ISESA Podcast

In this super episode podcast, Bruce speaks with Adam Sweeney, a 22-year-old adventurer from Waterford. Adam is preparing to begin a two-month expedition with the objective of becoming the youngest Irish person to summit Mount Everest.

The discussion tracks his progression through increasingly demanding high-altitude environments, analyzing his experiences on Aconcagua in Argentina (6,961m) and the technically formidable Ama Dablam in Nepal (6,812m). We detail the physiological realities of acclimatization, the acute effects of hypoxia, and his specific strategies for managing nutrition and hydration when performing at altitude. Plus Bruce and Adam discuss the the psychological resilience required to navigate objective hazards like the Khumbu Icefall and the physiological breakdown that occurs within the "Death Zone" above 8,000m.

You can follow Adam's progress via his social media channels:

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

In this episode, Bruce sits down with Jonny McKenna, a recent South East Technological University (SETU) graduate who crossed the Atlantic to complete his MSc in Mental Performance at Ithaca College, New York. Jonny & Bruce go for a deep dive into the realities of pursuing graduate studies and building a sport science career in the USA.

Serving as a natural follow-up to our previous discussions on US graduate studies (season 02 episode 02), Jonny shares the proactive steps he took to secure his dual roles as a Teaching Assistant and Strength & Conditioning Coach which are funding his Masters. He proves that putting yourself out there, leveraging your network, and simply "asking the question" can unlock incredible career opportunities.

So, whether you are an undergraduate mapping out your future, a recent graduate looking for international opportunities, or a practitioner interested in the intersection of S&C and sport psychology, this episode is packed with highly relevant, actionable advice.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Preparations for the 2026 ISESA conference are well underway and today, Ciara Sinnott-O'Connor, e chair of this year's conference team brings us an update what we can expect and look forward to. Ciara outlines the shift in focus for this year's event, teasing us with potential keynotes on AI in sport, performing under pressure, and "bad science," while emphasizing that discipline-specific content will come from the attendees through symposia, workshops, and panel discussions. We also discuss opportunities for early-career researchers and students to present their work, the importance of networking events like the social evening at Sean's Bar, and encourage listeners to submit their proposals before the March 4th deadline.

https://isesa.ie/2026-conference
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People with severe mental illness face a staggering 15–20 year life expectancy gap compared to the general population. This is a scandal of inequality, largely driven by preventable physical health issues.
In this episode, Bruce sits down with Dr. Evan Matthews, researcher at SETU Waterford and co-author of the recent Lancet Psychiatry Commission report on lifestyle interventions in mental health care. They discuss the evidence behind the "Exercise Effect" pilot—a project integrating physical activity directly into mental health services—and how recent TU Rise funding is helping to drive this impactful research forward.

We are also joined by Sarah Dempsey, an Integrated Exercise Practitioner working on the ground in Wexford. Sarah shares the reality of helping service users take that first, daunting step into a gym, the strategy behind her staff "Lunch Crunch" classes, and the transformative effect the program has on lives.

Including powerful testimonials from service users Dylan, Sheila, and Shirley, this episode is a moving testament to the power of bridging the gap between physical and mental healthcare.

Topics:
The "Scandal" of the 15–20 year mortality gap.
Why the "Exercise Effect" integrates practitioners into clinical teams.
The difference between "Intrinsic" and "Autonomous" motivation.
Real-world success stories from Wexford.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us would struggle to drive a car for 12.5 hours without losing concentration. Caitriona Jennings ran for that long—averaging a blistering 7:34/mile pace to shatter the 100-mile World Record. In this episode, Bruce sits down with the 2012 Olympian and new ISESA board member to discuss one of the most remarkable feats in Irish endurance history. We explore how she balances her C Suite role (Vice President in Aircraft Trading) with elite ultra-running, often flying straight from a race finish line back to the office. We also revisit the heartbreak of London 2012, discussing how finishing last on a stress fracture became the foundation for the mental steel required to excel in the ultra-running world.

Key Topics Discussed:

The World Record: Breaking down the 12:37:04 run at Tunnel Hill—pacing strategy, fueling with high-carb gels, and the mental battle of the "figure of eight" course
The "Dual Career": How Caitriona manages 100-mile training weeks while holding down a high-pressure corporate role in aviation leasing
Resilience: Why the trauma of London 2012 ultimately prolonged her career and prepared her for the pain cave of ultra-running
Training Philosophy: How a mature athlete manages volume, avoids injury, and uses the weekend for "compounding" long runs
What's Next: The hunt for the "Green Number" at the Comrades Marathon 2026.

Links & Resources:

ISESA Website

Register for our January Webinar
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.