OPERATION TRANSFORMATION LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR NEW LEADERS
*** 2017 LEADERS REVEAL COLLECTIVE LOSS OF 15ST 10LBS ***
Today Operation Transformation officially launched their nationwide search for five brave new leaders to inspire the country to health and wellness in 2018.
Presenter Kathryn Thomas and RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy joined former leaders Chris McElligott, Marie Grace, Seán Daly and Yvonne Keenan-Ross to launch the search for leaders for the eleventh season of the show.
All five of last year’s leaders continued their health and weight-loss journeys after the cameras left their homes and communities, and have lost a collective 15st 10lbs (almost a 100 kg) since starting the Operation Transformation food and fitness plan in January 2017. This is biggest collective weight-loss ever recorded in OT history by leaders on the series.
Do you struggle with your weight? Are those extra stones and pounds keeping you from leading the life you want? Do you want to make your bad habits a thing of the past? Do you want 2018 to be the year you transform your life while inspiring others to do the same?
If this sounds like you and you think you have what it takes to inspire the nation to get up and get moving in the New Year, then we want to hear from you. Help lead the nation towards better health and apply as an Operation Transformation leader today.
Operation Transformation presenter Kathryn Thomas said: “I’m blown away by the success of last year’s leaders. I’m so proud of each of them. 2018 marks the eleventh series of Operation Transformation. I’d say to anyone who’s watched the show before and thought I wish I could do that – this could be your year – this could be you standing here next year – healthier and happier – encouraging other people to make a difference in their lives. So make that first step – log on to the OT website, pick up the phone and call the team.You can make all the excuses you like but the leaders here today are proof that the Operation Transformation plan works and that you can lose weight and keep it off. 2018 could be your year – we’d love to hear from you.”
RTÉ Radio 1’s Ray D’Arcy said: “I’m delighted to see Operation Transformation back for its eleventh year! Since we last saw Marie, Chris, Yvonne, Sean and Mairead they’ve continued with their plans and have really taken up that change in lifestyle, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly – it’s great to see. This year saw the biggest collective weight-loss ever recorded in OT history by leaders on the series so we really hope to build on that success again with a new set of leaders. If you think it’s time to take control of your weight, take that first step now and get in touch.”
To apply online go to www.rte.ie/ot and follow the instructions there. If you have any questions or if you would like an application form sent to you in the post, please call Helen, Brittny or Elisha on 01 864 1444 or email ot@vipmg.tv
Tune into the Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 from 3pm to hear interviews with last years five leaders.
-ENDS-
Rayna Connery, Acting Senior Press Officer, RTÉ Television Press Office, E: rayna.connery@rte.ie T: 01 2083169 M: 0879862902
Jilly McDonough, RTÉ Radio Press Office, jilly.mcdonough@rte.ie T: 01 2082893 M:0871702787
Please Note:
Mac Innes Photography will take photos on behalf of RTÉ and circulate to national press after the photocall. Contact Justin on: info@mip.ie
Editors’ Notes:
Marie Grace (33)
Starting Weight in January 2017: 14 st 1 lbs
Weight at the end of the show: 12 st 10 lbs
Current Weight: 12 st 2 lbs
Overall weight Loss: 1 st 13 lbs
Hairdresser Marie Grace from Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick lives with her husband Fergal. They have two daughters Lily Mai and Daisy.
After having daughter Lily Mai, Marie’s waters broke early with their second child and she was rushed to hospital. Marie gave birth to a little girl they called Michaela, who sadly passed away a few hours later on the 18 November 2014. In 2015, Marie became pregnant again and they welcomed youngest daughter Daisy to the world.
When Marie applied for Operation Transformation, her biggest concern was that she would continue to get bigger and that she wouldn’t be able to run around with her daughters. She had lost all confidence in herself and had no motivation.
Nine months on from Operation Transformation, and Marie’s life has changed for the better. She loves her new healthier lifestyle, and she has more energy than ever before, for herself and for her girls.
She’s gone from sitting on the couch last January to running four to five times a week. Marie worked up to running her first 10K back in May, completing the Great Limerick Run.
Marie did have a small set-back in June when she damaged ligaments and sprained her ankle playing Gaelic football, but she spent three months resting up and thankfully returned to running six weeks ago.
Since Marie and Fergal spoke of their loss on Operation Transformation they were inundated with support from the public.
Chris McElligott (47)
Starting Weight in January 2017: 17 st 11.5 lbs
Weight at the end of the show: 15 st 8.5 lbs
Current Weight: 14 st 2 lbs
Overall weight Loss: 3 st 9.5 lbs
Chris lives with his partner Elizabeth and their three children Ryan, Dylan, and Mia in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath but is originally from Ballymun in Dublin.
Seventeen years ago, Chris’ right leg was severed below the knee in a road traffic accident. He was on his way back home to play a football match when the van he was driving was jack-knifed by a truck.
Six months later he was fitted for his prosthetic leg. Chris’ weight made his everyday mobility more of a struggle, putting undue pressure on his prosthetic limb.
