This week on The Mind Full Podcast, I’m joined by a man who wears many hats, Niall “Bressie” Breslin. From professional rugby player and frontman of The Blizzards to mental health advocate, podcaster, and author, Niall’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary.
In our conversation, we get stuck into the concept of “mental wealth” and how it shapes his work, from his charity A Lust for Life to his latest Audible series, Madman’s Hotel. Whether you’re here for the mindfulness tips, the inspiring journey, or a bit of everything, this episode has something for everyone.
The Mind Full Podcast is the latest offering in Dermot Whelan’s highly successful Mind Full adventure. The Mind Full Podcast is a home for people whose minds are…well, full! Dermot explores the topics that can help us to calm a frantic mind, understand our behaviour and explore our own potential.
With a new topic of focus each week in discussion with an exciting array of guests ranging from Hollywood stars, musicians and broadcasters to expert technical contributors from the world of science, listeners will get the best information to help them make positive changes in their lives and create that mental space to live their days with more joy.
As a certified meditation teacher, Dermot also presents his own expertise through weekly guided meditations and answering callers’ questions.
It’s serious transformation, without being too serious!
Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
My incredible guest this week has got a heart the size of a Great Dane, the determination of a Jack Russell, and the Instagram account that’s made millions ugly cry before breakfast!
Niall Harbison is a Tyrone man but later moved to Dublin where he became a chef with a career that saw him cooking for the likes of rock stars and business moguls often on luxury yachts! But beneath all of this lay troublesome deep seated mental health issues that culminated in chronic addiction and a traumatic breakdown in Thailand in 2020.
Niall’s journey since then is nothing short of fascinating and inspiring. Niall dedicates his time to rescuing dogs and is the author of not one but two wonderful books. First, there was ‘ – how street dogs taught me the meaning of life” and now—he’s back with a brand new book ‘Tina: The Dog Who Changed The World’, a follow-up that proves our greatest teachers can appear in the unlikeliest places. And they may love tennis balls.
In this lovely conversation you’ll hear how the high-adrenaline chef culture enabled his addiction, what he identified as his 3 drinking triggers, the pressures of a global online following, the celebs whose hearts his work has touched and how special dogs Tina, Hank the Tank & Cindy Crawford all carry stories that mirror his own healing journey.
If you’re new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!
Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don’t forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Niall Breslin, From Rugby to Rock to Mental Health Advocacy
For those unfamiliar with Bressie, his journey started in Mullingar, where he excelled in Gaelic football before playing professional rugby with Leinster. After leaving the pitch, he found his true calling in music, becoming the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for The Blizzards, while also releasing solo work.
Niall’s 2015 memoir, Me and My Mate Jeffrey, was a game-changer. Through his candid storytelling, he personified his anxiety disorder as “Jeffrey” and offered practical advice for navigating mental health challenges. The book resonated deeply, earning him the Irish Book Award for Popular Non-Fiction.
Since then, Niall has continued to lead important conversations about mental health, hosting podcasts like Where Is My Mind? and Wake Up/Wind Down, which combine mindfulness and meditation with everyday insights.
Shedding Light on Forgotten Stories: Madman’s Hotel
One of the most compelling parts of our chat was Niall’s Audible-exclusive series, Madman’s Hotel. This deeply personal project uncovers the history of St. Loman’s Asylum in Mullingar, delving into the lives of its patients, including Julia Leonard, whose tragic story highlights the failures of Ireland’s mental health system.
The series also explores the mysterious disappearance of 1,300 graves, using storytelling and documentary techniques to bring these forgotten narratives to life. It’s a stark reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still need to go, in addressing mental health care.
Why Mental Wealth Matters
For Niall, “mental wealth” is about more than individual well-being, it’s about creating systems that prioritise early intervention and meaningful support. Through his charity A Lust for Life and his academic work, including a PhD in mindfulness, he’s pushing for change at every level.
This conversation is packed with inspiration, insights, and practical advice for anyone looking to prioritise their mental health or better understand how to support others.
Listen Now
Tune in to The Mind Full Podcast to hear Niall Breslin’s inspiring journey and his vision for a mentally healthier world. It’s an episode filled with heart, humour, and a call to action for all of us.
The Mind Full Podcast is the latest offering in Dermot Whelan’s highly successful Mind Full adventure. The Mind Full Podcast is a home for people whose minds are…well, full! Dermot explores the topics that can help us to calm a frantic mind, understand our behaviour and explore our own potential.
With a new topic of focus each week in discussion with an exciting array of guests ranging from Hollywood stars, musicians and broadcasters to expert technical contributors from the world of science, listeners will get the best information to help them make positive changes in their lives and create that mental space to live their days with more joy.
As a certified meditation teacher, Dermot also presents his own expertise through weekly guided meditations and answering callers’ questions.
It’s serious transformation, without being too serious!
Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week I’m joined by Sexologist, Educator and quite possibly Ireland’s most joyful advocate for pleasure – Jenny Keane.
Having first featured on The Mind Full Podcast last year in Season One, Jenny is making a welcomed return to the series. Jenny communicates the topic of pleasure in a wonderfully accessible and articulate way. So it’s no wonder why her workshops are so popular and why her live shows always sell out in an instant!
This week, we’re talking about why pleasure has fallen off of the To-Do List and how to bring it firmly back. Jenny and her creation Oh! Moment has a commitment to enhancing sexual wellbeing through holistic sex education workshops, events, body-safe sex toys and more. Jenny uses a trauma-informed approach and, with her PhD studies in clinical sexology, enriches the content and practices she shares with such delightful ease and humour.
So, if your libido has gone into hibernation or your idea of foreplay is syncing Google Calendars, this episode is for you – it’s about making time for what matters, starting with ourselves!
If you’re new to the series, why not take the time to go back and catch up on the wonderful interviews that you may have missed!
Visit www.dermotwhelan.com for more information and don’t forget my new book Busy and Wrecked is out now!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
