Jamie Buttars: From Rock Bottom to Resilience – How One Man Turned Struggle into Community Impact
We Are The People
What if your biggest struggles became the foundation for something greater? Jamie Buttars' journey is one of resilience, redemption, and relentless drive. From dropping out of high school and battling addiction to building a coffee shop (Cache Coffee & More) that’s saving lives, Jamie has transformed his past into a force for good.
In this episode, we dive into:
☕ How Jamie’s coffee shop became a safe haven for veterans and those struggling with mental health
💪 His powerful perspective on resilience and turning loneliness into strength
🔄 The story of addiction, recovery, and reuniting with his ex-wife after years apart
🚀 His entrepreneurial journey—starting (and failing) multiple businesses before finding true purpose
🏡 His ambitious $25M plan to create a mental health retreat for veterans and first responders
This isn’t just a story—it’s a lesson in never giving up, lifting others up, and creating a lasting legacy.
Resilience, Reinvention & the Reality of Success – Neil O’Sullivan on Overcoming Struggles and Finding Balance
We Are The People
In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Neil O’Sullivan, co-founder of Nimbus and former footballer, to explore the highs and lows of his journey—from childhood struggles and professional reinvention to the pressures of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of true well-being.
Neil shares his raw and honest reflections on overcoming bullying, battling imposter syndrome, and learning to manage anxiety in high-stakes environments. He also discusses the realities of running a wellness business, the lessons he’s learned about resilience, and why authenticity matters more than ever in today’s fast-paced world.
This is a conversation about self-discovery, growth, and what it really means to build a life that feels successful—not just on paper, but in a way that aligns with who you truly are.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about self-awareness and adaptation.
✅ True success requires balancing ambition with mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
✅ Embracing authenticity and vulnerability leads to deeper connections and sustainable growth.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectation, struggled with self-doubt, or questioned what success really looks like, this episode is for you.
Tune in now, and if you find this conversation valuable, please share it, leave a review, and help us bring these stories to more people who need them.
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Sarah Collins on Risk, Resilience, and Life’s Small Joys
We Are The People
In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Sarah Collins, a marketing expert, world traveler, and entrepreneur whose story is a testament to the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. From helping KFC crack the Irish market to building a thriving café business in her hometown, Sarah has embraced risk and serendipity to carve out a life filled with adventure and purpose.
Join us as Sarah shares her journey through 51 countries, the lessons she’s learned about resilience, and how she balances ambition with gratitude. Whether it’s vision-boarding her way to success, climbing active volcanoes, or taking calculated career risks, Sarah’s approach to life offers inspiration for anyone seeking to grow, adapt, and thrive.
If you’re ready to be inspired by Sarah’s insights on finding joy in the little moments and making bold moves, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Key Takeaways:
- Why taking risks is essential for personal and professional growth.
- How to find fulfillment in life’s small, serendipitous moments.
- The importance of adaptability and embracing change.
Tune in now, and don’t forget to share this episode with anyone who could use a little extra inspiration today!
Fighting for Legacy: Damian Darker on Discipline, Resilience, and Creating Opportunities
We Are The People
In this episode of We Are The People, we sit down with Damian Darker, a European kickboxing champion, dedicated coach, and proud father. Damian takes us through his journey, from childhood days inspired by Power Rangers and Chuck Norris to becoming a trailblazer in Irish kickboxing.
He shares the discipline and respect instilled by traditional martial arts like Taekwondo, the highs and lows of competing on the world stage, and the sacrifices that come with being a fighter in an underfunded sport. Beyond his personal success, Damian is passionate about creating opportunities for future fighters, building a legacy of support and inclusivity in the world of combat sports.
We also dive into the transformative impact of becoming a parent, as Damian reflects on how having a daughter has reshaped his mission to build a more equitable world—both inside and outside the ring.
This episode is packed with insights on resilience, mindset, and the power of lifting others as you climb. Whether you’re a fan of martial arts or simply love a story of perseverance and purpose, you won’t want to miss it.
From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Work: Emma Foran’s Journey of Resilience, Inclusivity, and Fulfillment
We Are The People
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Emma Foran takes us on her journey of self-discovery, career transformation, and personal growth. From her early aspirations to be an actor to navigating unfulfilling corporate roles, Emma shares how she found her true calling in social care and her current role as an Employment Officer at Down Syndrome Ireland.
