Irish Olympian and international hockey star Shane O’Donoghue has launched Mentally Fit in Ireland with former Trinity College lecturer Graham Merriman.
Irish Olympian and international hockey player Shane O’Donoghue has launched a corporate performance coaching organisation in Ireland.
The 27-year-old launched Mentally Fit, which is a Belgian coaching institute, with for Trinity College lecturer and performance coach Graham Merriman.
Mentally Fit was originally founded in 1996 by Alain Goudsmet as an international coaching institute which specialised in human energy management for individuals, teams and organisations. The company currently has a presence in Europe, Latin-America, Africa, Middle East and South-East Asia.
The programme delivers coaching and workshops inspired by top sportspeople and validated by science and applied to the corporate world in pursuit of excellence.
“There is a great understanding and appreciation in the value of human performance coaching in Ireland”
O’Donoghue, who is Ireland’s all-time leading goal scorer, has suffered several setbacks and disappointments throughout his career, and plans to use his learnings to inspire others.
These moments of disappointment are when mental strength, preparation and tools have been key to turning things around, and this is what led Shane to a career in personal development and coaching off the field in a corporate setting.
“There is a great understanding and appreciation in the value of human performance coaching in Ireland,” said O’Donoghue.
“Through these testing times, we all need some level of support and guidance to help build resilience, manage our energy and perform to the best of our abilities. During my international sporting career of 10 years and counting, I have experienced the highs and lows of both domestic and international tournaments including the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“I am a firm believer in the science behind Mentally Fit and I am really looking forward to seeing some amazing results for Irish companies similar to what has been seen in Belgium and across the world over the past 24 years.”
Mentally Fit is based on the principles that enhancing performance can occur at three levels; individual, team and organisational.
“Through these testing times, we all need some level of support and guidance to help build resilience, manage our energy and perform to the best of our abilities”
Every individual holds potential and through building a trusting relationship and coaching the personality rather than the individual, that potential can be unlocked.
The performance standards of the team is made up of the individual strengths within the team and when these strengths are aligned, it is extremely satisfying. Every team is unique and different but the internal standards, behaviours and expectations of one another is what strengthens the bond thus improving the performance levels.
Finally, organisational success derives from the clarity in the vision, growth mindset and supportive leadership. Coaching from the top down helps create the optimal environment for continual improvement, high level success and the freedom to learn and develop.
Since 1996, Mentally Fit has worked with a range of highly successful global companies including Nike, Adidas, Deloitte, Heineken, PWC, and Subway.
By Stephen Larkin
Published: 23 September, 2020
