, by Coach John Kavanagh: Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead - by Brene Brown Habits by James Clear: Thought it Was Just Me (But it Isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy and Power, by Brene Brown soul of money, by Lynn Twist:  Mommas Quote of the Week:“What we know matters. What we have matters. But what we are, matters more” - Brenee BrownTop Tips:1. Ask yourself: "Do I really need it?"2. Manage your expectations. Is what you "need" actually possible to achieve?3. Know what "enough" looks like. Have a clear goal and visual image of what it will look like to have achieved it.4. Gratitude. If you're not grateful for what you already have, you'll never have enough. Connect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord ServerRecommended Links:Why do we always feel we never have enough?:  How to make the most out of not having enough - Kelly Goldsmith: Psychology Behind Never Feeling Good Enough: Post Article: What will ever be enough? reasons why some people feel like they don't have enough time:http:shorturl.at/oNPTV Research shows there's a reason why you never have enough time: Zen Habits: Enough time

Humans are social animals. From tribal beginnings to agricultural settlements and modern cities, our ability to interact and cooperate with our peers in complex systems is arguably the skill stack that differentiates us from all other life on Earth. However, we still have a lot to learn about strong and healthy relationships. What are the keys to long lasting partnerships, whether they be romantic, business, family or sports teams? How can maximally leverage the power of the pack in all aspects of our lives?In this episode we look at relationships… why they succeed, why they break down and how we can become better at fostering stronger ones in our communities. Gym Mommas Quote of the Week:"If you want a relationships that looks and feels like the most amazing thing, you need to treat it like it is the most amazing thing" - anonRecommended Books:Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brenee Brown: Me Tight: Your Guide to the Most Successful Approach to Building Loving Relationships, by Dr Sue Johnson: Conversations: by Bruce Patton,  Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen: Links:5 stages of relationships [Brain Dose]: behaviours that ruin relationships: Psychology of Close Relationships: Fourteen Core Principles: Mentoring Cork: Link: The Science Behind Happy Relationships: with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server

Solvents, Hash, Marijuana, LSD, XTC, Cocaine and Heroin. For many of us, the closest we get to these substances is watching tv dramas like Breaking Bad. For others, experimentation in their teens was as wild as it got. But for some, the rabbit hole is much deeper and the life consequences that follow are rarely positive. What substances are on the streets nowadays? Why do young teens turn to drugs or pills at all? How can we keep younger generations from venturing down that path? Today’s episode is a bit different to usual. Myself, Mar and Jimmy were fortunate enough not to have be snared by any major substance abuse addictions. Truth be told, I had a very sheltered childhood so I’m as far from an expert on this topic as you’re likely to get. However, we were introduced to two fellow podcasters who have been in the trenches and survived to tell the story. James Leonard and Timmy Long (aka "The Two Norries") are 2 friends from the Northside of Cork City, who found themselves entangled in a life of drug addiction from their teens into early adulthood. Their addictions were slightly different but ultimately they both ended up on paths that led to the prison system. Having overcome their addictions and re-discovering education, they started their podcast ("The Two Norries") as a way to help others who may be suffering through similar hardships and to help find solutions to the various issues that lead to a life of Substance Abuse and Crime. Check out their podcast on all your favourite podcast apps or by following the links on their website at to services for drug addiction in Ireland: with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server

What do you need in order to achieve happiness? Money, Love, Health, Tik Tok followers? Or like Spike Jones and his City Slickers of the late 1940’s, would you just be happy with your two front teeth. Is Happiness a state of mind or does it take a lifetime to achieve? We’re going to learn all the secrets of Happiness on today’s episode, where we’ll be looking at Happiness - the definitions, the true meanings, the pursuits of it and talking about whether it's all made up or not.Recommended Book:Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment, by Martin Seligman Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin Seligman Miracle Of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh Mommas Quote of the Week:"Be Happy with what you have. Be excited about what you want" - Alan CohenConnect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord ServerRecommended Links:   (What is Happiness)  (Freud & Happiness)    (Freud on happiness)  (Martin Seligman)  (Martin Seligman Website)     (Thich Nhat Hanh)    (Youtube: The science of happiness experiment)

A roof over your head and warm place to sleep doesn’t seem like much to ask for does it? In a modern society where everyone has a smartphone and access to high speed internet, you’d imagine homelessness should be something we read about in history books. If our news coverage and social media feeds are anything to go by, this is not the case. On this episode, we'll be looking at homelessness, it’s causes, why it’s still a thing in the 21st century and ideas that might help those who are concerned about becoming homeless in the future.Recommended Book:The Girl In Between, by Sarah Carroll Gym Mommas Quote of the Week:"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door we do not see the one that has been opened for us" - Helen Adams KelleherConnect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord ServerRecommended Links:  (Monthly Homeless Data)  (May 2020 Report)  (Simon Community Charity)  (Who are the homeless Us Research)  (Here's how much City Hall will spend on homeless services)  (WHO Report) (Study on Psychological impact)    (Study on Homelessness) (psychological research)    (Simon Research) (Social Justice Ireland statistics on homelessness 2019)

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Was that your choice? Or did the atoms of the universe over the past 13.7B years collide and interact in a predictable chain reaction that led to you having the life experiences and opportunities which in turn led to you inevitably picking that particular breakfast today? Is free will a myth? In this episode, we weigh up the arguments of free will and pre-determinism. If we don’t have free will, can we take credit for anything we do right? Or suffer the responsibility of anything we do wrong? Prepare for a thumping headache as we meander through philosophy and metaphysics during this episode. Jimmy's Mindfulness Course - "Personal Transformation Course": Book:Free Will, by Sam Harris: Room, by Daniel Dennett: Greatly, by Brene Brown: Fear of Freedom, by Erich Fromm: Intelligence, by Daniel Goleman: Links:Freewill: Freewill Exist: vs Determination: Making: illusion of Free Will 2015 by Terry Hyland – Emeritus Professor, University of Bolton, UK and Research Director, Turning Point Training Institute, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Tumor that "caused paedophilic urges": Course Philosophy #25: Compatibilism Course Philosophy #24: Determinism v Free Will Mommas Quote of the Week:"The Time will pass anyway. You can either spend it creating the life you want, or the life you don't want; And the choice is yours"- AnonConnect with us:Facebook Community GroupFCPGM on twitter (@fcpgmpodcast)Discord Server