Emma reflects on the invaluable lessons she learned growing up alongside her aunt, who has Down Syndrome, and how it shaped her compassionate outlook on life. She discusses the challenges of leaving stable corporate jobs to pursue meaningful work and the joy she now finds in empowering adults with Down Syndrome to thrive in employment.
Emma also opens up about the importance of living authentically, the struggles of societal expectations, and her evolving relationship with social media. With warmth and honesty, Emma reveals how embracing her passions has brought her a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.
If you’ve ever questioned your career path, struggled with conformity, or sought inspiration to make a meaningful change, this episode is for you.
S6 - E3 - James Michels... how self improvement unlocked an introvert, fired a passion and created a legacy.
We Are The People
Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, and I have great admiration for anyone that has stepped outside theirs to do something that they have been afraid of. James Michels is one such person. Growing up he was an introvert, who lived in his own world and was wary of letting people in. Today he is an author who has published 5 books, finding the confidence to share his inner universe with the world.
Join us as James opens up about his pivotal moment of self-discovery. He shares his journey of personal growth and the decision to invest in himself, leading to the unexpected path of becoming a crime thriller author. You'll hear about the challenges he faced in his quest to write his first book, and the powerful life lessons he learned along the way.
Resilient, brave, humble, funny, inspirational… This is James Michels.
S6 - E2 - Astrid Abissath - From not fitting in to finding the real Astrid... all before she was 22
We Are The People
Growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood, Astrid faced a unique set of challenges that shaped her into the remarkable person she is today. She'll share her experiences of navigating the immense pressure to succeed imposed by her parents and the process of discovering her identity as the only black child in her school. But it's not just her cultural background that sets her apart; like any young person today, she's had to confront the typical struggles of adolescence.
In this episode, Astrid opens up about the ignorance she faced in school, the importance of understanding history, her unique relationship with social media, her unwavering commitment to being a role model for other first-generation children, and how her faith challenges her to be a better person every day.
S6 - E1 - Peter Ryan - From visually impaired to Paralympian and Ultra Endurance Running
We Are The People
Today, we're joined by an incredible guest, Peter Ryan, a remarkable athlete who has conquered adversity and shattered barriers.
Growing up, rural Tipperary was home for Peter. That meant sports and plenty of them. He was very good at soccer and hurling but never pushed himself. In school he followed the crowd and stayed within his lane. He was a coasting through school happy in the knowledge a job in construction would see him through.
Then at the age of 19 his eyesight began to fail and he was diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare genetic disorder that left him with between five and ten percent peripheral vision in both eyes. Basically, he was legally blind.
In what felt like the blink of an eye what Peter knew as normal had disappeared, his identity was gone and he turned to alcohol to cope. He hit rock bottom before sport saved him and he unleashed the potential within… becoming a Paralympian!
Human, brave, honest, funny, a world class athlete… This is Peter Ryan!
S5 - E6 - Orlagh Reynolds - Grateful for her life... the highs of Australia to the lows of helping her husband fight MND
We Are The People
Orlagh Reynolds was a messer as a child and she has retained that sense of mischief into adulthood. She loved life and life loved Orlagh back as she lived the dream. City hopping as her career developed, working her dream job, surrounded by friends and family and topped off by her husband and daughter. Orlagh was lucky and grateful.
Then one day, her husband Fraser received a Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis that turned their world upside down. He was given two years to live and as the devastating news sunk in Fraser decided that something good was going to come from this diagnosis. It may have been too late for him but he was sure he was going to make a difference for future MND patients.
And with that, they began to fight back!
S5 - E5 - Scott Jenkins - A turning point at 30 leads to ultramarathons, Badwater, life lessons and smiling children
We Are The People
Scott Jenkins didn’t want to find himself at the age of 80 looking back at his life wondering what more he could have done with it, what more he could have achieved and the people he could have helped along the way.
Scott grew up in Wales and reached a turning point at the age of 30 where he decided to do something big, something that would have an impact on his life but also on lives around him. Himself and his brother decided to run 2000 miles from Boston to Austin, raising money and learning life lessons along the way.
Since that decision to run 75 marathons in 75 days, Scott has become an ultramarathon runner, a Badwater finisher, a high performing sales manager, a motivational speaker and has changed the lives of 93 children across the world, through Operation Smile.
