The Natural Resilience Podcast

In this powerful episode, I sit down with former world-title contender, boxing manager and CEO, Jamie Conlan, for an in-depth conversation about resilience, identity, leadership and navigating life at the highest levels of sport and business.

Jamie opens up about:
Growing up in West Belfast and how those early experiences shaped his mindset

The influence of key figures who helped guide him into the boxing world

His rise through the professional ranks and the realities of fighting for a world title

The emotional and physical demands of elite-level sport

Transitioning from athlete to manager, promoter and CEO

The lessons he takes from the ring into decision-making, leadership and business strategy

This episode is packed with insights for founders, leaders and anyone navigating high-pressure environments. Jamie’s journey is a blueprint for reinvention: how to grow, evolve and lead. 

This episode was recorded live at our "Breaking Bread, Building Connections" event. If you want to attend the next Breaking Bread, Building Connections event, join the waiting list here: 👉 https://businessnetwork.scoreapp.com

The Natural Resilience Live Podcast takes place on 5th March in Balmoral Hotel, Belfast where we will be interviewing national broadcaster, Cate Conway and former world boxing champion, Ryan Burnett. Tickets are available here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1691771808019?aff=oddtdtcreator

We would love it if if you could subscribe to our Youtube Channel so that we can continue to bring you the best interviews from leaders in sport and business across Ireland.

Alternatively you can sign up to our email list here to get early access to all podcasts and live podcast events. Sign up here - https://naturalresilience.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e0f168ed12c7c6c7cac2df93a&id=d173d39fff

ABOUT BREAKING BREAD, BUILDING CONNECTIONS

A premium event series bringing together founders, CEOs and leaders for meaningful conversation, connection and community. Intimate fireside chats. Real stories. Real insights. High-end networking with heart. 

ABOUT NATURAL RESILIENCE

Founded by Ciaran May, Natural Resilience helps leaders and founders create more health, wealth and freedom through performance coaching, live events, retreats and the Fit Founders Club.

Paddy’s rise is extraordinary:

from a working-class lad in West Belfast,
to selling out the SSE Arena,
to performing to global audiences across America, Canada and Australia.

 But behind the success is a story few people truly know.

Paddy opens up about:

Growing up in West Belfast and the humour that shaped him
The altercation where he had his finger bitten off while working as a doorman
The mental health struggles that followed
How stepping onto a stage and making people laugh became the lifeline that pulled him back
His natural gift for storytelling and capturing the characters of working-class Belfast
The mindset, graft and courage it takes to go from local gigs to world tours
The role he played in the meteoric rise of the comedy scene in Ireland.

This conversation is equal parts hilarious and deeply human. It’s a reminder that resilience often grows in the darkest moments and that purpose can emerge from trauma when you keep showing up. Whether you're a founder, leader, creator or someone navigating your own adversity, Paddy’s story will resonate far beyond comedy.

👉 The Natural Resilience Podcast - Live event takes place in Balmoral Hotel, Belfast on 5th March 2026 where we will interview National Broadcaster Cate Conway and former world boxing champion Ryan Burnett live on stage.
You can tickets here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/169177...

⭐ ABOUT THE NATURAL RESILIENCE PODCAST Hosted by Ciaran May, the show explores human performance, resilience, leadership and mindset with some of the most inspiring figures from business, sport, entertainment and public life.

⭐ ABOUT PADDY McDONNELL Paddy is a comedian, writer and performer known for his storytelling genius and his ability to bring humour to the everyday realities of working-class life. His international tours and sell-out arena shows have cemented him as one of Ireland’s most compelling comedic voices.

In this episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, I sit down with Paul Doherty — founder of Foodstock and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast for a powerful conversation about leadership, community action, and tackling poverty with dignity.

Paul shares the story behind Foodstock — a charity born not from theory or policy, but from aligned action and a deep belief that communities thrive when people are educated, empowered, and invited to play their part.

In this conversation, we explore: Paul’s personal journey and what led him to found Foodstock The reality of food poverty in Belfast and across Northern Ireland Why dignity and education are central to meaningful social impact How community-led initiatives can create real, lasting change The role of leadership and responsibility in public service Balancing political office with grassroots action What resilience looks like when you’re serving others every day This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t just personal — it’s collective.

