Michael Mulcahy, Operation Transformation coach

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes, I do my best to have a healthy lifestyle at all times. From the day I joined as an Army recruit, it’s instilled in you to stay healthy and fit. Growing up I was always into fitness too – hurling, rugby and running.

How often do you exercise?

I live about 12km from work so I can jog or cycle to work and back.

At the weekends, I’m doing the challenges with the Operation Transformation leaders. My job is active too. I work in the school of physical education for all the Defence Forces so we teach the guys to be physical trainers, we do fitness tests, and combat and overseas battle readiness courses. I’m active five days a week with that.

Do you get your five a day?

I love vegetables but aside from an orange or a banana now and then, I’m not a lover of fruit.

Do you worry?

We all have worries. I’ve four kids and you’re worried about how they are going to do in school. And the mortgage has to be paid, the car has to be taxed, worries like that. But when you go out for a run, all that goes to the back of your mind.

With Operation Transformation, you can’t exactly ask the leaders to do what military people would do but at the same time, you want to set a good robust challenge. You want a happy medium where military people aren’t looking on saying “that’s ridiculous” and at the same time, you want civilians to see what we are all about – team building, team bonding and trust in each other, so there’s a bit of juggling there.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

I love the odd cigar and a pint of Guinness if I can get my hands on one. It might be a monthly treat; it depends on what’s left in the pocket.