Scott will inspire you to take the leap of faith you’ve been putting off and he’ll make it sound so simple… This is Scott Jenkins
S5 - E4 - Beulah Coombs - From Jamaica to Britain in the 50s, becoming one of the first black teachers in Britain
We Are The People
Beulah Coombs was born in Jamaica in 1949 and at the age of 8 she moved to Manchester following her parents who had moved their to help rebuild England after the war. She is part of the Windrush Generation. The world she encountered was much different to what she imagined and the welcome she received was tainted by ignorance as she strove to make an impact in her new surroundings.
But make an impact she did as Beulah ignored the racists and naysayers to build a life in her adopted country that was so fulfilling it prevented her from returning to live in Jamaica, even when the British government introduced a law suggesting she do just that.
Beulah describes the difficulties she faced finding a job, the vibrancy of the nightclub scene and talks about the importance of accurately depicting the past.
Inquisitive, funny, determined, and a first time published author at the age of 75…this is Beulah Coombs!
S5 - E3 - Lawrence Cowan - How MND inspired him to change Scotland for the better
We Are The People
Lawrence Cowan set out in politics determined to change lives but his life took an unexpected turn when his best friend, Gordon Aikman, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. It was too late for Gordon but together they were determined to positively impact the lives of future MND sufferers.
From Gordon Brown to Nicola Sturgeon, Lawrence and his friends energised Scottish politics to change Scottish Healthcare for the better, positively impacting Scottish generations to come. Their campaign was so successful Gordon's legacy was preserved when the largest lecture theatre in Edinburgh University was renamed The Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre.
Laurence's work raising funds and awareness of MND lead him to pursue a career in fundraising. He continued on to work for Breast Cancer Now and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, saving countless lives in the process.
Lawrence speaks with passion throughout this episode, none more so than when he speaks about his daughter who navigates the world with a visual and physical disability.
Lawrence's story is the inspiration for all of us to be the change we wish to see in the world.
S5 - E2 - Elaine Garrigues O'Neill - From French translator to Patisserie Chef
We Are The People
Elaine Garrigues O'Neill grew up in Ireland but her eyes were always firmly fixed on a life further afield. When she graduated from University she moved to France and set about becoming as French as the French themselves.
She set about honing her translation skills in the corporate world before realising she would much rather be her own boss. With little more than a few contacts, a large helping of bravery and a willingness to conquer French bureaucracy she set up her own translation business.
As her business grew she became more comfortable and her mind began to wander once more. Elaine had always dreamed of becoming a pastry chef and where better to learn than in the pastry capital of the world? She enrolled in a patisserie school and went back to the classroom for long hours, intense exams and early mornings in the bakers.
Elaine's story is proof that we can achieve our goals once we set our minds to them.
S 5 - E1 - Vicki Duffendack - From worshipping Instagram to finding redemption with God
We Are The People
Vicki Duffendack was a typical South Dublin woman, she grew up interested in boys, having fun with friends and seeing the world. She travelled across the globe as a nanny, working hard and partying just as hard.
In Australia, she found love and got engaged but when that didn't last she looked for love on Instagram... well what she thought was love. Her quest for likes and followers brought her to Bali but her obsession with appearance drove her to a breakdown.
In the depths of despair she reignited her relationship with God and slowly recovered at Teen Street, a discipleship for Christian teens. Vicki drew strength from her relationship with God and signed up to attend the Bethal Christian School.
Her whirlwind life continued as she met her future husband and settled in America, with her family and church her focus.
S4 - E6 - The Zorbas - Inka and Iason were drawn together by their love of the Balkans and that love created music
We Are The People
Serendipity and chance encounters brought Inka and Iason together, their shared interests blossomed into a romance that is now three years down the road. As their relationship developed their boundaries fell as they opened up to each other and realized a shared dream.
The dream of one day creating music with their partner… that day arrived and so The Zorbas was born.
The Zorbas is a mixture of music, cinema, design, story telling… and lots more.
Ambition, vulnerability, excitement, passion, humour, positivity, it’s all here… This is the Zorbas!
Listen to the Zorbas here: https://www.thezorbas.live/
S4 - E5 - Inka Malovic - Conceived in the Congo, born in Bosnia, grew up in Algeria until war in Algeria and Yugoslavia made her a refugee in Canada
We Are The People
The events we experience throughout our lives shape who we are and how we look at the world. As we move through life we learn and adapt and change because of what we have been through.
Inka Malovic was conceived in the Congo, born in Bosnia, grew up in Algeria and when war broke out in both Yugoslavia and Algeria she settled with her family in Canada.
