BeBelle Podcast with Sian Horn

"At some point you have to stop climbing the mountain... and enjoy the view."

This week, Sian is joined by broadcaster, health coach and author Clare McKenna for a refreshing conversation about ambition, burnout, wellness and what it really means to build a life you don't need a break from.

Clare shares her journey from marketing to broadcasting, the years of saying yes to every opportunity, juggling live radio with motherhood, and the moment she realised that constantly chasing "more" wasn't bringing her any closer to happiness.

Together, they explore why wellness has become so complicated, how social media has changed our relationship with ourselves, and why feeling well matters so much more than looking a certain way.

If you've ever felt like you're constantly striving, comparing or wondering if you're doing enough, this episode is a gentle reminder that maybe success isn't about climbing higher - maybe it's about finally enjoying where you are.

✨ In this episode:
Growing up in Howth and finding confidence through creativity
Why she never felt she fit the traditional school system
Taking the leap into broadcasting
How asking for help changed the course of her career
The reality of freelancing and building a media career
Juggling motherhood, live radio and burnout
Why saying yes to everything isn't sustainable
Redefining success in midlife
Learning to stop chasing "more"
What wellness really means
Letting go of diet culture and food rules
Raising children with a healthier relationship to body image
Small daily habits that genuinely improve wellbeing
Why self-compassion is the foundation of good health

You can find Clare here: Website | Instagram
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"We don't talk about ageing with children - but children notice everything."

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, ageing, memory loss, caregiving, grief, and family illness.

This week's conversation is a deeply moving one about family, memory, love and the difficult realities that so many families quietly navigate behind closed doors.

I'm joined by primary school teacher and dementia advocate Aimee Owens, who shares her family's journey after her father was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

As a teacher of over 20 years, Aimee sees first-hand how important grandparents are in children's lives. Yet when dementia enters a family, many children are left trying to make sense of confusing emotions and changes without the language or support they need.

We talk about growing up in Monaghan, the pressure of perfectionism, family life, music, teaching and the life-changing moment when Aimee realised something wasn't quite right with her dad.

This is a conversation about compassion, resilience and why we need to create more space for honest conversations about dementia - especially with children.

✨ In this episode:
Growing up in Monaghan with three older sisters
Music, competitions and the pressure of perfectionism
Becoming a primary school teacher
Missing out on her dream college course and learning resilience
Why failure isn't really failure
The early signs of her father's dementia
Living with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's
How dementia affects family relationships
Supporting a parent who no longer recognises you
The role grandparents play in children's lives
Why we need to talk to children about ageing and illness
Caring for loved ones with dignity and compassion
The emotional impact on spouses and caregivers
Writing a children's book about dementia
Learning to be kinder to yourself

You can find Aimee here: Instagram | Interview with Claire Bryne on Newstalk
You can find Aisling Ní Domhnaill here and Sound Quality Gifts here.
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You need to be training in your 50s for your 60s."

This week's episode is a little different - and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

I'd been following Frank Murphy online for quite some time before inviting him onto the podcast. His videos are practical, encouraging and full of simple advice about staying healthy as we age. What I wasn't expecting was the story behind the man.

Frank is a longevity fitness coach, former Taekwondo World Champion, Tai Chi instructor and lifelong student of movement. But this conversation goes far beyond exercise.

We talk about growing up in Cork, the environments that shape us, the impact of violence and rejection, how one life-changing assault led him into martial arts, and why his passion today is helping people stay strong, mobile and independent as they age.

At 70 years old, Frank is still training, still learning and still proving that ageing doesn't have to mean slowing down.

This is a conversation about resilience, curiosity, purpose, movement and making the small daily choices that shape our future.

✨ In this episode:
Growing up in Cork in the 1950s and 60s
The power of environment and community
"Crab mentality" and why people resist change
Working as a carpenter and navigating drinking culture
A violent assault that changed the course of his life
Discovering Taekwondo and becoming a champion
The role revenge played in his early motivation
Why success isn't about money
Self-worth, authenticity and comparison culture
Living and working in the UK during the Troubles
Why wellness is more than fitness
Strength training, mobility and ageing well
Building independence as we get older
The importance of staying curious and continuing to learn
His philosophy: Stay Strong, Eat Well & Move Better

You can find Frank here: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“This is me. If you don't like it, here it is. I'm not changing.”

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic abuse, suicide, grief and mental health.

This week's guest is someone who embodies resilience, authenticity and the courage to start again.

I'm joined by Lisa Lawless - content creator, entrepreneur, podcast host, wife, mother and the voice behind Bras Off and Breathe. Through her work, Lisa encourages women to let go of what no longer serves them, embrace who they truly are, and live with more freedom, confidence and joy.

In this deeply honest conversation, Lisa shares her journey through domestic abuse, grief, menopause, entrepreneurship and self-discovery. We talk about the devastating loss of her brother, the healing power of community, and why showing up authentically online has become such an important part of her mission.

This episode is ultimately about courage - the courage to leave, to begin again, to grieve, and to finally become yourself.

✨ In this episode:
Growing up in Dublin as one of five siblings
Leaving school at 16 and becoming self-employed
Starting her first business in fashion
Surviving an abusive and controlling relationship
The moment she knew she had to leave
Meeting her husband and building a life together
Entrepreneurship, childcare and family businesses
Losing her brother to suicide
Grief, counselling and navigating loss
Menopause and feeling unseen
Why she started Lisa's Vistas
Social media, authenticity and belonging
Learning to stop people-pleasing
The importance of showing women what's real
Her plans for the Bras Off and Breathe podcast and future projects

You can find Lisa here: Instagram | TikTok | Listen to Bras Off and Breathe on all major podcast platforms including Acast and Spotify | Email
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube
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This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of mental health struggles and pornography addiction.

What happens when the version of yourself the world ‘loves’… isn’t really you?

This week on BeBelle, Sian sits down with wellness coach and retreat facilitator Gavin Meenan for one of the most raw and powerful conversations of the season.

From childhood bullying and deep sensitivity to addiction, shame, performance and self-hatred, Gavin opens up about the years he spent hiding behind a carefully constructed persona - becoming the “funny”, “confident” and “entertaining” version of himself that he thought people would accept.
But beneath it all was someone struggling deeply.

Gavin shares the life-changing moments that forced him to confront who he really was, including a tragic car accident at 18, addiction, public humiliation, fatherhood, therapy, and the healing journey that eventually brought him back to himself.

In this episode:
Growing up highly sensitive and being bullied throughout school
Creating a “fake” personality to feel accepted
Why vulnerability felt dangerous
The pressure of performing masculinity
Addiction, shame and using alcohol to numb pain
The tragic car accident that changed everything
Fatherhood, self-worth and losing his identity
Public exposure, humiliation and rebuilding himself
Therapy, healing and learning to stop hiding
Why suffering can become the doorway to transformation

You can find Gavin here: Website | Instagram | TikTok
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.

Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.

Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube
____

This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.

Discover more at skinformulas.ie.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.