OPERATION TRANSFORMATION RECAP: The final farewell to this year’s fantastic leaders

The two big events, the 5k and grand finale show that signify the end of Operation Transformation, have just been completed as I write, and I am still on a high.

5k Run in Phoenix Park

Some 5,000 men, women, children and dogs turned up for the 5k run and walk which was held on Saturday, February 23 — the weekend before this year’s Operation Transformation grand finale show.

This is such a wonderful event as the leaders get the opportunity to met so many well wishers who thank them for their inspiration.

Each leader has a support runner. Karl was with Paul, I was with Pam, Kathryn was with Siobhan, and Aoife and Dr Sumi were with Cathal.

All crossed the line safely. Myself and Pam rocked in at 34 minutes. This was the time from a women who was a smoker and never did a 5k run before... and changed over just eight weeks. She’s inspiring.

As we ran along, people praised her, saying: “ Pam, you made me give up the fags, and I am still off them”; Pam, you inspired me and I have lost a stone and two lbs”.

Jean didn’t run due to her pregnancy, which she announced a couple of weeks ago, but she started us all off and was there at the end to cheer us all in.

I can never underestimate the population health impact of Operation Transformation to nudge people towards healthier and happier lives.

It was also great to see our ex-leaders David Cryan and Noleen Lynam, who showed up looking only gorgeous.

At the end of the run is the big goodbye as the leaders are whisked away from their families to be groomed, waxed, have their hair coloured and styled and be appropriately fussed upon in all manners.

The next time the families see the leaders is the following night in the RTÉ studios, where they strut our catwalk with new insights and soaring confidence... tinged with some nerves.

The Grand Finale

All the leaders and experts are in RTÉ TV studios for the final show. I can’t say we missed the castle, but the change was brilliant. Everyone was buzzing, hair and make up flying and that was just on Karl Henry! There were final words exchanged quietly, even during the most excited moments.

Just as we have touched the leaders’ lives, the leaders have touched ours. It’s about the power of connection and relationships. We are at our best when we support each other to get to a goal.

The leaders looked brilliant during the grand finale show — and the experts scrubbed up well too!

For behind the scenes photos and videos, check out my Facebook page — Dr Eddie Murphy Psychologist.

Pamela Swayne. Age: 36. Youghal, Co Cork

Pamela shone in her blue sparkly dress that reflected her lively, warm personality. She has a wonderful, infectious laugh that can be heard a mile away. She is a treasure, and has a heart as big as Youghal and a life and family that is filled with love, fun and a little healthy chaos.

Siobhán O'Brien.

Age: 30. Clonsilla, Dublin 15

Siobhan looked divine, sexy and sophisticated in an incredible black dress. She showed her determination right throughout the process and never failed to meet her weight target.

Her leadership capabilities showed through and Siobhan inspired herself, her school community and had a ripple effect that inspired thousands of others. As a teacher and role model she excelled on this year’s Operation Transformation.

Paul Murphy. Age: 41. Tubbercurry, Co Sligo

Paul had the coolest outfit for years that I saw on the guys; he looked smart, casual and funky. God, I wish I could have an eye like that — or someone could dress me!

For Paul, his OT shift was from a place where work, work and more work was his top priority; to one where, with his lovely wife Sonya and children, there is now a work-life balance. Paul was the biggest challenge for me, as he put everyone else’s needs first.

For me, I love seeing the fun now in Paul’s life. I encourage Paul to maintain that fun. It’s catch up playtime for the 12-year-old Paul.

Cathal Gallagher.

Age: 48. Ballyshannon, Co Donegal

Cathal rocked the finale. His flat cap was so cool, I want one of those!

Losing over three stone 10lbs, Cathal knows that his health journey continues and we encourage him to become a great ambassador for Operation Transformation.

Cathal discovered the trigger to his weight gain was untreated PTSD from a work-related accident when he was just 18 years old. That recurrent stress can impact on him by triggering him to self-soothe using food and alcohol.

His wife Agi and daughter Maja were there to cheer him on at the finale, and Maja stole the show backstage.

Jean Tierney. Age: 33. From Bruff, Co Limerick

What can I say? Jean’s was the best story of Operation Transformation. We lost a leader for the best reasons — a pregnancy after the tragic loss of a baby. Presenter Kathryn Thomas put it so beautifully on the night. As well as the adversity Jean experienced, she expounded positivity and hope for so many tat have experienced profound loss.

Through witnessing Jean people can be liberated from pain and hope and light can enter into their life, that loss is one chapter bit not a whole lifetime.

Jean offered hope and hope is the greatest gift of them all. We all need hope in our lives.

And, by the way, they all hit and exceeded their weight targets and loss more than 10% of their body weight over the eight weeks of the programme.

Dr Eddie Murphy runs a psychological and counselling service in Portarlington, Co Laois. If you are organising a speaker or training for school, community, voluntary, sporting or work groups, call Dr Eddie on 087 1302899 or go to www.facebook.com/ dr.eddie.murphy.psychologist