#102 Horses, Hotels & Homelessness

Garry Talks

In this episode of "Garry Talks," host Garry Kelly interviews Korina Duffy, a single parent who overcame homelessness and alcohol dependency to establish a successful fitness business, Eco Fitness, in Dublin. Korina shares her journey, detailing her struggles with relationships, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. She recounts a tumultuous period involving her brother's severe accident, her relationship breakdowns, and moving to Dublin. Despite numerous challenges, Korina emphasises the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and therapy in her transformation. Her story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the power of determination and personal growth.

For more information on Korina please visit her website https://www.ecofitness.ie/

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[object Object]Introduction to Korina's Story (00:00:00)
Korina reflects on her past struggles and the unsustainable lifestyle she faced.

Welcome to Garry Talks (00:00:16)
Garry introduces Korina, highlighting her journey from homelessness to running a successful fitness business.

Korina's Marriage and Past Trauma (00:00:37)
Korina discusses her brief marriage and the challenges of dealing with past traumas.

Becoming Homeless (00:01:13)
Korina recounts the moment she and her children were thrown out and became homeless.

Overview of GK Media Podcast (00:01:17)
The narrator introduces the GK Media podcast network and its mission.

Garry's Praise for Korina (00:01:30)
Garry expresses admiration for Korina's story and its potential to inspire others.

Korina's Early Career in Galway (00:01:48)
Korina shares her experiences working in a factory and the party lifestyle in Galway.

Desire to Open a Sandwich Shop (00:02:11)
Korina reminisces about her dream of opening a sandwich shop while working in the factory.

Meeting Her Future Husband (00:04:03)
Korina recounts meeting her husband, a chef, during a holiday, leading to a surprise pregnancy.

Surprise Pregnancy (00:05:41)
Korina shares her emotional reaction to discovering her unexpected pregnancy at a young age.

Taking Over a Restaurant (00:07:42)
Korina discusses the opportunity to take over a restaurant and the challenges that followed.

Transition from Factory Job (00:08:00)
Korina explains leaving her factory job to run the restaurant and manage the B&B.

Challenges of Running the Restaurant (00:09:08)
Korina reflects on the difficulties of managing the restaurant and maintaining a family life.

Writing a Business Plan (00:09:28)
Korina describes the process of creating a business plan for their restaurant venture.

Partnership Dynamics (00:10:16)
Korina discusses the dynamics of working with her husband and his business partner.

The Restaurant's Popularity (00:12:38)
Korina recalls the restaurant's success and the vibrant atmosphere it once had.

Balancing Work and Family (00:13:19)
Korina shares her struggles in balancing work responsibilities and family life after having children.

Financial Struggles and Expansion (00:14:08)
Korina talks about the unsustainable nature of their business expansion and financial pressures.

Impact of the Financial Crash (00:15:49)
Korina reflects on how the financial crash affected their business and personal life.

Marriage and Relationship Challenges (00:16:14)
Korina discusses her marriage, its challenges, and the impact of their separation.

Rumors and Community Pressure (00:17:12)
Korina shares experiences of dealing with rumors and community pressure following her separation.

Understanding Anger in Relationships (00:17:53)
Korina discusses her feelings of anger related to her partner's busy lifestyle and financial stress.

Balancing Work and Home Life (00:18:06)
She reflects on managing multiple jobs while being a stay-at-home mom and the challenges that arose.

Unsustainable Lifestyles (00:18:14)
Korina expresses frustration over unsustainable spending habits and lifestyle choices affecting their finances.

Mental Health and Relationships (00:20:03)
She shares the toll of financial strain on her mental health and the impact on her relationship.

Divorce and Bitterness (00:20:57)
Korina discusses the bitterness during her two-year separation and the challenges faced post-divorce.

Financial Struggles Post-Divorce (00:22:00)
She recounts the difficulties of financial strain following her separation, including car repossession.

