Minister Varadkar Encourages Operation Transformation Hopefuls

Minister Varadkar Encourages Operation Transformation Hopefuls

12 November 2015: Today saw 20 hopeful candidates inch one step closer to becoming an Operation Transformation leader.

Candidates from all over Ireland gathered together for the first time in Sportslink Sports & Social Club in Santry to be physically and emotionally assessed for possible inclusion in the ninth series which is due to air on RT One in early January 2016.

Please find brief biog details and the participants home counties listed below (including counties Clare, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Waterford and Westmeath.)

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar appeared live on the Ray D'Arcy Show on RT Radio 1 earlier today from Sportslink in Santry and confirmed that he will be participating in the Operation Transformation 5K run for RT on 20th February 2016. The Minister also complimented the 20 potential leaders today.

Minister Varadkar said I wanted to admire what you're doing, I know it's not easy to put yourself forward and especially on camera but I think it's really important as lots of other people will follow what you're doing and you're an example because people need to see other people doing what you're doing so be proud of any embarrassment that you may cause yourselves as it's going to help others!

As part of a live RT Radio 1 broadcast Ray D'Arcy and his team put the 20 finalists through their paces asking them to share their personal stories; outline why they think they have what it takes to become a leader for Operation Transformation; and how their weight has affected their confidence, lifestyle and wardrobe to date.

Operation Transformation presenter Kathryn Thomas was on hand along with the four OT experts to encourage and motivate the assembled group. The four OT experts are Karl Henry, fitness expert, Dr. Eddie Murphy, a Principle Clinical Pyschologist with the HSE, Aoife Hearne - a registered dietitian and Healthy Ireland Council member and Dr. Ciara Kelly, GP and expert in family health.

Today's assessment day includes an aerobic test in the swimming pool and a group session with Dr. Eddie to uncover what has brought the 20 finalists to this point in their lives. The 20 hopefuls will also be assessed individually by all experts throughout the day. The chosen five brave, new leaders need to be willing to radically change their eating patterns, exercise habits, and be prepared to inspire RT viewers and listeners to follow them on their journey over 8 weeks in January and February 2016.

Next week from Tuesday 17 November to Friday 20 November, Kathryn Thomas will travel to the homes of the five selected leaders to unveil their participation in the series live on Ray's radio show on Radio 1 from 3pm. (The first two leaders will be revealed on Tuesday and one a day from then on) An expert will be in studio each day with Ray D'Arcy to discuss why each leader has been chosen.

Last year the five leaders Veronica Horgan, Eilish Kavanagh, Mark McArdle, Alan Mullen and Louise Ormsby - collectively lost almost 10 stone.

Last year's series was broadcast twice a week on RT One television with a consolidated average of 469,000 viewers.* The OT website had over 6.4 million page views during the eighth series. There were over 280,000 streams of Operation Transformation and Operation Transformation Extras on RT Player earlier this year. The Operation Transformation 5K run took place in the Phoenix Park in Dublin and Blarney Castle in Cork this year with over 8,000 people taking part.

Speaking in Santry today OT presenter Kathryn Thomas said, These 20 hopefuls have already conquered their fears and made a really courageous move by applying to be part of the series. I think they're wonderful for putting themselves out there I'm not sure I'd be so brave to open up my life to be followed by cameras for two months. Out of the hundreds of people that applied they downloaded the form, took a chance and filled it in and were brave enough to travel here today and say I want to change myself for the better. They've taken that first important step and they all deserve to be here. We want to find five people who will inspire and lead a nation and they won't transform just their own lives, they'll have helped transform countless other lives. We've seen that year after year with our leaders how they motivate people and that's what we're looking for today. I think they're all fantastic and whether they make it to the final five or not I wish each of them success and good health for 2016.

Ray D'Arcy, RT Radio 1 presenter said: I'm delighted to be a part of this year's Operation Transformation and I m looking forward to working with the leaders on this year's programme. I can only imagine the courage it takes to sign up and take part in a programme like this. Some people have really been through some harrowing times in their lives and it takes a huge amount of strength to stand up and want to take control of your life. These are real people with real life experiences and I'm looking forward to been a part of what will hopefully be a life changing experience for them all.

As Operation Transformation gets underway, The Ray D'Arcy Show will follow the leaders' journeys all the way to the grand finale in February. There will be more interactive content available on www.rte.ie

The ninth series of Operation Transformation will be sponsored by safefood.

Dermot Moriarty, Acting Director, Marketing & Communications, safefood said, As the signature sponsor of Operation Transformation, we're delighted with its continued success. It really gets the new year off to a healthy, active and positive start. Making practical changes to transform your he

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2015/1113/74159...
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