Ep. 13 - From Tragedy to Triumph with Barry Loftus

In this powerful episode of Below the Surface, we sit down with endurance athlete, business mentor, and mindset master Stevey J.In 2015, he became the first person in Ireland to complete an epic journey of 100 marathons in 100 consecutive days.He has also completed another epic adventure by running the entire country of Ireland and setting a new world record in the process of 60 ultra marathons in 60 days.Stevey shares a raw, no-holds-barred account of what it really takes to break through pain, fear, and limitation.He opens up about the spiritual turning point that changed his life at 22, the physical and emotional toll of extreme endurance, and how he helps others transform their lives through mindset, structure, faith, and service.Please follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

You might think you know Paul Mort — the high-energy speaker, no-BS business coach, and straight-talking voice in the world of personal growth. But in this Q+A we take a slightly different route. We asked the deep questions and Paul delivered. The answers go beyond the typical business chat and into the stuff that actually matters — fear, failure, self-trust, sobriety, emotional healing, and what it really means to build a values-driven life.Paul opens up in a way that’s unfiltered, funny, and unexpectedly emotional — sharing stories that rarely make it into interviews and reflecting on the inner battles that shaped his journey.This is not your standard Paul Mort conversation. And that’s exactly why you need to hear it.For more from Paulwww.paulmort.ukPlease follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

This week on Below the Surface, we sit down with James Carty — a Garda sergeant, dad of three, and the current chairperson of Down Syndrome Mayo.James opens up about the emotional reality of serving in the guards, from delivering life-altering news to witnessing trauma first-hand — and the toll it takes on mental health. But this isn’t just a story about the job. It’s about love, family, and fierce resilience.He shares the powerful journey of his daughter Iris, who was born with Down syndrome — and how she’s defied every expectation. We talk about medical bias, redefining “normal,” and why they refused to accept limits on what she could achieve.We also dive into James’ personal mission to raise funds through extreme endurance events, including five back-to-back HYROX challenges. He shares how fitness became his outlet, and how his wife and kids continue to be his greatest team. Whether you’re a parent, a public servant, or someone who needs a dose of grounded inspiration — this episode will stay with you.Please follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

Cormac Ryan joins us this week in a very personal episode to talk about everything from navigating health scares in his teens to cycling thousands of kilometres across Europe and the U.S.Cormac shares the lessons that only hardship can teach you. We dive into identity, internal drive, and the uncomfortable truth about what most people get wrong when chasing fulfilment.He talks honestly about finding strength in consistency over intensity, discovering joy in the quiet moments, and why doing something hard might be the very thing that brings you peace.Whether you’re an athlete, a dreamer, or someone at a crossroads—this conversation will challenge the way you think about failure, growth, and what’s actually worth striving for.Please follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

In this powerful and vulnerable episode of Below the Surface, we sit down with Shauna Diamond to explore her journey through:Growing up in Ireland in a single-parent household during a time when divorce was taboo.How her childhood shaped her resilience and drive.Struggles with anxious attachment, abandonment issues, and self-worth in early relationships.The profound impact of losing her mother during the Covid-19 pandemic.How grief manifested physically — and the transformative effect of alternative therapies like bio-energy healing.Her career in mental health and suicide prevention through Ireland’s Family Resource Centres.A deep dive into social prescribing and why it’s a game changer for community wellbeing.Competing in (and winning!) a bodybuilding competition — and the mental, physical, and emotional toll it took.Her journey to self-belief, thanks to her supportive partner and personal growth.For more on the incredible work she does - Visit this websitePlease follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Barry Loftus shares his incredible story of loss, resilience, and transformation. From the devastating experience of being told his unborn child might not survive, to running one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons, Barry opens up about the mental strength, emotional toll, and growth that shaped his journey.For more from Barry - strandfitness.ie on InstagramPlease follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

Our guest this week takes us through his experience of addiction in the form of alcohol and substance abuse and near death experience in Death Valley that lead to a long rehabilitation journey physically, mentally and spiritually.He shares with us the interaction with a homeless mother and child on Christmas Day that shaped the foundation that he runs today - Prosperity In People and how this work helps others overcome adversity. This is an incredible episode and we hope you enjoy.For more from Padraic and PIP Foundation, click here Please follow, comment and review.Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

In this compelling episode, Denise shares the powerful story of how she turned to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to help her autistic son.Join us as we explore:What led Denise to consider hyperbaric treatmentWhat people should know before exploring this therapy.Denise’s journey is one of hope, curiosity, and the courage to try something unconventional.For more about Denise and her service visit their InstagramPlease follow, comment and review if you enjoyed!Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

We meet Imthiaz — a man who once lived his life in the UK drug scene and spent over three years in prison.Now a coach, mentor, and business owner, Imthaiz shares how he rewired his life and now helps others do the same. We explore personal growth, societal pressures on men, the cost of ambition, and the courage it takes to evolve.This is an unfiltered, thought provoking episode. For more from Imthiaz - Visit his Instagram Please follow, comment and review if you enjoyed!Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠⁠Thank you for listening

This week we are joined by Jen who shares with us her experience with Anorexia.TW: Eating DisordersWe're so grateful to Jen for sharing this with us in such an important episode. Please follow, comment and review if you enjoyed!Make sure you're following us over on Instagram for more updates and content - ⁠⁠@belowthesurfacepodcast⁠⁠Thank you for listening