‘Being a better version of ourselves’

Fundraiser extraordinaire and well-known Cavan Town barber, Lorraine O’Neill, took on a new challenge this week as she embarked on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation challenge with her usual good-humoured passion.

Here she speaks to the Celt about her hopes for the challenge ahead.

 

An energised Lorraine visited the Belturbet Railway Station on Monday evening to speak to scores of people who will be following her as one of the Team Leaders on the reality TV programme and also seeking to transform themselves for the better this new year. 
Earlier she was in Terry Coyle Park in Cavan Town to kick start the club’s own Operation Transformation programme for 2020.
“I don’t feel nervous about it at all but I am quite excited at this stage. My journey started some time ago when we applied to be part of the programme and we have had considerable time to adjust to the media attention and supporters being enthused by my willingness to take on the challenge,” she told the Celt this week.
There are five leaders involved this year and Lorraine says they all get on “great”. One girl had to pull out just before Christmas but there is a couple involved this year too.
Lorraine presents to the world very much as a bubbly, happy and gregarious person but she reveals for the first time her struggles “suffering from depression in my younger days”.
“It is something that comes back every now and then and you just have always got to watch yourself. I have days that I just don’t want to come to town or do anything. A lot more people have to know that this is normal enough to feel. If you are having a bad day, have a bad day and then continue on,” she advises.
“Operation Transformation is not just about losing weight – it is about the head, heart and your gut – it is about striving to be a better person in yourself,” explains Lorraine.
Lorraine had her little daughter Jodi a couple of years ago and she finds that her energy levels have dropped in the interim. 
“I am an older mother to be having younger children. I think it is very selfish of me if I don’t strive to live life with my children. I did not have children to sit at home in the house. This is all about feeling better, gaining energy, looking better and just being a better version of ourselves,” she says.

Chocolate downfall
Lorraine reveals that her diet is generally quite good but her downfall is chocolate. “I would have tea and chocolate and tea and biscuits. If I could cut that out, it would be a help,” she laughs.
Lorraine is already enjoying the tips on cooking and using the natural produce that is available locally.
Her partner Terry supports her all the way but will be avoiding the spotlight. 
“This is the complete opposite to what he would be into – he would be more private – he won’t like cameras, but he will be grand.” Their little girl Jodi and the older daughter Mia are also fascinated by their mother’s challenge and the constant attention of the cameras.
Dealing with the media for over a decade during her fundraising campaign for better CF facilities in the county has given Lorraine confidence to take this challenge in her stride.
Lorraine says that €1.4million was spent on the new in-patient unit at Cavan General Hospital and half of that came from generous Cavan people. 
“I knew from all the support I got through the CF fundraising, that I would get great support in embarking on this challenge. The support I have always had in Cavan is like a blanket coming around me.”

Lorraine’s journey starts on RTÉ1 this evening (Wednesday) at 9:30pm.