Mapping a Life of Courage

Identity, Healing and the Extraordinary of the Ordinary

In one of the most moving conversations I’ve had for the podcast, I sat down with James Sweetman, a man whose life journey reminds us of the strength and resilience that lives within each of us. His story is one of courage, identity, healing, and a profound appreciation for the beauty found in everyday life.

James grew up carrying the heavy weight of feeling unseen and different. As a child and young adult, fear and bullying shaped much of his world, leaving him disconnected from his true self. For many years, he excelled academically and professionally, yet lived with the quiet ache of not being fully known - even to himself.

It wasn’t until his 30s that James found the courage to embrace his identity as a gay man. This chapter of his life marked the beginning of true authenticity - no longer striving for external approval but instead honouring who he really was.

Life tested James in even deeper ways when he was diagnosed with both bladder and skin cancer. These experiences became powerful teachers, bringing him face-to-face with his own mortality. Yet, rather than being defined by illness, James chose to see these moments as turning points - an invitation to step into life with even greater awareness and gratitude.

Through his healing journey, James discovered a truth that many of us often overlook: the ordinary is extraordinary. A simple walk in nature with the dogs, a conversation with a loved one, or even the quiet moments of reflection become treasures when viewed through the lens of presence and appreciation.

James beautifully describes life as a map, reminding us that we are the map makers of our own journeys. Sometimes, that means revisiting the past with fresh eyes - seeing old wounds with compassion, and recognising how far we’ve come. Other times, it means courageously charting new paths that honour who we truly are.

This conversation with James is not just about survival; it’s about living fully, authentically, and with open-hearted courage. His story is a gentle yet powerful reminder that resilience is born not from never falling, but from rising again - and choosing to see the light in life’s simplest, yet most profound, moments.

If you’ve ever felt unseen, if you’ve carried fear in silence, or if you’ve struggled to embrace your true self, James’s story will speak directly to your heart. It is a celebration of authenticity, healing, and the extraordinary power of everyday miracles.

You can listen to the full conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Run, Walk, Talk - A New Pathway for Wellbeing


In honour of Men’s Health Week, I was honoured to share a conversation with Eoghan Roe on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, Eoghan is a wise and humble soul at just 28 years old. Eoghan is a teacher, fitness coach, and breathwork facilitator in training. But more than that, he is a young man deeply committed to connection, both within himself and within his community.

Feeling the pangs of isolation and disconnection in his own life, Eoghan decided to do something most people don’t: he took a brave step toward change. He created Run, Walk, Talk, a simple, soulful initiative that brings people together in nature to move, share, and connect. It’s free. It’s welcoming. And it’s exactly what many are craving in today’s fast-paced, digitally saturated world, a return to genuine human connection.

Eoghan’s journey of self-awareness began with loneliness, but it is being guided by courage. Through his training in breathwork, he has learned to pause, to ground, to feel -rather than suppress what arises within. In his words and presence, there’s a gentleness, a quiet strength that comes from doing the inner work and daring to create something meaningful for others.

As I listened to Eoghan, I found myself reflecting deeply:

How do we expect men to show up in the world today?
What beliefs have been inherited from generations past that tell men to stay silent, to be strong, to never crumble?
Is it finally time we allow men to be human first - feeling, sensitive, struggling, healing—without shame?

Because the truth is, it’s not just young men like Eoghan who are feeling the ache of disconnection. Men of all ages, particularly those over 30, are facing a quiet crisis of loneliness and emotional suppression. Research from Ireland shows that men aged 30–44 are among the loneliest age group, with many struggling to maintain friendships or find spaces where they can open up safely. (The Irish Times)

And yet, the cultural script hasn’t changed fast enough.

Too many men are still silently carrying the burden of:

  • Emotional pain they don’t know how to name.

  • Societal expectations that define worth by productivity, stoicism, and status.

  • A lack of meaningful spaces where they can just be without fixing, performing, or pretending.

So today, I gently ask:
How are the men in your life showing up for themselves?
Are they creating space for rest, reflection, and reconnection?
Are they surrounded by people who really see them - beyond their roles, titles, and responsibilities?
Are we offering them the emotional safety we all need to heal and grow?

These are not small questions, but they matter deeply.

The Power of Connection in Healing

Connection isn’t a luxury, it’s medicine. When we walk and talk alongside others, something beautiful happens: we begin to soften. We begin to trust. We realise we are not alone in our pain, our questions, or our longing for something more.

Being involved in something outside of work and family, like Eoghan’s Run, Walk, Talk -is not just good for our mental health; it’s vital. Engaging in community builds new neural pathways in the brain, inspires curiosity, invites new friendships, and helps us rediscover the joy of shared human experience. It’s where adventure, growth, and healing meet.

And for men who have been conditioned to “go it alone,” this kind of safe, inclusive space can be transformative.

Join the Movement

Eoghan’s next event is an invitation to reconnect with others, and most importantly, with yourself.

📅 Date: 22nd June
📍 Location: The Land of the Giants, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
💫 Cost: Free, and open to everyone who needs a little connection

Whether you're walking, running, or just showing up, know that your presence matters. Your voice matters. Your wellbeing matters.

For More Support

Visit the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland at www.mhfi.org for more tools, inspiration, and community resources. You’ll find plenty there to support the men in your life—and perhaps yourself too.

To Eoghan and to all the brave men who are beginning to unlearn silence and choose connection, you are helping to reshape what strength truly looks like. It is found not in the armour, but in the openness. Not in perfection, but in presence.

As we continue to walk each other home, may we all remember:
Healing begins when we feel seen, heard, and held - just as we are.


Sharon Fitzmaurice

Wellbeing Coach, Author & Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast