Authors
Unstoppable Stories 2
Jaque Almeida
Jaque Almeida is a Brazilian-born World Champion in Jiu-Jitsu, TEDx Speaker, mentor, and advocate for women’s empowerment. From a childhood of emotional struggle to standing on the world stage, her journey is one of resilience, faith, and transformation. Today, she inspires women globally to move beyond external measures of success and step into their true confidence, worth, and authenticity.
Born in Brazil and shaped by challenge from an early age, Jaque Almeida’s story is one of grit, courage, and awakening. When she moved across the world to Ireland, her love for Jiu-Jitsu became more than a sport, it became her sanctuary for self-discovery, healing, and empowerment.
In 2022, Jaque achieved one of her greatest dreams: winning gold at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships. Yet, it was her 2024 return, without a medal, that sparked her deepest realisation. In that moment of “defeat,” she discovered a profound truth: her worth was never measured by titles or podiums. It was found within, in her resilience, her faith, and her unwavering authenticity.
Today, Jaque’s mission extends far beyond the mat. Through her coaching, mentorship, and speaking, she empowers women to rewrite their stories, build self-confidence, and break free from limiting beliefs. Her message is simple yet transformative: victory is not in the medal, it’s in becoming the person you were always meant to be.
“The greatest win is not the title, it’s the awakening of who you truly are.”
Joanie O’Hanlon
Joanie O’Hanlon is a passionate thought leader and mentor dedicated to empowering women to create expansive, joyful, and prosperous lives. Drawing from her own experiences overcoming trauma and postnatal depression, Joanie has developed a deep understanding of the transformative power of mindset and healing. Through her personal journey and extensive training, she is now a guiding force for ambitious women seeking to break free from limiting beliefs and achieve their fullest potential.
As the co-founder of The Collective Membership and a mindset mentor at Bloom Academy, Joanie specialises in helping female entrepreneurs and mothers overcome challenges and unlock their personal and professional potential. Her mentorship provides a safe, supportive environment where women can transform their thinking, break old patterns, and discover the untapped power within their minds.
Joanie is a certified Proctor Gallagher Consultant, having trained under the late Bob Proctor. She facilitates Proctor Gallagher Institute’s acclaimed Thinking Into Results program, teaching high-performance leadership and wealth-building strategies. With over 15 years of coaching experience, she guides her clients in making profound breakthroughs, both professionally and personally.
Originally trained in Public Relations and Journalism, Joanie transitioned early in her career to pursue her true passion: helping people transform their lives. Through her work, she’s created a space for women to find strength, hope, and inspiration, offering them the tools and support to break through challenges and embrace their potential.
Joanie’s mission is to empower women, particularly mothers, who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or exhausted by life’s demands, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and create the life they deserve. She believes every woman is just one thought away from a life-changing awakening that will reignite their sense of purpose and rediscover the beauty of their own potential.
Above all, Joanie is deeply committed to her family and community. She lives each day with gratitude and introspection, continually striving to grow so she can better serve others. Her mantra: "Squeeze all the juice out of this beautiful thing called life."
To find out more, you can find Joanie on Instagram @iamjoanieohanlon and via email at iamjoanieohanlon@gmail.com.
Alison Matthews
Alison Matthews is a trailblazer and organiser extraordinaire, celebrated for her non-conformist spirit and insatiable curiosity. From a young age, Alison questioned societal norms, driven by her belief that learning is as essential as oxygen. This passion has fuelled her mission to empower others to challenge conventions, even when faced with formidable obstacles.
Since 2014, Alison has been a dynamic force in the business world as an author, speaker, and serial networker. She was among the first virtual assistants in Northern Ireland, founding VirtuAli Administrative Solutions. Her pioneering work earned her recognition as Northern Ireland's Virtual Assistant of the Year in 2020.
Alison's expertise extends beyond traditional roles; she is a dedicated guide for those looking to monetise their knowledge through standout courses. Her commitment to empowerment is evident in her efforts to help others unveil their hidden talents and share their insights through online events and courses.
With a knack for setting up time-saving tools and automations, Alison supports small businesses in optimising their operations. Her influence continues to grow as she inspires individuals to embrace their superpowers and effect change in their communities.
You can find out more at www.virtuali.uk
Paula Croskery
Paula Croskery is a compassionate and empathetic individual with nearly 40 years of experience as a trusted hairdresser and confidant. Known for enhancing her clients’ outer beauty while lifting their spirits, Paula has built lifelong connections rooted in genuine care, presence, and understanding.
Her journey of self-discovery has been deeply transformative, revealing how unresolved trauma can manifest as both physical and emotional challenges. Through inner child work, trauma healing, and exploration of natural breath and energy, Paula has embraced profound personal growth, and now supports others on their own healing journeys.