Chris always had a passion for football and he was capped 26 times for the Republic of Ireland Junior International team. He also played for St Patrick’s Athletic F.C. under Brian Kerr from which he has a league winner’s medal from 1995.
As a Community Coach with the FAI and working with children with disabilities throughout Leinster, Chris spent much of his time motivating others, but didn’t seem to be able to motivate himself.
But during his eight weeks on Operation Transformation, Chris inspired the whole nation, especially when he crossed the finish-line at theOperation Transformation 5K Run in the Phoenix Park at the end of the series.
Chris started his OT journey with one single goal in mind; to make it back onto the Irish Amputee Football team in time for the European Championships taking place in Turkey this October. Not only did Chris get back onto the Irish team. but he also helped them finish in sixth place and was the leading Irish goal scorer of the tournament. Chris described representing Ireland in Istanbul was one of his best experiences he has ever had in all his years of football.
Before OT Chris never had a healthy diet. But post OT the vegetables that Chris hated to eat are still on the menu. The healthy habits he learned on Operation Transformation are now part of his life and he feels better than he ever did.
Yvonne Keenan-Ross (49)
Starting Weight in January 2017: 16 st 10 lbs
Weight at the end of the show: 14 st 11 lbs
Current Weight: 13 st 12 lbs
Overall weight Loss: 2 st 12 lbs
Yvonne Keenan-Ross lives with her husband Stephen, and their two children Luke and Karla in Carlingford, Co Louth.
This time last year Yvonne filled out her Operation Transformation application form after seeing herself in a bedside mirror while away on holiday. Yvonne took a photo but never intended anyone to see it; it became her motivation to do something about her weight.
This year on holidays she took another picture. This time a more confident Yvonne was staring back. She now has the confidence to wear a bikini again.
At the beginning of Operation Transformation Yvonne was visibly suffering from arthritis of the hip. Over the last nine months she hasn’t stopped moving and has never felt better. Although Yvonne feels she still has a way to go she believes that movement is her medicine.
Yvonne took part in the Cooley Coast Run in May with her son Luke. She still walks four or five times a week with her friends Lorraine and Donna.
After OT she decided to finish up working in their family-run café and pursue her own career dreams. She has gone back to college to study Film and Television Production in Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education in Dundalk. She wants to move onto the degree in Dundalk Institute of Technology with a view to studying scriptwriting next year.
Nine months on from OT, Yvonne and her family are living a happier and healthier life.
Seán Daly (26)
Starting Weight in January 2017: 24 st 3 lbs
Weight at the end of the show: 21 st 5.5 lbs
Current Weight: 18 st 13 lbs
Overall weight Loss: 5 st 3 lbs
Specsavers manager Seán Daly lives in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin with his parents Lorraine and Alan and his younger brother Darren.
Seán had always been heavy. For his Communion, he remembers having to get his suit specially made as they couldn’t find clothes to fit him.
Before he applied for the show, Seán was so unhappy with his weight that he had been considering going to Poland to get a gastric band fitted.
He knew he was overeating, but he didn’t know what to do about it. Thankfully, Seán filled out that application form and it was one of the best decisions he ever made.
Seán’s wish was to lose the weight and to one day look in the mirror and to actually like, possibly even love, who was looking back at him, and after two months on the OT plan he got one step closer to that.
Seán joined a gym and he now works out with a personal trainer at 6am, five days a week.
Since the show finished, Seán has used social media to keep his followers up to date with his continued transformation. Even on days that he is struggling, he continues to be a source of inspiration for his followers. He now he lives by his motto “I can and I will.”
Apart from his incredible weight-loss, Seán’s other big achievement is becoming a non-smoker.
Maireád Redmond (23)
Starting Weight in January 2017: 16 st 4.5 lb
Weight at the end of the show: 14 st 12 lb
Current Weight: 14 st 5 lb
Overall weight Loss: 1 st 13.5 lb
Chocolatier and pastry chef Maireád lives at home in New Ross, Co. Wexford with her parents Noel and Mary and her brother Adrian.
Maireád studied culinary arts in college and is very passionate about working with food. This led her to what might be considered a dream job: making handmade truffles, artisan chocolates and pastries.
Maireád applied for Operation Transformation so that she could finally put her physical and mental health first and not to consistently leave them at the bottom of her to-do list.
Maireád wanted to lose weight so that she could be in control of her body and not let the image she saw in the mirror change her mood, her feelings or her confidence anymore.
After a rocky first few weeks on the OT Plan, the youngest leader Mairéad has come a long way. She even triumphed over injury, and did what she had promised herself she’d do; she completed her first ever 5K run and did it with her supportive family at her side.
Not only did Maireád maintain her weight-loss, she also lost another half stone, by continuing to exercise and to eat healthily. She continued to attend her local parkrun in New Ross during the summer and is still enjoying running.
She has recently completed her 1st Year exams in her Business degree, and wants to open her own business someday.