Paul’s work shows what’s possible when vision, values and action align in service of something bigger than ourselves. Whether you’re a founder, leader, public servant or someone who cares deeply about social impact, this conversation offers insight, inspiration and practical wisdom.

Here at Natural Resilience, we are huge supporters of Paul and Foodstock. We would urge you to check out the incredible work they do, on their website https://www.foodstockcharity.com/ And if you are in a position to do so, consider donating to their Christmas people so that no child in Belfast goes without a toy or warm Christmas dinner on the link here - https://foodstockbelfast.enthuse.com/cp/53f51/#!/

⭐ ABOUT THE NATURAL RESILIENCE PODCAST Hosted by Ciaran May, The Natural Resilience Podcast explores leadership, resilience, wellbeing and purpose through honest conversations with people making a meaningful impact in sport, business, community and public life.

In this extraordinary episode of The Natural Resilience Podcast, recorded live in front of 200 people at The Balmoral Hotel, Belfast, I sit down with former professional MMA athlete Ryan Curtis.
A man whose story is so unbelievable that, if it wasn’t fully documented, you would struggle to believe it happened.

In December 2023, Ryan suffered a catastrophic training accident that broke his neck and left him paralysed from the chest down. Doctors prepared him and his family for the worst.

The Irish MMA community rallied, believing Ryan would never walk again. But Ryan had other plans.

Through what he calls the power of the mind, and what many have described as a modern-day miracle, Ryan fought his way back — first to movement, then to standing, and eventually walking out of hospital. In this conversation, Ryan opens up about: The moment everything changed The fear, uncertainty and emotional trauma that followed The mindset practices he used during recovery The role of belief, focus and internal strength in healing The support of family, friends and the MMA community What paralysis taught him about life, identity and purpose Why he believes you can reprogram your mind to survive the unthinkable 

This is one of the most inspiring, raw and powerful human stories ever shared on the podcast. Ryan’s journey is a reminder of what the human spirit is capable of when confronted with the darkest of moments.

⭐ LIVE PODCAST ANNOUNCEMENT — MARCH 5TH, 2025 We return to The Balmoral Hotel for another major live podcast event on 5th March 2025, featuring two exceptional guests: 🎙️ Cate Conway — National Broadcaster 🎙️ Ryan Burnett — Former Unified World Champion Boxer It will be a night of impact, storytelling and connection.

 👉 Secure your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1691771808019?aff=oddtdtcreator

“Pressure Creates Leaders.”

In this powerful episode of the Natural Resilience Podcast, Ciaran May sits down with Linda Stinson. Linda is the CEO of Bellamianta. An entrepreneur, leader and proud mum. We sit down together to explore the realities of resilience, pressure and high performance in both business and life. Linda opens up about the defining moments that shaped her, the setbacks that nearly broke her, and the mindset she developed to lead, perform and succeed under pressure.
This is a conversation about navigating adversity, rebuilding confidence, and showing up as the kind of leader people trust. Whether you're a founder, business leader, athlete or someone pushing for more in life, Linda’s story delivers the kind of honesty and practical wisdom rarely shared publicly.

🔶 In this episode we cover: Why pressure is essential for growth How leaders are forged during difficult seasons Mindset strategies for resilience & high performance The hardest lessons Linda learned on her journey Balancing ambition, wellbeing & real-world expectations What it takes to succeed in sport AND business

🔶 About Linda Stinson Linda is a respected entrepreneur and innovator known for her ability to perform under pressure, lead teams through uncertainty, and translate resilience into business success. Her story represents courage, humility and relentless drive.

🔶 About Ciaran May / Natural Resilience Ciaran May is a leadership and resilience coach, keynote speaker and founder of Natural Resilience — a consultancy helping leaders, founders and organisations build sustainable high performance, wellbeing and clarity. Learn more: www.naturalresilience.co.uk

🔶 Join us at the next one This episode was recorded live in front of an audience of 200 people in Balmoral Hotel, Belfast. We are back for another live event on 5th March 2026 with two incredible guests in national broadcaster Cate Conway and former boxing world champion Ryan Burnett. You can get your early bird tickets on the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-natural-resilience-podcast-live-event-tickets-1691771808019?aff=oddtdtcreator