The Gift of Breath

This week on my podcast I had the privilege of speaking with Patrick Dempsey, a remarkable man whose life journey is a powerful reminder of both the fragility and the resilience of the human spirit.

Patrick was born with cystic fibrosis, a life-limiting genetic condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. The illness causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the body, making it difficult to breathe and leaving people vulnerable to repeated lung infections. Over time, the damage to the lungs can become severe and life-threatening.

For many people living with cystic fibrosis, a lung transplant can become the only pathway to survival.

Patrick knows this reality all too well.

At just ten years old, he experienced the heartbreaking loss of his brother to cystic fibrosis. More than forty years later, the love for his brother remains deeply present in his heart. Grief does not disappear with time; it simply changes shape. While the loss is still felt in the physical world, Patrick has found a profound spiritual connection with his brother in spirit - a connection that continues to bring him comfort and strength.

Listening to Patrick speak about his brother was a powerful reminder that love never truly leaves us.

Waiting for a Second Chance

As Patrick grew older, his own health declined and he eventually faced the difficult reality that he would need a double lung transplant to survive.

He spent four years waiting.

Four years living with uncertainty.
Four years wondering if the call would come.

In 2012, that call finally arrived.

Someone, somewhere, had made the compassionate decision to become an organ donor, and through that selfless act Patrick received the gift of breath - the gift of life.

Organ donation is one of the most extraordinary acts of human generosity. In a moment of unimaginable loss for one family, another life can be saved or transformed. One donor can save multiple lives and offer hope where there once was none.

Patrick speaks about his transplant not just as a medical procedure, but as a second chance at life.

Life After Transplant

Receiving new lungs did not mean life suddenly became easy. Patrick has faced further challenges along the way, including the breakdown of his marriage and a diagnosis of skin cancer - something transplant recipients can be more vulnerable to because of the medications they must take.

Yet rather than becoming defined by hardship, Patrick chose to look inward.

He stepped away from corporate life and began exploring deeper levels of healing and spiritual awareness. His journey led him into spiritual practice, energy healing, and intuitive work, where he now helps guide others on their own paths of growth and transformation.

Today he describes his journey as moving from the head to the heart.

It is a journey many of us recognise.

The Wisdom Found in Life’s Challenges

As Patrick shared his story, I found myself reflecting on how many of our lives have been touched by loss, adversity, and difficult chapters.

None of us move through life untouched by challenge.

And yet, within those experiences there can be an invitation - an invitation to look deeper within ourselves and to discover a level of strength, compassion, and awareness we may never have known otherwise.

Both Patrick and I spoke about how difficult experiences opened the doorway to a deeper connection with our spiritual selves.

Not because suffering is required for spiritual growth, but because life sometimes nudges us to pause, reflect, and listen more deeply.

When we learn to love and accept ourselves - even during the most chaotic and uncertain times - something powerful begins to shift.

We find a quiet strength within.

We remember that we are not alone.

We begin to sense that we are forever connected to something greater than ourselves, a spiritual presence that surrounds us and flows through us.

There is no real separation.

Finding Peace in the Everyday

It is important to remember that we do not need life’s greatest challenges to discover peace within ourselves.

Moments of connection can be found in the simplest parts of daily life.

A walk in nature.
A moment of stillness.
A conversation from the heart.
The quiet awareness of something beautiful in the present moment.

When we allow ourselves to listen, to be open, and to soften into life rather than fight against it, we begin to experience a deeper sense of peace within our hearts and minds.

The Extraordinary Gift of Organ Donation

While speaking with Patrick, I was reminded of something incredibly profound.

None of us truly knows what it would feel like to live with the knowledge that our life may be limited by organ failure.

To wake each day knowing that survival may depend on a transplant.

And yet Patrick is here today because someone made the courageous decision to become an organ donor.

That one decision changed everything.

Organ donation reminds us of the extraordinary power we hold - not only in how we live, but also in how we continue to give even after life ends.

Through organ donation, one life can help many others continue theirs.

It is one of the most meaningful legacies a person can leave behind.

A Life Lived with Gratitude

Today Patrick lives with deep gratitude for the second chance he has been given.

He continues to rebuild his strength and fitness and hopes to one day compete in the Transplant Games, celebrating life, resilience, and the incredible gift of organ donation.

His story is a reminder that even in the face of loss, illness, and uncertainty, the human spirit has an extraordinary ability to heal, adapt, and grow.

And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that love, connection, and compassion are the threads that bind us all together.

If this story touches your heart, take a moment to learn more about organ donation and consider carrying a donor card.

One decision can give someone the chance to breathe again.

And sometimes, the greatest gifts we give are the ones that allow another life to continue.

