10forty

This week on The 10forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr Dan Fitzpatrick, former Irish Defence Forces member, mental health advocate, researcher and author of The Cognitive Gorilla: Reclaiming Authorship Over the Mind.

With 22 years of military service behind him, Dan's career has been anything but conventional. From starting out working on the doors to applying to become a Naval Service officer, his journey eventually led him to joining the Irish Air Corps as a recruit.

Following his initial military training, Dan joined the Military Fire Service, where he was promoted after just three years. He later trained as a medic before moving into the Defence Forces' Personnel Support Service (PSS), where his interest in mental health, wellbeing, and supporting fellow soldiers began to shape the next chapter of his career.

Determined to challenge traditional approaches and improve how mental health was addressed within the military, Dan returned to education, completing a degree, a master's qualification, and ultimately a PhD at Trinity College Dublin.

His doctoral research focused on mental health and help-seeking behaviours within the Irish Defence Forces, examining the barriers that can prevent military personnel from seeking support when they need it most.

Throughout our conversation, we explore Dan's experiences in the Defence Forces, the challenges of changing established systems and his mission to develop better mental health care pathways for serving military personnel.

Now retired from the Defence Forces, Dan continues his work advocating for mental health, personal development and greater awareness of how our minds influence our everyday lives.

He is also the author of The Cognitive Gorilla: Reclaiming Authorship Over the Mind, a book that explores how our thoughts, emotions and automatic behaviours shape the way we experience the world. Through themes of self-awareness, emotional regulation and personal responsibility, Dan encourages readers to challenge their thinking patterns and take greater control of how they respond to life's challenges.

We also discuss the importance of education, resilience, personal growth and why having the courage to challenge the status quo can make a lasting difference.

From working the doors to 22 years of military service, completing a PhD, and becoming an author, Dan's story is one of resilience, determination, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Whether you're interested in military life, mental health, personal development or simply hearing an inspiring career journey, this is a conversation worth listening to.

Connect with Dr Dan Fitzpatrick:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-dan-fitzpatrick-58963430a/

Visit Dan's website or purashe his book
https://thecognitivegorilla.ie/

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best in class talent across Ireland and internationally.

https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long or short term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.

https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25
______________

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a business, side project or industry?
📧 info@10forty.com
🎙 Sponsorship opportunities: info@10forty.com

This week on the 10forty Podcast, I’m joined by Rachel Nolan, Founder of RXR Media, to talk about social media, content creation, personal branding, and what it really takes to stay visible online.

In a world where businesses are expected to be active online 24/7, consistently creating content and managing multiple social media platforms can quickly become a full-time job. That’s where Rachel and RXR Media come in.

Rachel’s career journey has been anything but traditional. She started her working life in the deli of her local corner shop before moving into retail and later returning to education to complete a Bachelor of Laws. Her interest in law and investigation also led her to complete a Private Investigator course, adding another interesting chapter to an already varied career journey.

However, it was through working as a virtual assistant that Rachel discovered a passion for helping businesses build their online presence — a journey that ultimately led her to launch RXR Media.

Today, Rachel works with businesses across a range of industries, providing outsourced social media management and content creation designed to help brands stay visible, connect with their audience and generate new opportunities online.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why so many businesses struggle to stay consistent on social media
• The benefits of outsourcing social media management and content creation
• How to build a strong online presence without spending your entire day online
• Why personal branding is becoming increasingly important for business owners
• Content strategies that actually generate engagement — and the ones that don’t
• How to turn social media visibility into genuine business opportunities
• How RXR Media helps businesses stay visible, relevant and top of mind
• Rachel’s journey from working in a local deli and retail to studying law and completing a Private Investigator course
• How she ultimately found her passion in social media and went on to build RXR Media

Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or professional looking to improve your online presence, build your personal brand or get more from social media, this episode is packed with practical advice and actionable insights.

🎙️ The 10forty Podcast — real conversations about careers, business, entrepreneurship and the different paths people take to build successful careers.

This week on The 10forty Podcast, I’m joined by a true Dublin legend — Mattress Mick, Michael Flynn.

From humble beginnings selling bottled gas and costume jewellery, Mick built his business from the ground up. Starting out on Pearse Street, he laid the foundations for what would become one of Ireland’s most recognisable brands.

We dive into his entrepreneurial journey, the early struggles he faced and the mindset that kept him moving forward — even when things didn’t go to plan.

Mick shares how bold, unconventional marketing — from posters plastered across the city to headline-grabbing campaigns — helped him stand out, stay relevant and turn attention into sales.

💼 In this episode, we cover:
• Mick’s early hustle and first ventures
• The marketing moves that made him impossible to ignore
• How he turned setbacks — even court summonses — into opportunities
• Why you can copy success, but there’ll only ever be one Mattress Mick

A must-listen for anyone interested in business, branding, marketing, sales, or thinking differently.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best in class talent across Ireland and internationally.

https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long or short term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.

https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25
______________

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a business, side project or industry?
📧 info@10forty.com
🎙 Sponsorship opportunities: info@10forty.com

Today we speak to Noel O’Brien.

This is an incredible story.

From finding a home in Drimnagh Boxing Club… to building a multinational company.

Boxing became a huge part of Noel’s life early on and he credits the sport with developing many of the characteristics that would later help him build and lead businesses.

Discipline. Resilience. Confidence. Work ethic.

Noel went on to become the Director of a successful electrical company — experiencing the booms and busts that come with business and entrepreneurship.

But eventually, Noel turned back to boxing.

After returning to Ireland, he decided to go professional chasing a dream that had always been there.

That obsession with improvement, discipline and performance eventually led Noel to ask a bigger question:

How do you get the absolute best from training?

That question became the foundation of Altipeak — now a multinational company operating at the forefront of performance, recovery and healthcare innovation.

Because what Noel is working on today is about far more than fitness.

It’s about health.

In this episode, we talk about:

School days and life lessons through boxing

Building character through sport

The booms and busts of business

Returning to boxing and going pro

And building Altipeak from the ground up

This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention and constantly pushing yourself to another level.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best in class talent across Ireland and internationally.

https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long or short term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.

https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25
______________

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a business, side project or industry?
📧 info@10forty.com
🎙 Sponsorship opportunities: info@10forty.com

Today on the 10forty Podcast, we’re joined by Jamie Griffin.

Now, just before we get into it — this episode is raw.

We cover some sensitive topics, including tough times, losing friends, and struggles with mental health… so just a heads up before you listen to the full episode.

Jamie’s story is real.

From time spent in Prision… to working on building sites… to now working in personal training — it’s been a journey shaped by setbacks, growth, and hard lessons.

We talk about hitting low points… losing the ego… and what it really takes to rebuild.

But what stands out most… is why Jamie decided to speak up.

Why he chose to share his story publicly — and how passionate he is about supporting others who are going through similar struggles.

At the centre of it all is family.

Jamie talks about how having children changed everything — and how being there for them is now the priority.

This is an honest conversation about accountability, growth, and using your story to help someone else.

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists helping businesses hire best in class talent across Ireland and internationally.

https://www.tdtalent.ie/

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, with modern facilities, long or short term options, and complete peace of mind when space matters.

https://nesta.ie/business-storage/

Get 25% off your first month’s storage using code CS25
______________

HERE WE GO.

Want to share your own career journey on the podcast — or shine a light on a business, side project or industry?
📧 info@10forty.com
🎙 Sponsorship opportunities: info@10forty.com