Change your mindset, urges Dubs star Philly

DUBLIN footballer Philly McMahon is urging people to change their mindset in order to improve their physical and mental health.

The Ballymun Kickhams defender will be talking to GAA members around the country over the next four weeks as an ambassador for the GAA Healthy Clubs Roadshow.

Speaking to Northside People before the roadshow’s Leinster event in Croke Park last Saturday, Philly explained how Irish people’s outlook on life is damaging their overall health.

“One of the big areas I would like to go after is about the mindset,” McMahon says.

“We wake up every morning, we look at the weather and we’re constantly thinking negative thoughts throughout the day. 

“The foundation of getting healthy either physically or nutritionally is based around your mindset. If you get that right you’ll get the other two right.”

The GAA Healthy Clubs Roadshow, launched at Craobh Chiaráin GAA Club, Donnycarney, earlier this year, will showcase the Healthy Clubs initiative, focused on improving physical and mental wellbeing in GAA clubs around the country.

A number of programmes will be delivered to clubs focused on areas including healthy eating, community development and anti-smoking.

McMahon will be focusing specifically on mental health in his role as an ambassador and aims to try and change the way people look at life.

“This country has struggled with our mental health and there’s no wonder it has,” McMahon says.

“They say depression breeds negativity, whereas negativity breeds depression so we need to think of it that way as well.”

As well as having won four All-Ireland Championships and seven Leinster Championships with the Dubs, McMahon has kept busy with his own healthy foods business and starting his own charity.

Inspired by his brother, who died in 2012 after suffering from drug abuse, the charity will focus on helping drug addicts and high-risk youths.

An active member of the community in Ballymun, McMahon spoke about how the suburb has changed in recent times and how the Healthy Clubs project can improve it.

“When we had the (Ballymun) flats, we had symbols; a place to go and everybody knew each other,” McMahon says.

“It’s only now that the flats are gone that you realise that there’s not as much interaction as there used to be, and that’s happening in communities all over Ireland. 

“The GAA clubs can be a focal point for people to come to. If you’re not into sport, that’s fine but we’re here to help you and be an ear for you if you want to talk about something,” he adds.

Over 60 clubs around Ireland are currently participating in the Healthy Clubs project, including Dublin clubs Craobh Chiaráin, Raheny GAA Club, Kilmacud Crokes and Thomas Davis.

It is the goal of the GAA to gradually phase the Healthy Clubs project into every GAA club nationwide.

REPORT: Daniel O’Connor