In this episode of the Modern Warrior Podcast, I sit down with Mary Kate—an author, spiritual mentor, and deeply reflective voice in the world of personal healing and transformation. Mary Kate’s story is powerful: rooted in faith, tested by trauma, and fuelled by a relentless commitment to living in truth.

We dive into everything from spiritual surrender and addiction to what it really means to embody feminine power in a world that often misunderstands it. This is a conversation about finding your voice, facing your pain, and standing in your power—no matter what you've been through.

Episode Summary – Key Points

• Mary Kate and I connected on a deeply spiritual and emotional level during this conversation. Her energy is soft but strong, and she brought a powerful presence to the episode.
• She opened up about her past struggles with addiction and the inner disconnection that drove her to escape herself. She described it as a soul-level ache that couldn’t be fixed with anything outside of her.
• What stood out was her journey back to God, faith, and inner alignment—how surrendering to something bigger helped her move from survival into true healing.
• We explored the difference between the performative feminine and the embodied feminine—how true power doesn’t come from pleasing others or playing roles, but from owning who you are, unapologetically.
• Mary Kate shared how the feminine isn't weak—it’s deeply intuitive, nurturing, and powerful when integrated. She spoke about the importance of both women and men healing their relationship with the feminine within themselves.
• One of the most honest parts of the episode was when she described not feeling safe in her own body for years, and how trauma lived in her nervous system. Her healing came through not just therapy, but stillness, solitude, and spiritual surrender.
• We also talked about relationships, codependency, and how often women are taught to over-function—to rescue, to fix, to perform—rather than to receive or just be.
• Mary Kate brought incredible wisdom around boundaries, emotional honesty, and spiritual discipline—not as rigid rules, but as ways to honour yourself deeply.
• She spoke of prayer and silence as non-negotiables in her life, not just for healing but for clarity and direction. And how so many people are living in noise because they’re afraid of what the silence might reveal.
• A recurring message was the power of returning to your centre—whether you’re in a storm or a season of growth, you always have access to the still, knowing part of you that’s never broken.
• Her journey reminded me—and everyone listening—that healing is not about becoming someone else. It’s about remembering who you were before the world told you who to be.

In this episode of the Modern Warrior Podcast, I sit down with Brian Keane—fitness entrepreneur, best-selling author, ultra-endurance athlete, and one of the most focused minds I’ve ever come across. Brian shares powerful insights on discipline, self-awareness, and how to use pain as a teacher instead of a punishment.

We discuss the distinction between quitting and pivoting, strategies for staying consistent without burning out, and what it truly means to take ownership of your life. If you’re struggling with motivation, clarity, or direction, this conversation is a masterclass in overcoming obstacles and moving forward with purpose.

Episode Summary

• Brian Keane came into the studio with a calm confidence and intense focus that you could feel immediately. His clarity, discipline, and straight-talking mindset set the tone for one of the most insightful conversations I’ve had on this podcast.
• We began by discussing his early years and how his identity transitioned from teacher to full-time entrepreneur, highlighting the profound internal changes required to adapt to this shift, including a reevaluation of risk, self-belief, and purpose.
• Brian spoke about the difference between quitting and pivoting—how he learned that walking away from something that no longer serves you isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
• A big theme of the conversation was ownership—the idea that no one’s coming to save you. If you want something different, you have to take extreme responsibility for where you are and where you’re going.
• He shared how pain can be a teacher. Whether it’s emotional, physical, or situational, the key is to sit with it, learn from it, and let it shape—not break—you.
• We explored his ultra-endurance events and the mindset needed to get through them. For Brian, it's not about willpower—it’s about removing the option to quit. When you take quitting off the table, the path becomes clear.
• Brian opened up about loneliness, burnout, and navigating his internal world—topics that are often glossed over in conversations about high performance.
• One of the most practical pieces of advice he gave was to match your expectations to your capacity. Most people feel stuck because their ambition doesn’t line up with their daily habits.
• He spoke candidly about self-sabotage, the power of journaling, and how he uses triggers like judgment and comparison as cues for deeper self-reflection.
• We ended by talking about clarity and consistency. For Brian, it’s simple: Get clear on what you want, show up for it daily, and don’t outsource your happiness to anyone or anything outside of yourself.
• This wasn’t just a motivational conversation—it was a mirror. One that challenged me to get even more honest about the places where I’ve been holding myself back.

In this episode of the Modern Warrior Podcast, I welcome back Stephen Kelly—comedian, performer, father, and creator of the viral “Creamy Pints” character. Stephen was actually the first guest I ever invited back on the show, and for good reason. Our first chat only scratched the surface, and in this conversation, we go much deeper.

We talk about the challenges of fame, identity, fatherhood, mental health, and the pressure of keeping up appearances—online and off. Stephen opens up about the strain of performing, the struggle to find balance, and his journey through burnout, guilt, and growth. This is raw, real, and incredibly relatable for anyone trying to keep all the plates spinning. Let’s get into it.

🧠 Episode Summary – Key Points

• Stephen returned to the podcast after our first episode only scratched the surface—this time, he opened up with honesty and humour about the weight of being "Mr. Creamy Pints" and how that persona has taken on a life of its own.
• He spoke about how a casual Friday joke turned into a viral phenomenon, and how difficult it is now to separate his real identity from the one audiences expect, especially when they greet him with trays of pints at shows.
• Stephen expressed his deep desire to balance performance and peace, fitness and fun, fatherhood and fame. He dreams of periods of sobriety and self-discipline, but the culture and the crowds make it a constant challenge.
• We explored the mental load of being the face of the show while managing a chaotic schedule of events, podcasts, and family life. He’s a father of five, still does bits of plastering work, and is trying to juggle personal commitments with the demands of touring.
• His love for fitness and running marathons isn’t just physical—it’s how he finds mental clarity. But he admitted that lately, he hasn’t been getting the “bounce” or the reset he usually finds in those challenges.
• A big part of our talk centred around the internal guilt and shame that come after nights of heavy drinking or times when he doesn’t live up to his own standards. He described it as a form of self-whipping that stems from a Catholic guilt mindset.
• Stephen shared powerful insights about his mental resilience—the importance of self-awareness, taking ownership, and the value of clearing the air rather than letting resentment fester.
• We talked about the pressure to perform on stage and online, where content must constantly flow and expectations never end. He spoke candidly about loneliness, burnout, and the struggle to feel content even when things are going well.
• Despite the chaos, Stephen is fiercely grounded. He emphasised the importance of surrounding himself with real friends, showing up for his kids, and giving back through charity and community work.
• One of the most memorable takeaways was his ability to read energy—he described feeling the auras of others and knowing when someone’s intention is genuine or not. He carries that same sensitivity into his shows, always adjusting based on the energy of the crowd.
• In the end, Stephen reminded me—and all of us—that growth often comes through discomfort, and that chasing balance, not perfection, is what really matters.