Listen to our conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

What does it mean to live your Soul Purpose

Every one of us carries a quiet inner knowing, a soft pull that guides us toward a life that feels deeply aligned. Some call it intuition, others call it calling. I call it the voice of the soul. When we talk about finding your soul purpose, we’re really talking about remembering who you truly are beneath the noise, expectations, and busyness of everyday life.

Your Soul Purpose Isn’t Something You Chase, It’s Something You Uncover

Many people imagine purpose as a single grand mission, a lightning bolt moment, or a path lined with certainty. In truth, your purpose is often revealed gently, through experiences, healing, and the willingness to listen inward.

It lives in the things that light you up.
It grows in the spaces where you feel most connected.
It shows itself in the ways you naturally help, love, and uplift others.

Your soul purpose is the essence of you, the energy you bring into the world simply by being who you are.

The Journey Begins Within

Finding your soul purpose starts with coming home to yourself. This may look like:

• Pausing long enough to truly feel what your heart is asking for

• Letting go of old stories that were never yours to carry

• Healing past wounds so they transform into strength

• Rediscovering your passions, the ones that feel like nourishment, not obligation

When you create space within, your soul has room to speak.

Your Purpose Is Already There

One of the most comforting truths is that you are never without purpose. Even in moments of doubt, confusion, or stillness, your soul is guiding you. Every challenge, every connection, every chapter has shaped the wisdom you carry today.

Often, people realise their purpose by noticing:

• What feels meaningful

• What brings peace

• What keeps nudging their heart

• What they feel naturally called to share with others

Your soul purpose doesn’t need to be extraordinary in a worldly sense. It becomes extraordinary because it is true.

Alignment Feels Like Freedom

When you begin living your life in alignment with your soul purpose, something shifts. You feel more grounded, more alive, and more open to growth. There is a sense of inner freedom, a peaceful certainty that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, even if the path ahead is unfolding one step at a time.

That’s the beauty of purpose: it evolves as you do.

Following the Signs

Sometimes the soul whispers. Sometimes it roars. You might recognise your purpose in:

• Synchronicities

• A sudden clarity

• A long-held dream resurfacing

• A deep desire to help or heal

• A knowing that you can no longer ignore

Pay attention. These moments are invitations.

A Conversation That Inspires This Journey

This week on my podcast, I shared a beautiful and deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Jeanne Comeau, a woman who embodies what it means to take a courageous leap inward. After years of success in a corporate career, she felt the unmistakable pull of her soul urging her toward a more aligned path. Her transformation became a powerful example of how purpose can shift, expand, and call us into a life that feels more authentic.

Today, Jeanne supports others by offering astrological blueprints that illuminate their highest purpose and most aligned direction. Her work helps people understand the cosmic patterns that shape their strengths, challenges, and soul-led path.

Listen to our conversation

You Are Here to Grow, Love, and Contribute

At its heart, your soul purpose is about expansion, growing into the fullest, most authentic version of yourself and sharing that truth with the world in your own unique way.

Whether your purpose leads you to nurture others, inspire through creativity, support healing, build community, or simply spread kindness through your presence, it is powerful.

A Gentle Reminder

You don’t have to have everything figured out.
You don’t have to rush.
You don’t have to compare your journey to anyone else’s.

You are already on the path.

Your soul purpose is unfolding with every breath, every intention, every choice that honours who you truly are. Join our Soulful Journeys Online Community for a transformational program - Walking as Soul in Body with Mentor Sharon Fitzmaurice

About Sharon Fitzmaurice

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, a space that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse. Through her Soulful Journeys Online Community and one-to-one work, she supports others in reconnecting with their inner wisdom, healing their stories, and creating a life rooted in purpose and wellbeing.

Adapting to Life's challenges

There are some stories that reach into the very core of your being, stories that don’t just move you, but awaken something inside. My recent podcast conversation with Tracy Martin was one of those moments.

By the age of fifteen, Tracy had already experienced profound loss, both her parents gone before she had even finished growing up. Just three years later, a life-altering car accident changed everything. At eighteen, she was left a paraplegic, grieving the loss of her then-boyfriend who died in the crash, and their unborn child.

To sit across from Tracy and listen to her speak with such honesty, strength, and grace was a humbling experience. Her story is not one of simple survival, it is one of continual adaptation. She had to learn to live in a body that no longer felt like her own, to rebuild a life after unimaginable pain, and to find purpose where only loss once existed.

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on my own younger self, the part of me who once lived in survival mode. When we face trauma, whether it’s the pain of abuse, loss, or any kind of deep suffering, our instinct is to protect ourselves. Our brains and bodies move into survival mode, doing whatever it takes to keep us safe. But survival, while necessary in the moment, isn’t a place we are meant to stay forever.

Living in survival becomes exhausting. It narrows our world and limits our capacity for joy, love, and connection. The real healing begins when we start to unlearn the coping mechanisms that once kept us safe but now hold us back. We begin to adapt in new ways - ways that invite in trust, surrender, and courage.

