Operation Transformation is back, so it's time to break out the leggings, start counting those steps and – most importantly – meet your new leaders!
Taking on a challenge like OT in the midst of one of the most globally challenging years in recent times is no mean feat, so you can guarantee this year's five leaders are made of tough stuff.
When many of us would – understandably – prefer to sit on the couch and eat our way into the new year, these leaders have stepped forward to make changes in their lives, and do it all on television.
Each day for the next few days, we'll reveal a new leader and tell you everything you need to know about them.
The time is now...to put down the Festive 5oz!!🎄😋 😂
— OT RTÉ (@OpTranRTE) January 5, 2021
Drumroll please for #OperationTransformation leader number 4, Paul from Galway 🙌🙌 We'll be posting our LAST reveal here tomorrow, and don't forget we're back on telly TOMORROW at 9.35pm on @RTEOne 😃 pic.twitter.com/NioMsyuCQw
Paul Devaney
Age: 41
Occupation: Construction Water Liaison Officer
Location: Galway
Weight: 15 stone 5lbs
Paul is an Operation Transformation follower, having watched the show with his family for a number of years and even following the food plans at home, with his wife Mary printing out the recipes for them. The couple live in Tuam with their daughters Macheala, 14, and Katie, 10.
After years of watching other leaders reach their goals and overcome their fears, Paul finally took the leap and applied this year. As it turns out, his daughter Katie said to his wife that they should submit an application for him, and were about to before he revealed that he already had applied!
A true music lover, Paul has been responsible for organising a country music festival in his town for the last three years. The Wild West Country Festival had been a roaring success, and he was devastated when it had to be cancelled this year due to Covid.
Paul's issues with his weight started when he gave up smoking in 2007. At that time he was smoking 60 cigarettes a day, but incredibly he went cold turkey and hasn’t smoked since. Though there are other after effects of his habit, as he says since giving up the smoking that he would have problems with his chest.
Paul works for a construction company; his job involves checking water meters across the midlands. He would be up and down on his knees all day whilst also clocking up a lot of mileage week to week, which leads to dashboard dining and a lack of movement day to day.
Despite his interest in the OT food plans over the years, Paul wouldn’t have the best diet due to his lifestyle on the road. He tries to be good but he says he can’t pass a chipper without going in he is a sucker for the brown bag.
Family is the main driving force behind Paul applying he wants to be healthy for them. He would like them all to be able to do the cliff walk in Doolin and not be out of breath.
Paul says he struggles to do anything with the kids at the moment and he is only 41. A number of medical conditions have made things more challenging, as Paul was diagnosed with sleep apnea and has been on a C-Pap machine for the last year.
