MCFUTUREFITNESS PHOTOSHOOT 2017 – MEET THE TEAM PART 2

NAME: Pearse “The King” Morris
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– 27, fund accountant.
– Studied in Cork for 4 years
– Standing at 5ft 9 and a pure beast
– A lady killa since i’m fresh out of the womb
– Love fitness & pushing myself to the limits
– Play hurling for Nenagh Eire Og
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“I took on this challenge because I wanted to get back in the best physical shape I could. I had fell out of fitness, gotten out of shape and lost my motivation. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it and get back there. When I heard about Grow and raising awareness for mental health, it motivated me to get involved as this is something close to home for me and being apart of a group sharing the same goals while fundraising for a great cause is something I wanted to be apart of.”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH;
“I have found exercising, the gym and dieting has helped me turn my life around. To be committed to this takes motivation and dedication. With the support from everyone else on the team, I found myself getting more confident every day, each workout I feel a little stronger and closer to getting back to my best. The gym makes me feel confident again, not just in the gym but in life and in work.”

NAME: Brian “Sally Hansen” Cooney
FEW THINGS ABOUT YOU;
– Fanatic Chelsea supporter
– Don’t drink or smoke
– Father of one
– I hate tan and the fact I’ve to shave my body hair off!!
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“I decided to do this challenge to test myself and to see could I fulfill the goal. I also wanted to get some changes with my body and when I knew it was for a charity it gave me an extra push to succeed.”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAVE BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH;
“It has been a huge help in my life as I don’t socialise much in pubs or clubs, so the gym has given me a great outlet to meet new people, socialize and helped improve my confidence tremendously. I have learned so much about food, eating healthy and I’ve even managed to improve my dismal skills in the kitchen!

NAME: Barry “On time” Corcoran
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– Love the craic
– Found of a few sups of liquor
– Shy person who hides it very well
– Always on time
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“Always felt it was important to challenge myself, force myself out of my comfort zone. In the past, I was stuck in the same routine, which was getting me nowhere both physically and mentally so I decided to push myself and this was the perfect opportunity.”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
“It has had a huge impact on my mental health and helped me in numerous ways. The has always given me a positive mindset, stopped me overthinking in general and a positive outlook on life. The gym and living a healthy lifestyle has made me put myself out there more, with increased confidence and less fear of what others will think.”

NAME: Daryl “Tuna Chunks” McGee
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– Tuna lover not a fighter
– Chef and a DJ
– Studied in Galway
– Fattest and leanest lower back in Nenagh
– Chinese Takeaway’s best customer
– Live for the festival season
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“After recently competing in a mens physique competition, this opportunity came at a right time as I was already in good shape from competing, so when I heard it was for a charity to raise awareness for mental health, I jumped at the chance to be part of the team.”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
The gym and eating healthy gives me a great routine and allows me to feel better and more energized in everyday life. As I love music, going to the gym, putting on my headphones and getting a workout in is a great way for me to relieve stress and clear my head. I’ve also met many new people and friends from being in the gym over the past number of years.

NAME: Louise ‘Yes Miss’ Hickey
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– Love to travel the world
– Love to meet friends for coffee
– Teacher
– Love Nayna!
– I’m always busy (meeting people for coffee!)
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
There are a few reasons but it’s difficult to remember any of them now!
When Matt begged me to take part in this shoot I said no at first but then when he told me about the charity element I was in!
Also I think it’s important to represent the females as I know there is the perception that its all meat head lads, looking at themselves in the mirrors and hogging the machines with the mirrors….and…that’s exactly what it’s like! So once you get over that the gym is a great place to meet people and get into a positive routine!
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
It has been an educational journey as I felt I was eating well and exercising well before this challenge. However, it has been an eye opener as to the calories that are is so called ‘healthy’ foods!
It has also been great to be involved with the other 12 like minded people.

NAME: Edwina King
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– Love to travel
– spent two summers in Boston, currently living in Manchester
– Will be a Qualified Physio in June
– I don’t know why but People think I look Chinese
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“I had no choice really, I was forced into it but because it’s for such a fantastic cause I couldn’t say no.
Thankfully I’ve not personally had mental health issues but it’s always so close to home we all know someone who is effected by it, and it’s important for people to know that its nothing to be ashamed of.
Everybody at some point in life struggles mentally and supporting charities such as GROW is so so important to reassure people that its ok not to be ok. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Not been given an ultimatum, I had to take on this challenge. I guess it’s now or never. If you’re not forced out of your comfort zone, you’ll never grow.
Being in my final year of a Physiotherapy degree and in my final few months; there were a number of times I was really put to the test both mentally and physically from studying for final exams to 5am gym sessions and meal prepping. I can certainly tell you it wasn’t easy!! But three things I have learnt and taken from this process are:
1. Preparation is key,
2. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
3. Mind over matter!”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH;
Anyone that knows me knows how much I love the gym, it’s a huge part of my life both socially and mentally. To eat healthy and do exercise assists me in feeling great and being happy. It helps me to reveal stresses in my life along with helping me to achieve my goals.

NAME: Matt “MCFuturefitness” Cooney
FEW THINGS ABOUT ME;
– Owner of MCFuturefitness
– Extremely small calves
– Perfectionist
– I love helping people become better versions of themselves.
– Deserve a medal for living with Neil Kevin and putting up with him on a daily basis.
– Fitness is my life
REASONS FOR TAKING ON THIS CHALLENGE;
“One of the reasons I set up MCFuturefitness was that I wanted to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives. Grow is a fantastic organisation and I wanted to help bring attention to all their hard work on an important topic that I think is much overlooked in this country. Having done my first photoshoot last year, I thought it would be a unique idea to bring a team of people through the process of getting into photoshoot shape together. Doing it as a team created a great support network and we all motivated each other to keep going and stay on track.”
HOW THE GYM, EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY HAS BENEFITED YOUR MENTAL HEALTH:
“The gym and living a healthy lifestyle has been a saviour for me. Anytime I’ve gone through difficult stages in my life, I’ve always turned to the gym. It keeps me mentally strong and allows me to deal with any situation. Exercise, nutrition and it’s benefits have had such a big impact on my life that it’s now what I do for a living and what I plan to do for the rest of my life.”