Sinead conquered darkness in style

Sinead conquered darkness in style

18 June 2014

SINEAD McGarrigle is certainly one of life’s glass half full people.

With an infectious enthusiasm, the Seaforde woman — a rehabilitation trainer, craniosacral therapist and counsellor — gets her kicks out of helping those affected by both physical and mental illness.

Twelve years ago, however, it was a very different story.

Exhaustion had prompted a nervous breakdown, which left her in Belfast City Hospital and facing a major crossroads in her life.

Making a bargain with her GP, she said was going to try to sort her life out herself, with the help of mum and dad, and if that didn’t work she was coming back for any treatment he suggested.

She never had to make that return journey, and after going on to start up her own business Lifetime Health, she has produced a book (She’s Got the Whole World in her Hands) with some of the techniques that have helped her and many others.

“What I have documented are all of the things that I did to help myself out of that darkness,” she said. “In my job, I then continued to use what I had learnt to help others improve their life. So I guess the first thing I want to point out is that the information in this book works and I am living proof, so are my customers.

“The second is ‘trend’. I have observed the rise and fall of what is in, and what is out, from 1996 when I first became involved with health and personal development. They range from books, diets and even pills and all have their place. However, it will only ever come back to the one thing that will fully resolve whatever issue it is that you have, and that is ‘you’.”

Sinead started off with a career in personal fitness and rehabilitation, specialising in getting those with back problems moving again. But a love of keeping fit soon expanded as those getting their bodies back into action often shared other things that weren’t quite right in their life, Sinead then went back to university to study counselling and also now works as a life coach.

By being frank about her own problems, she hopes to encourage others to seek help.

“I can relate, I can understand as I have been there in that darkness,” she said.

“Keeping a journal was one of the biggest things that helped me.

“Seeing on a day to day basis what was affecting me, who was affecting me, what I was doing when they did affect me, was that good or bad for me. I developed strategies that gave me back my confidence.

“I was constantly saying yes...I learnt the word no.”

At her lowest point she says a voice in her head had clearly outlined the options.

“I think I will take life please,” she responded, starting up her business shortly afterwards in 2001.

Learning to forgive herself, she says, was another big hurdle.

“I was a young girl, back living with my parents,” she said. “I had a lot of anxiety and shame about that.

“Also at times it is about recognising what it is you are doing to attract the negativity. I had negative people in my life and I was actually allowing people to treat me badly.”

Emerging from that period of hibernation Sinead quickly began to help others and enjoyed writing her first book so much she is planning another one.

“If I had a quid for every customer who said I should write a book I would be loaded,” she said.

“At the end of the day I hope it will help people.

“You cannot see mental health, it is not like a cold or a flu, it is very much a silent thing. My message is — don’t suffer in silence.”

She’s Got the Whole World in Her Hands launched at Belfast’s Black Box last night and has its Downpatrick launch in Down Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 25 from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Sinead’s book is available for pre-order by contacting 07779 121274. It will also be on sale from the Lifetime Health website from next Wednesday.