A proud mother of two, Paula considers motherhood one of her greatest achievements, alongside owning and running a successful salon for 15 years. This chapter of her life brought financial independence and fostered deep, meaningful friendships, with many clients becoming part of her extended family.
Paula’s mission is to uplift and empower others, helping them recognise their worth, strength, and potential. She believes in cherishing each day as a gift and in creating safe, supportive spaces where healing can unfold. Inspired by her studies in trauma and mindset work, she is particularly passionate about fostering understanding between caregivers and children, nurturing deeper emotional connection and compassion.
Striving to live a life of authenticity and care, Paula is devoted to helping others feel valued, safe, and empowered. She believes deeply in the power of healing, transformation, and every individual’s ability to shine.
Shannon Kirkpatrick
Shannon Kirkpatrick: A Gentle Force of Empowerment
Have you ever felt trapped, unheard, or powerless? That was my reality as I navigated the aftermath of coercive control following separation. While the term coercive control is often discussed, what’s frequently missing is a clear path forward, a roadmap for surviving and healing physically, mentally, and emotionally.
My experience left me feeling isolated, confused, and deeply frustrated, with no one who truly understood or could relate. That is why I chose to share my story, because no one should have to walk this journey alone.
Today, I stand as an advocate for empowerment and transformation. My mission is to help you reclaim your voice, your values, and your beliefs. You are entitled to your own opinions and the courage to express them, free from fear, manipulation, or influence. Words matter. Actions matter. You matter. Every small step you take toward reclaiming your life is a meaningful victory.
So, who am I? I’m Shannon Kirkpatrick, a gentle yet determined force of resilience and hope. For over 18 years, I have dedicated my life to nursing, caring for others with compassion, strength, and presence. Yet my greatest triumph has been rediscovering myself and fully embracing the role of a proud, loving mother to my children.
I am here to guide and support you as you break free from the grip of coercive control and step into your power. I am here to remind you that you are worthy of freedom, happiness, and a life that feels truly your own. Together, we will uncover your inner strength and build a future shaped by courage, clarity, and resilience.
Vanessa Kilcullen
Vanessa Kilcullen is a devoted mother, compassionate nurse, and the visionary Founder of Calming Little Feet, a heart-centred business dedicated to empowering families through baby massage, first aid training, workshops, and events, including customised courses for the deaf community.
Vanessa’s life took a profound turn following the tragic loss of her sister to suicide. This deeply personal experience reshaped her purpose and ignited a mission to transform pain into meaningful action. Determined to honour her sister’s memory, Vanessa channels her grief into mental health advocacy, courageously sharing her story to inspire empathy, understanding, and open dialogue around mental health and suicide prevention. She firmly believes that even in life’s darkest moments, connection, healing, and hope remain possible.
Through Calming Little Feet, Vanessa supports parents and caregivers in building deep, meaningful bonds with their children, fostering confidence, connection, and empowerment from the very beginning. Her inclusive approach, including tailored first aid training for the deaf community, reflects her commitment to ensuring essential skills are accessible to all.
Based in Dublin, Vanessa draws daily inspiration from her loving husband and four children, who remain her greatest source of strength. With compassion at her core, she is devoted to breaking the silence surrounding suicide, supporting others through loss, and creating a lasting legacy of love, resilience, and transformation.
Geraldine McGrath
Geraldine McGrath is the CEO of Emotional Freedom Pathways, an Emotional Freedom Advocate, award-winning podcast host, international best-selling author, Speak, TEDx and International Speaker. With over two decades of experience and a deeply personal journey through emotional pain, she now dedicates her life to guiding others toward healing, empowerment, and emotional freedom.
Geraldine McGrath has built her life’s work around one core mission: to help others break free from emotional pain and reclaim their freedom. As the founder and CEO of Emotional Freedom Pathways, she empowers individuals through programmes, events, and resources that nurture healing, resilience, and self-discovery.
Her approach is rooted in realness and authenticity, blending her expertise as a suicide prevention tutor, addictions trainer, inner child therapist, and trauma-informed practitioner with the wisdom of her lived experience. Geraldine’s teachings emphasize that emotional freedom is not a destination, but a continuous journey of growth, alignment, and courage.
As the award-winning host of the Radiate Realness podcast, Geraldine holds space for transformative conversations that spark awareness, healing, and hope. She is also an accomplished speaker, having taken the Speak and TEDx stage and served as TEDx Communications Lead (2022), and has inspired audiences across Ireland and beyond through her powerful keynotes, workshops, and retreats.
Guided by her values of love, integrity, and curiosity, Geraldine is committed to creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Her work continues to inspire ripples of change worldwide, encouraging others to embrace their truth and step boldly into emotional freedom.
“Emotional freedom isn’t something you find, it’s something you embody, one courageous step at a time.”