Changewaves Ena Meagher

Jack Kavanagh is a speaker, performance and resilience coach, and a generally inspirational human being. Former competitive windsurfer, Jack, suffered a life-changing spinal cord injury at 20. His story is one of resilience, optimism and determination. And is a reminder of our capacity as humans to thrive in the face of adversity. The conversation is both inspirational & practical as Jack brings along some great strategies that we can all place in our resilience toolbox.

Note: My internet dropped out at one point, so you'll hear a slight change in sound quality as a re-recorded my response at a later date. 

Connect with Jack on Instagram @jackkavanaghirl or on his website at https://jack-kavanagh.com/.

Connect with Ena on Instagram @_thecreativelife or at www.enameagher.com. Go to https://www.enameagher.com/free-resources to gain access to free downloads to support your change experience.

Cover art by Aoife Lennon. Instagram @c_.r_.e_.a_.t_.e._

Edited by Colin Andrews. Email: colinandrews@live.ie

This episode's guest is Katie Geaney, the face behind the Instagram page @naturalbornoptimist. Katie and Ena met in Melbourne and have both since moved back to Ireland. This conversation digs into the process of re-adjusting to a place you have left, finding your place again within family and friend groups after being away for a time. They touch on societal expectations, the loneliness of living away, the excitement of a move abroad & the notion of finality that can arise when it comes to making the decision to move home. Ena shares her poem about moving home in this episode. 

Connect with Katie on Instagram or TIkTok @naturalbornoptimist. 

Connect with Ena on Instagram @_thecreativelife or on www.enameagher.com. Go to https://www.enameagher.com/free-resources to gain access to free downloads to support your change experience. 

Cover art by Aoife Lennon. Instagram @c_.r_.e_.a_.t_.e._

Edited by Colin Andrews. Email: colinandrews@live.ie

Today Ena speaks to James Leonard, a hugely inspirational  Cork man. He battled addiction and prison to come out the other side. He has spent the last six years in education. He now has a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth & Community Work, a Master’s Degree in Criminology and is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Sociology & Criminology, University College Cork. He also has his own podcast' @2norriespodcast We chat about the moments that prompted changes in James life, the people who impacted him, identity, social class, youth mental health + much more. A big takeaway from this chat is that our identities are not fixed, we can change at any time with the right support. James’ story is one of resilience, adversity, grit and hope. 

Connect with Ena on Instagram @_thecreativelife or on www.enameagher.com. And if you could tag Ena in your insights or when you're listening, it would be much appreciated!

Cover art is by Aoife Lennon. Instagram @c_.r_.e_.a_.t_.e._

Edited by Colin Andrews

Ena speaks to Dr Sidhbh Gallagher, the Irish plastic surgeon changing lives for hundreds of transgender Americans. We speak about her journey from County Louth to opening her own practice in Miami & being a leader in the field of gender affirmation surgery. We chat about the change that she facilitates for her patients, how she herself has embraced her own extra-ness, seeing her work as art, how nobody actually cares about what t-shirt we are wearing & about leaning into the pain that came arise when pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

Connect with Sidhbh on Instagram @drsidhbhgallagher, TikTok @gendersurgeon @thevagicianmd or on her website.

Connect with Ena on Instagram @_thecreativelife or on www.enameagher.com. And if you could rate & review this podcast, it would be much appreciated!

Cover art is by Aoife Lennon. Instagram @c_.r_.e_.a_.t_.e._

Edited by Colin Andrews

Peter’s story is one of unexpected change. Back in 2010 Peter was impacted by a rare genetic disorder that left him with with between five and ten percent peripheral vision in both eyes. Basically, he was legally blind. A lot happened over the next few years as he adjusted to this new way of living. We speak about the impact of sport on his life, the stories that hold us back, those that empower us and how we cope when core aspects of our identities shift. We also chat about dealing with disappointment, uncertainty & the complexities of reaching out for support when things are tough. 

Connect with Peter on Instagram @petersvision01 or at www.peterryan.ie

Connect with Ena on Instagram @_thecreativelife or on www.enameagher.com. And if you could rate & review this podcast, it would be much appreciated!

Cover art is by Aoife Lennon. Instagram @c_.r_.e_.a_.t_.e._

Edited by Colin Andrews