The Wellness Edge - Andrea O’Grady

Lessons from My Mother

Today would have been my mother Patty’s 96th birthday.

She died 21 years ago, yet I still carry her with me every day. Around this time each year, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary lessons she taught me, not just through words, but through the way she lived.

She was my first coach.

When my father died, she suddenly found herself raising eight children and managing two businesses she knew little about. She didn’t have all the answers, but she trusted she could learn. She taught me that courage isn’t knowing how, it’s believing you’ll figure it out.

She showed me that joy is essential, even in grief. She sang, danced, wrote poetry and embraced creativity when life was hardest. Play, she taught me, isn’t frivolous, it is healing. I can still hear her laugh and see her throw her head back and her eyes crinkle with fun!

Kindness was simply how she lived. Our door was always open to those in need, often with no one else ever knowing. She taught me that the quietest acts of generosity are often the most powerful.

She expected me to work hard, be curious and learn to do things for myself. Those everyday chores became lessons in confidence and resourcefulness that have stayed with me for life.

She valued honesty, lifelong learning and community. And when life became difficult, she kept putting one foot in front of the other, surrounded by people who lifted her up.

As I reflect today, I realise these values have become woven into my own life and my work as a coach. They underpin my belief in resilience, in human potential and in the goodness of others.

The greatest lessons we receive are rarely spoken. They are absorbed by watching those who raise us and shape the way we respond to life.

Perhaps that is the greatest legacy anyone can leave.

Who was your first coach, and what did they teach you without ever saying a word?

Thank you, Mam. For everything.

And thank you to Carolan, whose inspiration prompted me to finally write this reflection.

It was super to deliver a group session for a great client today on National Workplace Wellbeing Day!

Building Resilience in an Uncertain World 🌍

We looked at…

- What stress is?
- How it shows up for you?
- Why emotions are a signal and not a directive?
- How to recognise it?

And most importantly what we can do about it…

- Building the skill of Emotional Agility, using my 4 step framework to boost our resilience.

- Practical Science Based Tools of Breathing and Movement to support and build our Emotional Agility muscle throughout our workday.

- Recovery
The importance of taking micro breaks throughout the day to decompress and reset ourselves mentally and physically.

We build our resilience moment by moment, and when we use these tools consistently, we can meet the inevitable challenges and changes in our life in a responsive and values based way.

It’s the cornerstone of how we build positive workplace cultures, one’s that prioritise their employee’s wellbeing.

It is the foundation of the work I do with individuals and teams.

EA helps to built a community of trust, safety and wellbeing.

As always wellbeing should be a 365 day focus in line with your life goals, or business strategy

If you want to know more, or are interested in booking this talk, get in touch. I’d love to chat!

Weekends like this matter to me!

I’ve just come back from the Professional Speaking Association conference in Leeds, and it brought back happy memories of my old buying days, travelling across the UK. Landing in Yorkshire greeted with the same warmth, openness, and genuine welcome from people was so familiar, and felt like home!

What stood out for me most?

Connection. This was the theme of the conference this year, and we got it in spades.

Spending time with my PSA crew, deepening friendships, having real conversations, and gaining a better understanding of each other’s speaking journeys and businesses was the bonus! Norma O’Kelly Transition Coach and Leadership Advisor Maureen McCowen Aisling O' Rourke Andrew Dobbin , Jean Evans - Networking Architect
Patrick Mercie MPSA, Denise Fay - Marketing Strategist , Johnny Fitz, Jackie Layng MVB ACC.

Of course, the speakers on the day were exceptional. Plenty of ideas, insights, and inspiration, particularly from Lee Jackson, Priscilla Leigh, Jackie Handy and the effervescent Oliver Watson Rhythm.

It was wonderful to meet members from all the other branches and great to see and chat with David Abbott again after seeing his first talk online at my first ever PSA meeting over 3 years ago!

Congratulations to Norma O’Kelly Transition Coach and Leadership Advisor who represented Ireland ESY competition, you did us all proud!

And also to Andrew Dobbin who won Member of the year for all the support and work behind the scenes, and it is so well deserved.

Congratulations to Aisling O' Rourke on delivering a super presentation at the Professional Members session, and also to Patrick Mercie MPSA who facilitated.

Our very own Denise Fay - Marketing Strategist VP of the PSA, also did a pro job MC’ing the awards alongside Olga Geidane

The Irish representation is strong 🇮🇪

And now, my real value? Turning my insights and learning into action.

Next up for me, I’ll be delivering a new showcase I have been working on, at this Saturday’s PSA Ireland Branch meeting.

If you’re curious about speaking, growing your message, or connecting with a brilliant community, do come join us:

https://lnkd.in/djmxZ4ff

Lovely to guest with Antonia and Helen today Four Swans Therapy and Wellness - Mind Yourself Podcast, launching in May.

Thanks for having me ladies!

One of our guests on the Mind Your Self podcast today was Andrea O'grady from The Wellness Edge.

We spoke about the rising impact of stress and burnout in modern life and why we mask ourselves to appear well when we don't feel well, the challenges of parenting an autistic child and how it taught her how to ground herself and regulate her nervous system - tools she now uses in her day to day work supporting clients.

It was a pleasure to share space with her today at Four Swans Therapy and Wellness centre.

First season episodes will air in May!

If you have a story you would love to share in a safe and compassionate setting, the next recording availability is in June.

Contact us at fourswans.ie

Had a great conversation this morning with Antonia & Helen on their - Mind Your Self podcast .therapy

Thanks for inviting me.

We talked about, burnout my wellness journey, what led me to the work I do, and more.

The podcast launches in May!

Stay tuned for the line up of super guests!

Looking ahead to an important date in the Irish professional speaking calendar. PSA Ireland returns this February with Grow, a focused gathering for speakers and business owners who want to develop their craft, strengthen their message and build sustainable speaking careers.

This event marks Brian Downes’ first gathering as Regional President of PSA Ireland, and something I’m really looking forward to.

We are delighted to welcome keynote speakers Dr Lollie Mancey and John Burns FCMA, MInstCPD.

As always, the day will include networking, member showcases and constructive feedback in a supportive, professional environment.

This event will also see members compete to represent Ireland in the Emerging Speaker of the Year competition. As an entrant last year, the growth and learning gained while preparing was immense. I am looking forward to hearing our emerging speakers this year!

If you are serious about using speaking to grow your business, or about developing as a professional speaker, this is a date worth putting in the diary.

Full details and booking here:
https://lnkd.in/ehiAd76A

Happy New Year!

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