We have the Power of Choice… Philly McMahon talks candidly to Brian Purcell at Maynooth University on the Secrets to Well-Being.
Undergraduate Marketing students were treated to a health and fitness seminar by GAA All Star and five time winning All Ireland footballer, Philly McMahon moderated by PR consultant, Brian Purcell, as part of the County Kildare Chamber Healthy Ireland Week. As part of their module in Integrated Marketing Communications, students were asked to write a press release about the event. Read second year student Lorraine Mulhaire's press release below.
Lorraine Mulhaire (Year 2, BA Business (Marketing) student):
“On Wednesday, 14 March 2018, myself along with my fellow students of Integrated Marketing Communications, Maynooth Post Primary School, and local Industry connections had the privilege to take the time to listen to a talk on ‘The Secret of Well-Being’ From Dublin GAA Star Philly McMahon. The interview was conducted by Brian Purcell who most people might know as ‘you’re the one off the Apprentice’.
The talk was engaging and refreshing; Philly spoke about his background, the negative connotations surrounding his home in Ballymun, his passion for business, alongside what keeps him positive in his everyday life.
Philly McMahon is a true role model with success on the sporting field, where he has come from, his involvement in business and being open and raw when it comes to mental health. The topic of mental health can be difficult to talk about, so I was proud of Philly for taking the time to share his experiences with us in the most truthful way he could.
Despite the stigma associated with being raised in Ballymun, Philly viewed this environment as a gift, with excellent community spirit, but he learned what path he did not want to travel when his brother John passed at aged 31 from drug abuse. Philly reached the age where he understood that we have ‘the power of choice’ to change negatives choices to positive ones.
Philly does not have an overall picture of where he wants to be, but he will set goals while embracing every moment that life has to offer, and this can be seen through his new business Bedo7, Fit Food Ireland, and his charity Half Time Talk. As a student, I enjoyed this insight from Philly and my favourite quote from the talk was to “go in a certain direction, but don’t know your destination’. Often we put ourselves under undue pressure to reach success, but, according to Philly, much of the success and fun is achieved through the journey!”
Dr Christian O’Connor, Lecturer in Integrated Marketing Communications, would like to thank Philly McMahon and Brian Purcell for talking to Maynooth Marketing students about the Secrets to Well Being. She would also like to thank the County Kildare Chamber for providing the opportunity for one lucky Maynooth student to have his/her press release on this event published in Kildare Chamber line publications. And finally, she thanks Senior University Tutor, Geraldine Lavin, for making this all possible.
Pictured left are Professor Marketing, Joseph Coughlan; Lecturer in Marketing, Dr Christina O'Connor; Senior University Tutor, Geraldine Lavin, Brian Purcell; and Philly McMahon.
Pictured below are Brian Purcell, the County Kildare Chamber Team, and Philly McMahon.
