Maura Fay: MMA Queen

A number of weeks ago, we first met Maura Fay, who took up MMA at 32 and was training for her first fight. Well, shes back with an update. And yes, the above picture is a MASSIVE spoiler. Maura overcame huge challenges and put mind over matter to win with a TKO in the blink

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How to deal with death and other S**t: By Nic

There is no such thing as a guide on “How to deal with Death and life’s other s**t” but sometimes I really, really wish there was. There is no written set of rules, for everyone it’s different. Some people never talk about it, never deal with it and continue a life of pain and sorrow.

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Meet Kerrie Leonard; Archer Extrordinaire

26 year old Kerrie Leonard from Culmullen Co. Meath has been in a wheelchair since she was in a farm accident aged 6. Shes a woman of many passions, a horse breeder, a photographer and an international archer. Kerrie comes from the “go hard or go home” school, and has invested greatly in her sport

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Guest Post: How to catch the travel bug

I go wherever the wind takes me. At least that’s what I tell people when they ask me why I left New Zealand and came to Ireland. New Zealand is an amazing place. Beautiful, with an endless array of awesome, extreme things to do (think bungee jumping and zorbing – both invented in New Zealand).

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Some thoughts on kindness

So I have this friend. She is kind, quirky, super smart and really really funny. We have never met in person. My friend doesn’t feel comfortable going out, and instead is her true self online, where people can’t see her, or judge her, or be cruel to her. My friend is a transexual, who struggles

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Guest Post: Too fat for summer

My hair is frizzier than ever, my jumper collection has been packed away and the sun is shining. It looks like summer has finally arrived on the little island of Ireland! I am so excited to go to outdoor cinemas, to eat ice cream by the sea and to laze about in the garden with

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Guest Post: Moving to NYC, no biggie right?

To live in New York has always been my dream. In 2012, I had spent six months here and a further three months in 2013 interning. New York is not for everyone, but anyone that knows me well knows how obsessed I am with this city. I knew I had to come back for a

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Guest Post: Dear Mum, I miss you x

Mum, We are fast approaching your 12 year anniversary. Can you believe that? I still remember the day you left us like it was yesterday and as hard as it is not to have you here with us now I am glad you have had your pain and suffering taken away. When you left I

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All those Instagram followers, but how many friends?

1000 followers and 700 Facebook friends, but who can you call? I’m not good at making friends, I think it’s to do with My Black Dog. I tend to shut people out or I take a long time to open up and let people in. Something I’m sure of is my family. There’s four girls in

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Guest Post: Why True Friends are Precious

We love getting emails from you about your  own stories, sometimes just getting it off your chest is half the battle. Here, Rosy tells us how she got through a really tough time by having someone to lean on. One true friend is worth 10 acquaintances. Thanks for sharing Rosy 💜 My story began when I

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I won’t give you my name but I’m here to tell my story…

Last week we received this anonymous letter from a very brave soldier who has been through the wars, but survived. We were blown away by her candid words about her struggles. Traumas in early life are never easy to let go of and we can carry the weight of our past around with us like

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My story: By Shaunagh

The year my parents separated was the year my whole world completely crashed and to say my mental health suffered was an understatement. I went from being a severely athletic young girl who loved her body and everything that she was to a complete hermit who hated any sort of interaction with the world and

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My experience with TTM (Hair Pulling)

Trichotillomania (TTM), otherwise known as Trich, is a disorder where people pull out their hair, one strand at a time, from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows or other parts of the body. It can be very traumatic for sufferers. Today, Shannon shared her own experience with us, teaching us more about the condition… I’m gonna talk

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Musician Susan O’Neill on writing to heal

Susan O’Neill (AKA SON) is a talented musician, originally from Ennis, now splitting her time between Waterford and Dublin. She performs with Propellor Palms and King Kong Company, but last year, went out on her own to launch her first Solo album “Found myself Lost”. This week, she had a catch up with our Anna,

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A minor epiphiny: By Megan

As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I’m not one to exercise regularly. Getting out of the house to jog, run or walk causes me stress I view as unnecessary, so I usually rule out exercise. However, when I don’t go out and move in some way, shape, or form, my anxiety seems to

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This beautiful girl took her own life due to bullies

This week, we heard of the devastating death of the beautiful Elle Trowbridge from County Tyrone. Elle took her own life a few days after her 16th birthday, because she could no longer cope with the online bullying she had been subjected to. Elle’s mother, Mandy told the Irish News, that Elle was first targeted

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How exercise heals my mind: By Ash

I love exercise. I genuinely do. Now don’t get me wrong it requires energy, motivation and willpower which I’ll be honest, I lack. But I still love exercise. Anytime I do some sort of exercise I feel great after it. All the studies show that it releases great endorphins and makes you feel good and

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Dear Shannon: A Letter to Myself

Dear Shannon, You’re 16 and I’m writing to you to you to give you a heads up.  There is a rough few years ahead. Being different is nothing to be ashamed of, but unfortunately you will learn this the hard way. Soon you will be mocked, taunted, pushed, and shoved.  A feeling of dread hangs

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