Get Better With Chris: Addiction, self-worth and starting again
This week on The IMAGE Wellness Project, Dominique is joined by Chris Connolly - also known as Get Better With Chris. Chris grew up in Fatima Mansions. He struggled with addiction, self-worth, and ended up in a psychosis fuelled by cocaine and alcohol during lockdown. That was his rock bottom, but it also marked the beginning of his rebuild.Since 2020, Chris has slowly pieced his life back together with help from professionals - reconnecting with himself, his family, and his beautiful daughter Lucy. His journey is one of resilience, deep self-reflection, and hard-won transformation.In this moving conversation, Chris opens up about what addiction really looks like, what helped him come back to himself, and why honesty, and showing up exactly as you are, are the most important tools for change.It’s a story about what happens when you finally stop running from yourself, and start running for something greater.Huge thanks to Activia and Irish Life Health for sponsoring The IMAGE Wellness Project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48:11
Claire Walsh: Holding your breath to find your strength
Freediver Claire Walsh has been to the depths, both underwater and within herself. In this powerful episode, she sits down with Dominique to talk about the journey from living a life she thought she should want, to building a life that truly fits. They dive into grief, body image, fear as a shape-shifter, and the quiet strength it takes to surrender when things don’t go as planned. Claire’s story is one of courage, resilience and deep trust in the body, in the process, and in the unknown.The IMAGE Wellness Project is sponsored by Activia @activiauk and Irish Life Health @irishlifehealth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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50:18
Deliciously Ella: Wellness rooted in real life
In this special live episode of The IMAGE Wellness Project, recorded at WellFest, host Dominique McMullan is joined by Ella Mills - founder of Deliciously Ella - for an honest conversation about wellness that's rooted in real life. From navigating burnout to building a business, from motherhood to mindset, Ella shares the rituals and reflections that have helped her stay grounded. Together they unpack how the wellness space has evolved, how to set boundaries with compassion, and why small acts of care matter most. This is a calming, inspiring listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the noise, and ready to reconnect with what really feels good.Huge thanks to Activia and Irish Life Health for sponsoring The IMAGE Wellness Project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:42
Brian Pennie: The power of presence
Dominique McMullan sat down with Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, PhD, author, speaker, star of RTE’s “Hooked” and former heroin addict turned mindset expert - for a conversation about transformation…not just in the external sense, but on a deep, internal level.His story is about more than overcoming addiction; it’s about waking up to life, breaking free from unconscious patterns, and learning how to truly live. In this chat, he explains how to step out of that mental hamster wheel and into a state of stillness, presence, and genuine aliveness. Dominique and Brian dove into everything from the real meaning of resilience, to why we don’t have ‘problems’, we have ‘thinking problems’, and how to break free from patterns that keep us stuck.Brian’s insights will stay with you long after you press pause.Huge thanks to Activia and Irish Life Health for sponsoring The IMAGE Wellness Project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:57
Jennifer Rock, Loretta Dignam, Erica Drum & Sarah King: The Wellness Project guide to WellFest
With WellFest taking place this weekend, Dominique McMullan - IMAGE Media’s Editorial Director - managed to sneak in chats with some of this year’s headliners, including Sarah King (Head Of WellFest), Jennifer Rock (aka The Skin Nerd), TV Chef Erica Drum and Loretta Dignam, Founder of The Menopause Hub.If you’re heading to the festival, you can think of this episode of The IMAGE Wellness Project as your ultimate bucket‑list planner. You’ll hear what’s new this year, the acts not to miss, and all the essential insider tips to make the most of the weekend. If you can’t make it in person this year, don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered, this episode is like a mini WellFest all in itself - packed with tips, insights and real talk from the pros. Erica Drum shares family‑friendly recipes that are quick, nutritious, and delicious. Loretta Dignam busts some stubborn menopause myths and Jennifer Rock, aka “The Skin Nerd,” tells us how she’s stayed so resilient throughout a year filled with personal highs and lows. The IMAGE Wellness Project is sponsored by Activia and Irish Life Health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At IMAGE, we’ve always believed that wellness is more just than a passing trend. It’s personal. It’s powerful. It’s something we need to approach with intention. In creating The IMAGE Wellness Project: we wanted to make a space that would feel like a deep breath in an increasingly loud world. And now as we enter Season Three, that mission feels more important than ever.For us, wellness is not about green juices or morning routines (although we love both). It’s about giving women the tools, the stories, access to the experts and the community to help them feel empowered and less alone. Most importantly, it’s about radical self-compassion. Slowing down. Starting again. And again. And again. Knowing when to say “Yes,” and when to say “Enough.” It’s about reminding each other that we’re worth the time, the energy, and the care. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Follow along, and put yourself back on the priority list. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland