Lorraine set to lead the way on Operation Transformation

Lorraine O'Neill from Redhills is the fifth and final Operation Transformation leader announced for 2020
Lorraine (46) lives with her partner, Terry, and their two children, Mia (11) and Jodie (2). Despite being together for 12 years, the couple have never done the wedding thing. With a large family of six siblings, of which she is the eldest, she is surrounded by love and support. 

Having left school at 14 years, Lorraine began working as a hairdresser, opening her own barber shop at 23, which she still owns. Balancing this with home life can be difficult: Her daughter Mia developed an asthmatic cough at four months, and went on to be diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. 

Lorraine realised there were two ways Mia could live: Her parents could either shelter her or let her be a child and if she picked up an infection, they would deal with it. Mia lives a normal life but it is hard. 

Realising that Cavan has no facilities for caring for Mia, Lorraine began fundraising and became well-known in the community for her efforts. Part of this was keeping fit through marathons and walks, but once the fundraising was done, her body began to relax. Along came Jodie and Lorraine says she got lazy, but maybe she was just burnt out from so many years of hard work. 

On top of this, Lorraine is still grieving for her sister, Róisín, who passed away five years ago after a long battle with stomach cancer. She feels her absence every day. 

Lorraine isn't just concerned about her weight. She believes that when you hit a certain age everything becomes like Groundhog Day. Before, she wasn't in the right headspace to apply for the show, but now - four years away from turning 50 - she wants to get back on track.

Her greatest weakness is chocolate, and just one biscuit will lead to a pack. Lorraine loves to cook, but the house due to Mia's CF is full of chocolate, crisps, good and bad fats.

As well as the self-image aspect, Lorraine feels she has lost her true identity. She said she feels like an actress, putting on a confident front while she feels terrible inside. She suffered with depression in her 20s, which still emerges from time to time.

Lorraine knows she has so much life in her and so much life to live. Every day she wakes up grateful for her daughters. They are her life but she needs to feel herself again. Lorraine believes she is a born motivator, but unfortunately, she can't motivate herself. She believes if given the chance she wouldn't let us or herself down.