As she moved from one place to the next she became a sponge in her new environment, she watched and listened as she integrated herself and it was these skills that helped her hone her craft.
Inka is an actress, a dancer, a teacher, a musician… she wears many hats all of them with passion and positive energy… nothing is impossible… This is Inka Malovic.
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Stephen Carton - From Ireland to America engineering his dream job as an American Football Coach
We Are The People
The vast majority of us follow a well-trodden path when it comes to what we do with our lives, we may take an unexpected diversion here and there but by and large we follow in the footsteps of where others have gone before.
Stephen Carton grew up in Dublin, went to school in Dublin and completed a degree and masters in Engineering in Trinity College… you can probably fill in the gaps from here, right?
Wrong?
A chance encounter as a Fresher in Trinity lit a spark that created a passion for American Football that burnt so brightly he decided becoming an American Football coach was his destiny.
He left Ireland in a hurry and put his foot on the bottom rung of a ladder and started climbing, his adventure taught him the importance of family, to embrace his identity and what happens when you take a chance… This is Stephen Carton.
Season 4 - Episode 3 - James Timmons
We Are The People
I think it is interesting to hear what people wanted to be when they were children because it gives an insight into what they were like then and as their story unfolds we can get a sense of how they have developed.
The truth is, most of us give up on that childhood dream early on, but not everybody does…
James Timmons always wanted to be a footballer. It informed how he spent his lunch time break, where he went to university and encouraged him to travel the world.
Buckle up as one of the most enthusiastic people I know takes us from single minded child to even more determined adult… this is James Timmons.
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Rebecca Proctor
We Are The People
The world is made up of characters, that’s what makes it so interesting. We all approach life in slightly different ways leading to experiences and stories that help us to stay connected with one another.
Rebecca Proctor has always been sure of who she was and where she was going… she may not necessarily have known how it was going to turn out but she wasn’t going to shrink to the shadows.
Whether that was on the stage bringing joy to her heart, in the turbulent school corridors or as a mother finding her way… Rebecca gives life her all.
Rebecca talks honestly about feeling lost in school, acting both on and off stage and how she reacted when she found out she was pregnant, five months into her pregnancy… this is Rebecca Proctor!
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Paraic Keenan
We Are The People
Paraic Keenan has always done things his way, he made his choices and he saw them through, having the courage to pivot if required. Be that asking for help when stuck in a ditch, building his career instead of going to college or abandoning his corporate lifestyle in favour of sea swimming and self discovery, he trusted things would work out and they did.
His experiences have made him the man he is today as he discusses identity, introspection, listening and plenty more.
This is Paraic Keenan.
Season 3 - Episode 5 - John Clendennen
We Are The People
John Clendennen is a local councillor from the small village of Kinnitty in Offaly.
At one stage the world was his oyster but today John is more likely to bring oysters to Kinnitty.
He grew up surrounded by people in the family pub and it is no wonder that he has gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps… taking over the family business and making a name for himself in politics.
John has an interest in life that is infectious, he is energetic and thoughtful, innovative and open… This is John Clendennen.
S3 - E4 - Gavin Colton - from reality TV star, to professional footballer and a new goal of becoming a published author
We Are The People
A footballer and a writer are at two very different ends of the career spectrum. For a footballer their end product is based on split second, instinctive decisions, whereas a writer is contemplative and reasoned in their approach.
Or are they?
Gavin Colton’s story challenges these potential misconceptions. He grew up in Leixlip, just outside Dublin and dreamed of being a footballer. He became a TV star, signed autographs, flirted with supermodels and eventually moved to America on a soccer scholarship.
Today he is on the verge of publishing his first collection of short stories. How did he go from soccer star to college lecturer? How much do the narratives he created in his dreams impact his writing now? How important is identity?
Gavin Colton is thoughtful, insightful, brave, funny and engaging… This is Gavin Colton!
S3 - E3 - Pallavi Pande - How memories of India created a sustainable tableware company, made her a mompreneur and inspired her to pay it forward
We Are The People
Pallavi Pande had an idea based on childhood nostalgia. She grew up in India and now lives with her husband and two kids in Portland, Oregon. Her company, Dtocs, creates tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves and has won a NEXTY at the Natural Food Expo for the most innovative new sustainable product on the market.
Pallavi tells me about being a mompreneur, raising brand ambassadors, supporting her female workers, how paying it forward is essential to her being and how America has changed… this is Pallavi Pande!
