Operation Transformation is back, which means it's time to take stock, set goals for the year ahead, and – most importantly – meet your new OT leaders!
The new season will kick off on RTÉ One on Wednesday, 3 January at 9:35pm with five brand-new leaders as it continues to connect communities all over Ireland with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing.
Ahead of the 17th season kicking off, we can finally reveal that Michelle Rogan and Darragh Fitzgerald will join Anne Cushen, Noel O'Connell, and Edel O'Malley on the OT24 lineup.
Originally from Dublin, 36-year-old Michelle now lives in Kilmessan, Co. Meath, with her husband David and their three children, Layla (11), Danny (10) and Sam (1).
Michelle is a stay-at-home mom, who is constantly on the go and finds it hard to make time for herself. Five years ago, Michelle's sister Elizabeth passed away from sudden cardiac arrest, which has led Michelle to worry about her long-term health.
The mum of three would have been quite fit attending the gym and going to classes in the past, but hasn't been able to find the time for since her youngest was born. She hopes Operation Transformation will bring back her old self.
Speaking on her role as a leader, Michelle said: "What I would like most from Operation Transformation is to find myself again and not just be Mammy, become fit, healthy and learn to live a balanced lifestyle. I want to show other women in my position that we are worthy of an hour a day to ourselves."
Hailing from Co. Limerick, 37-year-old Darragh lives with his wife-to-be, Yvonne, and their two young children, Rian (8) and Roisin (2).
Rugby is a big part of Darragh's life, having played from a young age, and he now coaches underage and adult teams with St Mary’s.
As a teenager Darragh overcame a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, called Burkitts. He was 16 at the time and had a tumour removed from his bowel and underwent intense chemotherapy. Two years ago, Darragh was in hospital with an abnormal heart rhythm and was then diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
With all this in mind, he told the OT team that he wants to find a better work-life balance as he works long days and leads mostly a sedentary life. This year, he wants to make time for himself and his family.
Speaking on OT, Darragh said: "It's a superb opportunity really, to have the five experts at hand over the eight weeks. To lean on them and to tap into their knowledge and experience; to me that's invaluable.
"I am also looking forward to seeing how I, along with the other four leaders, progress over the 8 weeks, and in the end, it will all hopefully be worthwhile. The five of us keep referring to this as a journey, and essentially, that's what it is - the eight weeks, is only the start! "
