Trish (53), from Raheny in Dublin, is currently Operations Manager but looking to redefine herself and to start a new chapter in her career, Trish is also ready to address her health and fitness levels. Attending the gym only to sit in the jacuzzi is out and doing the 40 Day Health Challenge is in! By day 40 she wants to be able to run a 5K to prove herself to her marathon running partner David. She’d also like to cycle the Ring of Kerry in memory of her dad who passed away with Motor Neuron Disease. She also hopes that by improving her health she will be able to ditch her sleep apnea mask.

Sheena (48) based in south Dublin, is a mum of two young boys currently on a career break from banking and looking into starting her own food events company. Dealing with a lot of stress and major life events lately (including 6 moves in the last 12 months!) she’s looking forward to participating in the 40 Day Health Challenge as a way of slowing down and finally taking time for herself. Although Sheena manages to hit her daily step count - her walks lack the intensity to make the steps really count - and she knows that having young kids is no longer an excuse!

Jeanette (49) from Clondalkin is a pharmaceutical technician at Pfizer. Her goal is to be ‘fit at 50!’ Being a mum to 3 children she knows how important it is to make health and wellbeing a priority. As a regular gym goer she feels she’s doing all the right things, and yet she’s not seeing any results. She is a member of a running club but her arthritic toe has made her progress difficult. She wants to run a marathon next year - but her fitness needs to improve first. She’s doing the 40 Day Health Challenge to help her regain the sparkle that has dimmed since entering perimenopause

Long distance truck driver Garry (52) from Tallaght is hoping that throughout the 40 Day Health Challenge his health patterns will finally change for the better. Living a sedentary lifestyle and struggling to make healthy food choices while on the road, Garry would like to learn how he can work healthy habits into his routine and get rid of his XXXL belly. If you have ever found yourself eating your lunch by midmorning, Garry’s journey is for you to follow!

Aer Lingus flight attendant Aimee (34), originally from Kimmage but now living in Kilcock, is currently on maternity leave with her three month old baby. Knowing the importance of instilling healthy habits into her young family, Aimee wants to get back into shape before she returns to the skies. Shortly before getting married and having kids, Aimee sadly lost her mother to cancer in February 2022. Her new goal is to be as healthy as possible and be there for her two young daughters so that they don’t end up facing the same fate she did with her mum.

John (31) from Castlelyons in Cork is our youngest Challenger. He’s a DJ and delivery driver from Cork, currently living with his parents,16 months old baby Ava and his fiancee Helen. Suffering from brittle asthma he has to come to terms that he is living with a chronic illness. Joined by his supportive fiancee Helen, John wants to improve his fitness and asthma symptoms so that he can live a long life and do more activities together as a young family!

Deirdre (54) is a former hairdresser who used to own a salon in Cork. 15 years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and she’s been battling it ever since. She currently has stage 4 breast cancer and her goal is to live well and for people to see the person beyond the disease. She wants to encourage others with terminal illnesses to take an active part in their lives and not shy away from challenges! She is joined by her husband Jim who has decided to support his wife and give the Challenge a go himself!

Jim (56) is a retired school principal from Cork. Almost by accident, he joined his beloved wife Deirdre on her journey in the 40 Day Health Challenge. After initially accompanying her to Assessment Day for moral support, he found that there are a few aspects of his own health that he could improve on and decided to join the 40 day family alongside Deirdre!

West Cork Eggs business owner and coach Caroline (52) is eager to take on the challenge! She is currently feeling the effects of her sedentary lifestyle, the post Covid slump, and menopause, but by the end of the 40 days she wants to be a healthier, stronger, fitter and more confident version of herself! She also wants to motivate and push others to get out of their comfort zones and adopt a ‘just do it’ attitude!

Dara (55) is a clinical nursing manager at a gynaecology department at the Cork University Maternity Hospital. She is nearing retirement and feels it’s prime time to work on increasing her strength to stay mobile as she is ageing. For Dara it’s all about developing new habits and lasting passions. She is a big believer in prioritising lifestyle changes over medication. Another big adjustment for her is the shift from looking after her children to taking care of elderly parents.

Olivia (48) is an athletics and Gaelic football coach from Askeaton, Limerick. She’s well used to pushing and motivating others, but can she do the same for herself? Recovering from sepsis combined with a significant change in routine from being made redundant and starting a new job has contributed to her declining fitness levels. Always focused on helping and motivating others, she rarely has the time to check in with herself - that’s what she is hoping to practice throughout the 40 Day Health Challenge.

Martina Condell (53) is a special needs assistant in a Limerick school and she’s all about taking action! When she felt that the women in her area weren’t catered for she simply set up her own cycling group! It’s now a safe space for women of all ages to exercise and connect in her local community in Limerick. Martina decided to join the challenge to stay motivated and be held accountable and to finally achieve some results!

Grainne Walsh (54) is another Challenger from Foynes, Co. Limerick. She is an accounts and HR administrator for a pharmacy as well as an avid hiker! She has already started her weightloss journey but is looking for a boost, and what better way to do it than with the support of like minded individuals and some of the country’s top experts overseeing her progress. Grainne is no beginner when it comes to challenges and is keen on inspiring and taking other women her age on the journey with her!

Edel (41) is a Montessori teacher living with her parents on the outskirts of Limerick City. As an ex rugby player she wants to prove to herself that she can take on this challenge and hit the fitness markers for her age group. She normally works well under pressure, but recently, she’s finding that she needs a helping hand in overcoming her anxiety. Consistency has been a problem of late when it comes to food and fitness. She wants to explore a variety of exercise and food options that she can learn to love!

Eileen (55) is a hairdressing teacher, originally from London but now living in Galway. She had a knee replacement last April which made her prioritise her health. She is undertaking the 40 Day Health Challenge to regain her strength and confidence when exercising ahead of the first year anniversary of her surgery. For her it’s all about being the healthiest version of herself and feeling fit and strong in her body.

Colm Hayes (62), is one half of the Colm & Lucy Breakfast Show on Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio. His routine is dictated by his busy work and social life which affects his exercise and food choices. This time he’s taking an honest look at which areas of his life he can improve, all while putting himself to the test and experiencing the same tasks that the Challengers are facing!