Welcome to Garry Talks, a weekly podcast focusing on personal and professional growth, hosted by Garry Kelly - Entrepreneur, teacher, broadcaster, public speaker, and managing director of Marketing Agency GK Media. Through weekly interviews with entrepreneurs, musicians, actors, marketing experts etc., this podcast offers an insight into the lives behind success, the challenges they have faced, and the solutions they have developed to rise above them. Listeners can expect insider tips, life advice and personal stories from Garry and our guests that can help you achieve personal and professional fulfilment. Enjoy! Join Our Tribe now at www.GarryTalks.com This podcast is part of GK Media Studios Creators Network.
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
Wednesday Oct 16, 2024
In this episode of "Garry Talks," host Garry interviews Korina Duffy, a single parent who overcame homelessness and alcohol addiction to establish a successful fitness business, Eco Fitness, in Dublin. Korina shares her journey, detailing her struggles with financial instability, the impact of the economic crash, and her divorce. She recounts a pivotal moment when she was forced to leave her home, leading her to strategise a new beginning. Through personal growth, counselling, and sobriety, Korina transformed her life, emphasising resilience and empowerment. Her story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of learning from adversity.
For more information on Korina please visit her website https://www.ecofitness.ie/
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Introduction to Korina's Journey (00:00:00)
Korina reflects on her past struggles, including financial pressures and homelessness.
Korina's Background (00:00:16)
Garry introduces Korina, highlighting her transformation from homelessness to running a fitness business.
Marriage and Early Challenges (00:00:37)
Korina shares her brief marriage, which ended shortly after starting a family.
Struggles with Past Trauma (00:00:41)
Korina discusses dealing with past traumas while facing new challenges in her life.
Unforeseen Homelessness (00:00:53)
Korina recounts being thrown out of her home with her children, leading to homelessness.
Podcast Introduction (00:01:13)
A brief introduction to the podcast, part of the GK Media network.
Garry's Warm Welcome (00:01:30)
Garry welcomes Korina and expresses excitement about her inspiring story.
Korina's 20s and Career Aspirations (00:01:43)
Korina reflects on her youthful ambitions and early jobs in Galway.
Factory Job and Party Lifestyle (00:02:07)
Korina describes her factory job and the vibrant social life that came with it.
Dreaming of a Sandwich Shop (00:03:20)
Korina shares her dream of opening a sandwich shop while working at the factory.
Meeting Her Future Husband (00:03:59)
Korina recounts meeting her husband during a holiday, leading to unexpected changes.
Surprise Pregnancy (00:04:25)
Korina talks about her surprise pregnancy and the emotions that followed.
Transition to Restaurant Ownership (00:07:07)
Korina and her husband consider taking over a restaurant, leading to new responsibilities.
Life in the Restaurant Business (00:07:51)
Korina describes the experience of running a restaurant while raising her child.
Challenges of Business Expansion (00:10:09)
Korina reflects on the unsustainable growth of their restaurant business.
Financial Strain and Relationship Issues (00:11:47)
Korina discusses the financial crash and its impact on her marriage and family life.
Marriage and Quick Decline (00:12:04)
Korina shares details about her marriage and how quickly it fell apart.
Community Rumors and Stress (00:12:58)
Korina talks about the rumors surrounding her marriage and the stress it caused.
Mental Health and Relationship Breakdown (00:15:17)
Korina emphasizes the importance of mental health during the tumultuous period.
Final Reflections on the Crash (00:16:58)
Korina concludes by reflecting on the rapid changes in her life due to the financial crash.
The Car Repossession (00:17:11)
Korina shares the experience of having her car repossessed after her split, marking a fresh start.
Fitness as Therapy (00:18:27)
Korina discusses using fitness classes as a form of therapy during tough times, helping her cope with stress.
New Relationship (00:19:14)
She reflects on meeting a new partner and the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
Multiple Jobs (00:20:44)
Korina describes juggling various jobs, including fitness and beauty work, to support her family.
Teeth Whitening Business (00:22:18)
She recounts starting a teeth whitening business with a friend, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Decision to Move (00:25:00)
Korina explains the decision to move to Dublin for a fresh start as her youngest son began school.
Family Tragedy (00:26:09)
She shares the traumatic experience of learning about her brother's serious car accident just before Christmas.
Hospital Struggles (00:28:37)
Korina discusses the emotional turmoil of visiting her brother in intensive care and the difficult decisions faced.
Balancing Life and Care (00:31:15)
She talks about the strain on her relationship as she balanced caring for her brother and her responsibilities at home.
Homelessness (00:33:19)
Korina reveals her experience of becoming homeless after reuniting with her partner, facing new challenges.
Self-Discovery Through Counseling (00:33:49)
Korina discusses her journey of self-awareness and the importance of counseling for healing past traumas.
Coping Mechanisms (00:34:51)
She reflects on her early use of drugs and alcohol as coping tools for life’s challenges.
Finding the Right Counselor (00:36:34)
Korina shares her experience of seeking counseling and the importance of finding a suitable therapist.
Understanding Triggers (00:37:38)
She learns about her triggers and how past traumas affect her present relationships and reactions.
Taking Control of Life (00:38:28)
Korina describes the process of regaining control over her life and managing her emotional responses.
Communication Styles in Relationships (00:39:32)
The conversation shifts to the importance of understanding different communication styles in her relationships.
Breaking the Victim Mentality (00:40:19)
Korina outlines her journey from feeling like a victim to taking responsibility for her life.
Childhood Trauma (00:40:42)
She reveals her experience of childhood trauma and its long-lasting effects on her life.
Breathwork and Anxiety (00:41:14)
Korina discusses the benefits of breathwork in managing anxiety and emotional distress.
Coping Strategies Beyond Exercise (00:42:56)
She reflects on the realization that exercise alone can’t replace deeper emotional healing.
Moving into a New Home (00:43:45)
Korina recounts moving into a new house and the mixed feelings that accompanied the transition.
Communication Breakdown (00:46:18)
She describes a critical argument that highlighted communication issues in her relationship.
Unexpected Relationship Challenges (00:47:05)
Korina shares her reluctance to have children due to fears of repeating past relationship cycles.
Confrontation at the New House (00:48:39)
She narrates a tense confrontation with her partner upon returning to their new home.
Police Involvement (00:50:54)
Korina recounts the distressing experience of police intervention during her relationship breakdown.
Podcast Episode Timestamps
The eviction notice (00:51:37)
Korina describes being told to leave her home and the panic that ensued.
Seeking shelter (00:52:20)
She recounts her struggle to find a place to stay with her children and dog.
The phone call (00:53:03)
Korina attempts to secure a women's shelter but faces rejection due to her dog.
Making a plan (00:53:48)
She considers her options and decides to return to her house to retrieve belongings.
Clearing out the house (00:54:35)
Korina describes emptying the house with the help of a van, feeling empowered.
Financial struggles (00:55:15)
She discusses her debts and how she managed to pay them off over time.
Personal growth (00:56:50)
Korina shares her commitment to avoid repeating past mistakes, focusing on communication and sobriety.
Three years sober (00:57:16)
She celebrates her sobriety milestone and reflects on the challenges of social situations.
Changing mindset (00:58:23)
Korina talks about overcoming victim mentality and finding purpose in helping others.
Eco Fitness introduction (00:59:04)
Garry briefly mentions Korina's thriving business, Eco Fitness, and its mission to help others.