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OPERATION TRANSFORMATION

Operation Transformation - John Conmy -18 Image Name: Operation Transformation - John Conmy -18 Description: Operation Transformation leader John Conmy.
Operation Transformation Group Leaders 1_1 Image Name: Operation Transformation Group Leaders 1_1 Description: Kathryn Thomas with this year’s Operation Transformation leaders: Left to right: Lucy Dillon, Noeleen Lynam, John Conmy, Kathryn Thomas, Dan Kennedy and Clare Scanlan.
Operation Transformation leader Dan Kennedy-17 Image Name: Operation Transformation leader Dan Kennedy-17 Description: Operation Transformation leader Dan Kennedy
Operation Transformation Clare Scanlan-12 Image Name: Operation Transformation Clare Scanlan-12 Description: Operation Transformation leader Clare Scanlan
operation transformation 5 Image Name: operation transformation 5 Description: Operation Transformation The Experts: Dr Eddie Murphy,Dietician Aoife Hearne,Dr Ciara Kelly and Fitness Guru Karl Henry at Sports Link Santry Dublin Picture Brian McEvoy No Repro fee for one use
Lucy Dillon-14 Image Name: Lucy Dillon-14 Description: Operation Transformation leader - Lucy Dillon
Noeleen Lynam-14 Image Name: Noeleen Lynam-14 Description: Operation Transformation leader Noeleen Lynam

Episode 9, Wednesday, February 3rd at 8.30pm on RTÉ One

With less than three weeks to go to the 5k, the pressure is on for our leaders but will they get the results they are looking for as they step on the scales. This week we’re off to Co. Cork to reveal the fourth step of It’s Your Move.

 

Episode 10, Thursday, February 4th at 8.30pm on RTÉ One

Over half way there, and things are heating up for our leaders as they face their toughest challenge yet under the watchful eye of Dublin Fire Brigade. But Operation Transformation isn’t all down to our leaders, we reveal what the country has achieved so far with the Million Pound Challenge.

 

Series Overview: 

This year’s battle against the bulge will see our five courageous leaders radically change their eating and exercise habits in the hope of getting healthier and setting an example for people around the country.

It’s a daunting task for the leaders and this year Operation Transformation is launching its biggest and most ambitious campaign to date, with plans afoot for a project the entire country can get involved in.

As always, the leaders will have support and advice from our crack team of Operation Transformation experts including fitness coach Karl Henry; principal clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy; dietitian and Healthy Ireland Council member Aoife Hearne and general practitioner Dr Ciara Kelly. All four will be on hand to guide the leaders as they put the Operation Transformation health and fitness plan in to action.

Dublin Fire Brigade are back on board this year to set the physical challenges, with the leaders sure to feel the burn as Officer Dave Connolly and fire fighters Neal Dempsey and Sara Good put them through their paces. They will be pushing the leaders to their limits each week and preparing them for battle against the experts at the end of the series.

Once again you can keep up to date with Operation Transformation on radio.

This year The Ray D’Arcy Show will be the RTÉ Radio 1 home for the series, with regular updates from the leaders and campaigns, while on 2fm Karl Henry and Louise McSharry will provide the soundtrack to get the nation up and moving with live updates from weekly nationwide events.

This year our brave leaders are:

John Conmy

Weighing 22 stone 10 pounds, John Conmy (47) is our heaviest leader this year. Hailing from Bangor Erris in Co Mayo, where he lives with wife Evonne and daughter Amber Lillie (5), John is head chef at his own restaurant – Fun Bobby’s Bistro in Belmullet.

John’s weight began to rise when he started working long hours surrounded by food. Days spent picking at food are often followed by a few social pints after work and now John is worried that his weight will be the death of him, especially since developing Type 2 Diabetes seven years ago.

John’s parents died when he was in his early 20s. He was working as a chef in Cork at the time but moved home to Mayo to raise his two teenage brothers. He has an unbreakable bond with his brothers and is very proud of how they turned out.

Dan Kennedy

Forty-four-year-old Dan Kennedy from Beaumont in Co Dublin is a real homebird, living at home with his mother Kay (79) who does all the cooking, washing and ironing.

In his youth Dan was a talented footballer, attending trials at English Premier League clubs in his teens, but gave up playing when he turned 33 and the opportunity to manage a team came up. Football remains a huge part of his life  – he works part time as an administrator for the Athletic Union League and also volunteers with the FAI looking after members of the international team when they are in Dublin – but he’s now watching from the sidelines and his weight is creeping up.

His father died from massive heart attack at the age of 45 and, with 19 stone Dan reaching that age himself next year, the loss is weighing heavily on his mind. Growing up without his Dad had a huge impact on Dan, as he missed having his dad on the sidelines at matches. With the lingering feeling that he hasn’t reached his full potential, his dream is to get fit enough to line out for the Republic of Ireland Masters.

Lucy Dillon

Twenty-four-year-old mother-of-one Lucy Dillon from Clonmellon in Co Meath, where she lives with partner Conor and daughter Molly, has always battled with her weight but has found it particularly difficult since the death of her mum Therese from lung cancer three years ago.

Less than a month after Therese passed away, Lucy started a college course and, working hard, she relied on junk food to keep her going.

Molly (1) was born two years later on Lucy’s mum’s birthday which was hugely emotional for her. Lucy still carries guilt that she didn’t spend enough time with her mum before she died. She comfort eats and often gets up in the middle of the night to eat some chocolate. Standing at 5 foot 10 inches tall, she currently weighs 17 stone 4 pounds.

Lucy wants to ditch the crash diets and comfort eating once and for all and get back to feeling 24 rather than 44.

Lucy is originally from Kells, Co. Meath, where her dad Pat runs an open farm and shop. The family also run Spooktacular, one of the country’s biggest Halloween attractions. Planning for the event begins in May and it’s all hands on deck for Lucy, her dad and two brothers.

Noeleen Lynam

From Raharney in Co Westmeath, primary school vice-principal Noeleen Lynam (50) is just 5 foot 3 inches but weighs in at 11 stone 10 pounds. She wants to take part in Operation Transformation because she wants to change her lifestyle once and for all having followed a succession of fad diets. Having gained two stone in two years, Noeleen is keen to get a handle on it now before it is too late.

She hopes to lead by example for the children in her school, having witnessed first hand the effect that poor diet and exercise can have on pupils.

Noeleen wants to embrace her 50s, feeling happy in herself. She wants to be fit, healthy and toned, and enjoy the next phase of her life with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible.

Clare Scanlan

Working mum Clare Scanlan (39) is originally from West Cork but lives in Monagea with husband Tom and their children Liam (11) and Caoimhe (10).

Clare’s eldest son Darra passed away four years ago from SAD (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome), when he was just 15 years old. Darra was a happy teenager, who was always active and loved nothing more than playing football and soccer. Since Darra’s funeral, Clare feels she is just existing rather than really living her life. She misses him terribly and was very angry at his loss for a time but now just feels broken. Life has continued around her; bills still need to be paid and Liam and Caoimhe still need to be brought to school every morning. She has kept going as best she can for her children but hasn’t had any energy to put into herself. She is stuck in a rut, with her weight creeping up all the time.

She has always struggled with her weight and added pounds after her pregnancies. She now finds it hard to get motivated and says that chocolate and biscuits – generally with a cup of tea – are her downfall. Standing at 5 foot 7 inches, she currently weighs 16 stone 5 pounds.

Clare hopes that tackling her weight will be the first step in learning to feel happy and start enjoying life again.

ENDS