Join Gerry Ryan and Evelyn O’Rourke as they meet the six leaders of Operation Transformation as they continue on their journey of change.
Catch up with Eamonn Joyce, Evelyn Farrell, Donal Looney, Louise Collins, Ollie Hannagh Murtagh and Violet O’Shea as they are supported and guided by a panel of experts in the fields of fitness, nutrition and psychology in order to reach their goals. We see what progress they’ve made as they strive to transform themselves before the February 28th deadline. Gerry will reveal how the participants are doing as they strive to rise above temptation, struggle with exercise regimes, and cope with diets and new ways of thinking to enable them to change.
Viewers will also be able to continue to follow the participant of their choice and adopt their exercise plan, diet and follow their progress on a daily basis on the Operation Transformation website, www.rte.ie/ot.
The Leaders
Eamonn Joyce
Eamonn Joyce is a 36-year-old chef who is looking to become healthier, fitter and wants to provide a good example to his three young daughters. Eamonn is a self-confessed chocoholic who used to be an avid sportsman, but his entry into working life at the age of 18 put an end to all that. His wife, Christina, and his three children are very proud of him for entering Operation Transformation and it’s for their sake he wants to change. Eamonn’s work-mates are also there to keep a close eye on him during the challenge. He is on the right road already having recently given up smoking and is already feeling much better for it. Can he continue to make the changes he needs to achieve a healthier and more active lifestyle?
Evelyn Farrell
37-year-old Evelyn Farrell works as an accountant and is looking for “the kick up the arse” she needs to start a new life. Having grown up working on a farm and always having had a weight problem, Evelyn wants to lose weight, change perspectives on who she is and how she looks and become healthier. Evelyn’s boyfriend Jim is very supportive of her decision to take part in Operation Transformation and will help her throughout the process. Eventually Evelyn wants to be able to buy clothes in a wider variety of places, have more energy and ultimately, change her attitude.
Donal Looney
Donal Looney is 42 years of age, single and “would like to look in the mirror and say, I’d like a bit of that”! He works as a ready mix driver and his teenage son, Aaron, dared him to take part in Operation Transformation. Donal was in the army for 17 years, but once he left and changed his job, the weight began to pile on. Self-admittedly, Donal needs to work on his cooking skills, eating habits and flirting skills too! His family and friends are very proud of him for biting the bullet and are all there to provide encouragement as he takes part in the challenge to become a healthier and fitter version of himself.
Louise Collins
A 21-year-old pre-school teacher who wants to be able to buy the clothes she wants to wear, Louise Collins, was always the bigger girl in school. Louise has tried every diet going but to no avail and is now determined to give up her bad habits of late night eating and hiding junk food from her Mum. She wants to be a comfortable size 12 and have the energy to run around after the children in work. Louise would also like to be able to help other overweight people once the challenge is finished, and has the encouragement of her family, friends and her boyfriend Kevin to help her achieve her goals.
Ollie Hannagh Murtagh
Ollie Hannagh Murtagh is an adult education teacher and is 29 years of age. She is married to Gerard and has three sons, Josh, Ben and Alex. Ollie is tired of being overweight and needs help to keep her motivation levels up. She doesn’t want her children to be embarrassed by her and is worried about the health implications of her unhealthy lifestyle and weight. Ollie needs to get rid of her snacking habit and not see exercise as a chore, and is hoping to be able to do this with the help of her friends and family.
Violet O’Shea
A 44-year-old taxi driver, Violet O’Shea is married with four children and was always thing as a teenager. Since she started having children the weight began to creep on and she’s been on “every diet known to man”. Violet knows she needs to be more active but she gets bored very easily. She also feels she needs to be re-educated where food is concerned so she can understand exactly what is and what isn’t healthy. Violet feels that her weight is getting in the way of her enjoying life and with her family 100% behind she hopes to be able to stick with the programme and make a significant difference to her wellbeing.
The Experts
Dr. Ian Galvin MB BA BCh BAO BSc MSc
Psychologist
Ian was born and educated in Co. Meath. He attended University College Cork where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Science and Psychology. He went on to complete a Masters of Science in Forensic Psychology in England and worked with the Ministry of Justice in Perth, Australia before returning home to set up Gargan Psychological Services, And in the midst of all this, he’s a familiar voice to listeners of the Gerry Ryan Show.
Dr. Eva Orsmond M.D, MPH
Weight Loss Expert
Dr. Eva is a medical doctor specialising in the treatment of overweight and obesity. She studied at Pavis University, Italy and in 1990 she returned to her home country, Finland, to practise medicine. Ten years later she moved to Ireland is now based in the Shape-Up Weight Management Clinic in Shankill, Co. Dublin. Dr. Orsmond believes in the fundamental roles food and balanced diet have for our physical and mental health.
Karl Henry BSc
Fitness Expert
25-year-old Karl Henry is a Dublin man with a BSc (hons) Sports Management from University College Dublin. He has been personal training for over nine years now with A.C.E and A.A.B.S. qualifications. Three years ago, Karl turned vegetarian and says he has found an all-new level of fitness that has seen him progress into marathon running and iron man triathlons. Karl’s myth list includes “If you exercise it doesn’t matter what you eat” and “If women lift weights they get bulky.” Nonsense apparently!