S3 - E2 - Kieran Walsh - Loss, grief, the pressure to succeed, mental health and comedy... Kieran doesn't shy away from any of it
We Are The People
Usually, when we think about people and their stories it is the older generations that spring to mind as the gold mines. However, my next guest has seen and done so much and is only 28.
Kieran Walsh is married with two kids, he works in a local hospital and dreamed of buying his own home. So far so straight forward.
I came across Kieran on Twitter when I followed his podcast “Reeling in your ears”, a clever watch along of the TV show Reeling in the Years.
Like a lot of people, his life hasn’t been straight forward. He talks about growing up as the baby of the family when most of his siblings were more than halfway through their childhoods, the pain of losing his mum, the pressure to succeed in a big family and how attempting to become a recognized stand up comedian has negatively impacted his mental health.
You’ll hear the pain, smile at the laughter and be struck by Kieran’s sense of gratitude… This is Kieran Walsh.
S3 - E1 - Teegan Maguire - Facing society's expectations of a woman, she talks children, pressure and how she has planned her life
We Are The People
Teegan Maguire is a friend of mine. She has an extremely successful career, she is 35, she owns her own flat, she is single, she lives in London, she is from Clones, a small village in Ireland.
Teegan takes on societal norms and faces them down, choosing the route that is right for her rather than the one offered up as the path most trodden. She speaks openly about children, societal pressure, how reaching her thirties has changed her attitude to life and what she learned from creating a plan for her life until she is 100.
This is a story about a woman making decisions that are right for her, this is a story told with eloquence and honesty… this is Teegan Maguire.
Jamie Buttars: From Rock Bottom to Resilience – How One Man Turned Struggle into Community Impact
52:04
Resilience, Reinvention & the Reality of Success – Neil O’Sullivan on Overcoming Struggles and Finding Balance
47:41
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Sarah Collins on Risk, Resilience, and Life’s Small Joys
1:01:15
Fighting for Legacy: Damian Darker on Discipline, Resilience, and Creating Opportunities
1:02:43
From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Work: Emma Foran’s Journey of Resilience, Inclusivity, and Fulfillment
56:51
S6 - E3 - James Michels... how self improvement unlocked an introvert, fired a passion and created a legacy.
46:07
S6 - E2 - Astrid Abissath - From not fitting in to finding the real Astrid... all before she was 22
47:48
S6 - E1 - Peter Ryan - From visually impaired to Paralympian and Ultra Endurance Running
1:10:37
S5 - E6 - Orlagh Reynolds - Grateful for her life... the highs of Australia to the lows of helping her husband fight MND
1:05:15
S5 - E5 - Scott Jenkins - A turning point at 30 leads to ultramarathons, Badwater, life lessons and smiling children
48:06
S5 - E4 - Beulah Coombs - From Jamaica to Britain in the 50s, becoming one of the first black teachers in Britain
58:58
S5 - E3 - Lawrence Cowan - How MND inspired him to change Scotland for the better
1:00:58
S5 - E2 - Elaine Garrigues O'Neill - From French translator to Patisserie Chef
56:03
S 5 - E1 - Vicki Duffendack - From worshipping Instagram to finding redemption with God
55:00
S4 - E6 - The Zorbas - Inka and Iason were drawn together by their love of the Balkans and that love created music
45:13
S4 - E5 - Inka Malovic - Conceived in the Congo, born in Bosnia, grew up in Algeria until war in Algeria and Yugoslavia made her a refugee in Canada
1:09:02
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Stephen Carton - From Ireland to America engineering his dream job as an American Football Coach
1:10:06
Season 4 - Episode 3 - James Timmons
1:17:12
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Rebecca Proctor
1:16:05
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Paraic Keenan
1:12:52
Season 3 - Episode 5 - John Clendennen
1:08:05
S3 - E4 - Gavin Colton - from reality TV star, to professional footballer and a new goal of becoming a published author
1:08:32
S3 - E3 - Pallavi Pande - How memories of India created a sustainable tableware company, made her a mompreneur and inspired her to pay it forward
56:49
S3 - E2 - Kieran Walsh - Loss, grief, the pressure to succeed, mental health and comedy... Kieran doesn't shy away from any of it
1:22:56
S3 - E1 - Teegan Maguire - Facing society's expectations of a woman, she talks children, pressure and how she has planned her life
1:06:13