We caught up with Operation Transformation host Kathyn Thomas to discuss her 12th season on the long-running show and her work with celebrity stylist Clémentine MacNeice.
Having completed the OT 5k run in the Phoenix Park this past Saturday, Kathryn Thomas has wrapped her 12th season of Operation Transformation and is reflecting on her favourite moments of the show ahead of tonight's grand finale.
"The 5k was amazing," she tells me over the phone. "We had a massive turnout, it was huge, and just to feel that support was amazing. It's my favourite day apart from assessment day which happens in November when we meet the 25 finalists who have applied to be on the show."
"That day blows my mind every year because you really feel the courage. There's a kind of electricity in the room, it's nervous energy and people are feeling very vulnerable and so exposed, I suppose. By the end of that day, there's a huge strength and a confidence that comes with having faced their fears.
"With the 5k," she continues, "the Leaders get to experience and see and feel and meet the support that has been keeping them buoyed over the past eight weeks. That is where the magic happens. I ran beside Thomas and every pat on the back, every hand on the shoulder, every 'well done' - it's very overwhelming."
"It's kind of magic to be a part of it," she adds "and I feel that every year. Every year we meet five people with a different story and a different life and a different experience. I'm never not impressed by it."
Although the OT community makes a point of staying in touch with Leaders past and present, saying farewell to each year's group of Leaders feels oddly reminiscent of the last day of summer camp.
After weeks of vulnerability, tears, laughter, personal stories, and plenty of texts over WhatsApp - it's time to say goodbye.
"It's so bittersweet. Being a part of these people's lives and then suddenly you're not in their houses and you're not meeting up to have the craic in Stradbally, you're not out for runs. It is, that's probably the best way to put it, it's like a summer camp break-up," she laughs.
"We stay in touch because it's so important that all our Leaders get an aftercare programme," she explains. "Dr. Eddie and all our experts will stay in touch because it's a really big shift, psychologically, for them. The experts really work hard to ensure there are enough tools and education there that the Leaders can keep going."
As well as pulling on the experience of the expert panel of health and wellbeing experts, Leaders have often leaned on the support of Leaders of days gone by. Something that was very prominent this year, with 2022 Leader Stefano shared tips with Marie on how to quit smoking, and 2022 Leader Sarah got in touch to support Andrea with her family's food plan.
"Our Leaders have always been advocates for our show," agrees Kathryn. "It was a priority this year to embed them into the show. Every year, they always reach out to our new Leaders anyway, it was just never on camera."
"It's a very unique thing to be a Leader on Operation Transformation," she muses. "It takes a lot of balls - for want of a better expression - because not everybody would do it. You're opening your heart and your home and your family and your vulnerabilities. It's a very unique place to be. That's why I think our ex Leaders really get behind our current Leaders."
As well as following the ups and downs of each of the five Leaders, viewers of OT have been following Kathryn's style journey on the show. Each week, fans race to the host's Instagram page to find out where she picked up her latest look.
This, she says, is down to the work of celebrity stylist Clémentine MacNeice.
"I styled myself for years, but with two kids running around and school pick-ups gone are the days where I could amble into town and spend hours trying on clothes," she laughs. "Those days are gone. If I can get a shower in the morning and put a clean bra on, I'm winning the day."
"For Clem to come on has just been brilliant. I trust her so much. She comes over when the kids are with a childminder or gone to bed, and will bring me through all these pieces. She knows my body and knows what works and, equally, I know what I like."
With another season of OT behind her, Thomas is focusing on some yet-to-be-named projects with RTÉ as well as her fitness business, Pure Results.
"We have a great weekend retreat coming up in Barretstown," she says. "I'm an ambassador for Barretstown so to be able to bring Pure Results there and give back to the charity. That's going to be an Easter weekend with a difference."
Operation Transformation finale airs Wednesday at 21:30 on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
