I was chatting to dear friend of mine recently, and took the opportunity to tell her how much she inspires me.
We first met at an outdoor pursuits festival where I was teaching beginners slackline workshops (and trying out new things, such as axe throwing).
We became friends quickly, with overlapping backgrounds in health & fitness. We quickly realised we would probably work well together, with both of us being sociable with a flair for performance, so we hatched plans to get her onto stilts, and the following summer she had her first stiltwalking gig.
This was for an Enchanted Fairy Festival in Kerry, and is probably the sweetest, most innocent and magical festival I’ve ever worked at in my almost 20 years of performing, so I was delighted to be able share it with her.
Scheduling conflicts meant we only had another couple of gigs together before the pandemic hit and the live events industries ceased completely.
Fast forward a few years, and her strength training and coaching has seen her travelling around Ireland in a van documenting Ireland’s ‘Iron Ladies’ Featuring Ireland's strongest women in Olympic Weightlifting, Strongwoman and Powerlifting.
In her own words
“February 2022 I travelled around Ireland in a van with my dog Sky on the most incredible journey. Capturing the essence of the women that compete in these strength sports.
I hope you feel inspired!”
I was delighted when she asked me to come to her film launch, so of course I went, because even though I don’t really have much interest in weightlifting, I have a strong interest in supporting my friends!
And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, she managed to take a niche sport and make it very accessible. No mean feat, and one which I’m sure has taken a tremendous amount of time and work.
She isn’t yet on hive, yet! But if you would like to be inspired, please do check out her documentary.