Emotional Release from Divorce (00:23:28)
Korina describes feeling a sense of relief after returning the car to her ex-husband.

Fitness as Therapy (00:24:09)
She emphasizes the importance of her fitness classes as a therapeutic outlet during tough times.

New Relationships Amidst Chaos (00:26:42)
Korina shares her experience of meeting someone new during her challenging period and the relationship that followed.

Building a Fitness Business (00:27:29)
She reflects on her growing fitness business and the satisfaction it brought her during hard times.

Starting a Teeth Whitening Business (00:29:11)
Korina explains how she and a friend launched a teeth whitening business to generate income.

Decision to Move to Dublin (00:32:08)
She discusses the decision to move to Dublin for a fresh start and the challenges of finding housing.

Coping with Family Tragedy (00:33:47)
Korina recounts the traumatic experience of her brother's car accident and its impact on her family.

A Difficult Moment (00:35:57)
Korina describes a traumatic incident involving her brother and the emotional turmoil it caused.

Decision at Beaumont (00:36:45)
Discussion on the critical decision regarding her brother's life support, highlighting family struggles.

Breakdown of Relationships (00:37:40)
Korina shares how her relationship with Brian deteriorated due to stress and family crises.

Unexpected Connections (00:38:05)
Garry reflects on a prior connection with Korina's family, revealing small world coincidences.

Raymond's Care (00:38:25)
Details about her brother Raymond's current living situation and the aftermath of his accident.

Traveling for Family (00:38:50)
Korina discusses her challenges balancing family support and her relationship with Brian.

Grieving Ray (00:39:16)
Korina expresses her feelings of loss regarding her brother's changed state after his coma.

Homelessness and Reunification (00:41:01)
Korina recounts her journey back to living with Brian and the challenges they faced.

Self-Reflection and Responsibility (00:41:50)
Korina reflects on her past and recognizes her role in recurring life patterns.

Coping Mechanisms (00:42:53)
Discussion of her past substance use as coping tools for her struggles.

Counseling Journey (00:43:36)
Korina shares her experiences with counseling and the importance of finding the right therapist.

Understanding Triggers (00:46:30)
Insights into her emotional triggers and the need for personal growth.

Childhood Trauma (00:48:07)
Korina reveals her past trauma and its impact on her adult relationships.

Victim to Survivor (00:49:02)
Transformation from feeling like a victim to taking charge of her healing journey.

Coping Tools and Wellness (00:51:31)
Korina discusses finding healthier coping mechanisms beyond exercise and substances.

New Home, New Challenges (00:52:22)
Korina describes moving into a new house and the stress that followed.

Communication Styles (00:53:11)
Exploration of differing communication styles in her relationship with Brian and their impact.

Relationship Struggles and Future Plans (00:54:49)
Korina discusses her argument with Brian about having children and her investment in her business.

Leaving the Relationship (00:56:30)
Korina describes packing bags and deciding to leave Brian for the sake of her children.

Confrontation at Home (00:57:12)
Korina recounts the tense moment when Brian refuses to let her and the kids back into the house.

Police Involvement (01:00:58)
The police arrive to enforce Brian's order for Korina to leave his property, complicating the situation.

Seeking Shelter (01:02:21)
Korina's struggle to find a place to stay leads her to contact a women's shelter, facing challenges with her dog.

Temporary Housing Offer (01:03:51)
A friend offers Korina a place to stay, which she initially views as a short-term solution.

Moving Out (01:04:32)
Korina details her decision to remove her belongings from Brian's house, symbolising her break from the relationship.

Financial Struggles and Support (01:06:41)
Korina discusses her financial challenges and the support she received from her brother and ex-husband.

Overcoming Addiction (01:08:20)
Korina shares her decision to quit alcohol, which she identifies as a crucial step in her personal growth.

Empowerment and Future Goals (01:10:37)
Korina reflects on her business, Eco Fitness, and her desire to help others while focusing on her own success.