I’m Ryan McDaid, an entrepreneur driven by curiosity and a passion for growth. Join me as I dive into thought-provoking conversations about life, business, exis...
#28 Overweight to TV Chef: Changing My Diet Gave Me Attention, Courage & Belief to Achieve: Eoin Sheehan
Eoin Sheehan joined me for a raw, honest conversation about how food changed everything in his life. From chasing a career in rugby and studying chemical engineering to accidentally building a meal prep business — it all started with trying to lose weight and cooking a few dinners for friends.We dive into the struggles of starting a business while still in college, burnout, panic attacks, and what it’s like to feel completely overwhelmed trying to make it all work. Eoin shares the truth behind the highs and lows — from crying in the kitchen to landing a spot on national TV as a chef.We also talk about body image, validation, confidence, disordered eating, and learning how to have a healthy relationship with food. There’s so much in here — about identity, purpose, presence, pressure, and finding balance again.It’s a conversation about much more than food. It’s about doing something real with your life.00:00 Catch-Up & Creating Content07:18 Early Beginnings13:30 Why Food?15:51 How Losing Weight Made me Attractive20:12 Starting Country Munch27:32 Falling Apart34:22 Starting Country Munch Over38:14 How I started to Look after Myself41:22 Why Food is so important to me47:53 Having the Courage to Try TV51:46 The Importance of Your Brand59:59 The Benefits of Living a Simple Life01:06:16 Quick Fire Question Round
--------
1:14:08
#27 Redefining Success: Why Working Less Works Better: Ross Culliton
What if working harder isn’t the answer? In this episode, I sit down with Ross Culliton, a former Big Four consultant turned entrepreneur, who shares the hard-hitting truths about success, failure, and finding balance.Ross opens up about how he built a business, lost it all, and why that failure became his greatest asset. We dive into the myths around hustle culture, why most people can’t do more than a few hours of deep work, and the unexpected ways his mindset shifted along the way.We also talk about ego, self-doubt, and whether caring what people think is holding you back from doing what you’re really meant to do. Ross shares powerful insights on why he stopped chasing numbers and started focusing on impact—and how that shift changed everything.If you've ever questioned your definition of success, felt burned out, or struggled with setbacks, this episode is for you.00:00 Intro00:53 Early Lessons in Business07:55 What Changed Everything16:20 Quitting My Job to Start a Business22:24 Understanding Failures26:16 The Role of Self Doubt30:41 Why College Failed Me36:31 Changing my Mindset Changed Everything41:03 The Importance of Looking After the Environment47:07 Letting go of Caring What Other People Think53:12 Why Setbacks are Your Greatest Teachers1:00:21 Reflections
--------
1:04:49
#26 What If Everything Went Right? Changing Your Life’s Narrative: Sharon Fitzmaurice
Sharon, who has been Ryan’s Therapist, Mentor & Guru for years is back for Round No 2.In this deep and powerful conversation, we explore the silent force that holds so many of us back—judgment, fear, and self-doubt. Why do we let fear dictate our lives? Why do we silence ourselves to avoid rejection? And most importantly, how can we break free?Sharon shares her raw and transformative journey, revealing how the pain of the past shaped her and how embracing her authentic self led to true freedom. We dive into the origins of the inner critic, the fear of judgment, and how these stories keep us from stepping into who we truly are. This episode is an invitation to challenge the narrative you've been telling yourself, to shift from fear to love, and to lean into the possibility of what could go right.If you’ve ever felt trapped by self-doubt, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone and that your story is still being written. It’s time to stop holding yourself back and start showing up as your true self.00:00 Greetings03:00 - Self Doubt Creeping In09:00 - Opening up for the first time15:25 - Understanding Judgement26:39 - How to overcome Judgement33:02 - Using Fear as a Motivator38:36 - Changing a Negative Outcome to Positive43:53 - The Difference between Fear & Love49.19 - Why we need Fear57:04 - Why its never too late
--------
1:09:54
#25 Harry Girvan: Avoiding Burnout, Staying Balanced & Growing in Business and Life
I welcome one of my good friends, Harry Girvan. An Entrepreneur from Belfast, Founder of Mantis, President of EO, a Husband and Father of 2. Born and Raised in Belfast, we explore his childhood and his story of survival instinct. The complexity of scaling businesses globally, the importance of building a strong team, looking after yourself and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Exploring themes of work ethic, personal growth, and the balance between business and family life, this episode also highlights the impactful role of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) in shaping the speaker's entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone seeking inspiration, this conversation offers a treasure trove of insights on resilience, leadership, and the significance of staying true to your values.00:00 Intro09:46 Early Business Lessons13:16 Lessons from the Past16:54 Building a Resilient Business24:33 Leadership and Team Building30:16 Find your Tribe32:11 The Power of Experience Sharing32:56 The Loneliness of Leadership33:43 Building a Supportive Community35:33 Managing Multiple Roles36:51 Scaling and Vision46:38 How to Listen54:34 Work Ethic
--------
59:39
#24 Gunter Pauli: Business Reinvented through Nature and how change is possible for People & Planet
Gunter Pauli, a renowned Belgian entrepreneur and pioneer of the Blue Economy, discusses the critical importance of sustainability and the urgent need for actionable change. Pauli highlights the flaws in current business models and encourages a shift towards a more holistic, nature-inspired approach. He shares his visionary ideas on organic farming, biodegradable plastics, and interconnected systems thinking, all aimed at creating a better balance between humanity and nature. Throughout the discussion, Pauli emphasizes the significance of action over analysis and the necessity of learning from nature to build resilient and sustainable communities. The episode concludes with reflections on education, cultural wisdom, and the enduring importance of keeping our inner child alive.00:00 Introduction: The Need for Change01:59 Personal Journey04:31 The Role of Individuals in Change06:56 Leadership10:21 Business and Social Responsibility13:03 Innovations in Bioplastics31:05 The Future of Plastics40:50 The Problem with Conformism43:29 Conflicts in Organic Farming45:09 The Business Model of Organic Farming49:22 Innovative Uses of Organic Waste01:01:45 Learning from Nature01:09:21 The Wisdom of Indigenous Cultures01:16:56 The Importance of Staying Connected to Nature
I’m Ryan McDaid, an entrepreneur driven by curiosity and a passion for growth. Join me as I dive into thought-provoking conversations about life, business, existence, spirituality, psychedelics, and the natural world. Together, we’ll explore how we, as individuals and as humanity, can evolve, thrive, and create a better world.
Ireland