This journey isn’t easy. It requires us to do the very thing that once felt impossible, to let go of control and allow life to hold us again. To believe that we can be more than what happened to us.

Tracy’s story is a testament to that truth. Through immense loss, she found the strength not only to keep living but to use her voice and creativity to inspire others. Her debut book, So Not Me, is loosely based on her own experiences and delves deeply into the themes of trauma, healing, and the power of human connection. It’s a reminder that even through pain, we can create meaning, that adaptation can lead us to transformation.

Listening to Tracy reminded me that adapting isn’t about forgetting who we were before the pain, it’s about allowing life to reshape us into who we are meant to become.

May we all find the courage, like Tracy, to adapt, to grow, and to keep choosing life - even when it breaks us open.

Listen to the full conversation here: What keeps you going when you are told - You will never walk again.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

The Journey of Remembering

There was a time in my life when I thought I had lost everything - not in the physical sense, but in the way that leaves you hollow on the inside. What I call my darkest night of the soul. It was a place of despair, self-doubt, and disconnection. And yet, it was in that same darkness that a light began to flicker - a knowing that I was more than the pain I carried, more than my body, more than the roles I played in life.

That moment was my awakening. Not an instant transformation, but the beginning of a slow, tender journey of remembering. Remembering that I am soul in physical form. Remembering that there is a deeper wisdom always available to me when I dare to turn inward.

It’s why soul-led work isn’t just something I do now - it’s who I am. Every client I sit with, every group session, retreat or workshop I hold, every podcast conversation I share comes from this place of knowing. It is the compass that guides me back when I forget, when I stumble, when life feels heavy again.

This week on the podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with Suzanne Roberts, someone whose journey resonated so deeply with my own. Suzanne, Founder of Unifying Solutions and author of It’s Deeper Than That: A Pathway to a Vibrant, Purposeful Life, also walked through the fires of pain and self-hatred. Her childhood trauma led her into darkness, but her love of physics opened a doorway to something greater -the reality of polarity, of energy, of soul.

Listening to Suzanne describe her “inner laboratory” - the way she turned inward to explore and discover the truth of who she really is - felt like hearing my own story reflected back to me. That same turning inward is what saved me too.

In our conversation, we explored the science of magnetism and the current of life force that runs through us all, how meditation and mindfulness open the gateway to soul presence, and how healing is never about becoming someone new but about remembering the wholeness that was always there.

What touched me most was her reminder that being of service is at the heart of a purposeful life. That, I believe, is why so many of us who have walked through darkness feel called to guide others toward their own light.

As I sit with this episode, I feel an immense gratitude for my own journey - even the painful parts. Without that dark night, I might never have woken up to the truth of who I really am. Without it, I would not be living this soul-led path today.

My hope is that in listening to Suzanne’s story and hearing a little of my own, you will be reminded of your soul too. That quiet voice within that whispers: you are so much more than the physical, you are light, you are energy, you are soul.

✨ Listen here https://www.youtube.com/@sharonfitzmauricepodcast

An Invitation to You

If this conversation touched something within you, I’d love to invite you into my Soulful Journeys Online Community. It is a heart-centred space where like-minded souls gather to connect, share, and support one another on the path of healing, awakening, and purpose.

Inside, you’ll find monthly soul circles, guided practices, live teachings, and a community of people who truly understand the ups and downs of walking a soul-led path. It’s a place where you don’t have to pretend to be anything other than yourself - where your story, your light, and even your struggles are welcomed and honoured.

Together, we remind each other that we are never alone. Together, we walk each step more courageously and more lovingly than we might on our own.

If your soul feels called, you are so welcome to join us. 💜
👉 Join our Community — Sharon Fitzmaurice

Reiki Energy Therapy: Why Attunement and Self-Awareness Matter

In recent times, I’ve noticed many conversations online about Reiki and whether one truly needs to be attuned by a Reiki Master in order to practice it. The argument is often this: Reiki is universal life force energy, and since we are all part of that universal flow, we already have access to it.

To this, I wholeheartedly agree. Reiki is not something that only a select few can access, it flows through all of us because it is life itself. We can all learn to connect more deeply with this energy, and we often do so in different ways throughout our lives, whether through meditation, prayer, breathwork, nature, or quiet moments of inner stillness.

But here is where I’d like to pause and offer some perspective, not only as someone who has worked with Reiki for over 18 years, but also as a Reiki Master Teacher and Practitioner:
Just because we all have access to universal energy does not mean we are all ready to hold space for others.

The Responsibility of Holding Space

When someone comes to you for Reiki, whether they are struggling with physical pain, mental stress, emotional wounds, or spiritual blocks - you are not simply placing hands on them. You are holding a sacred container for their healing process.

In that space, emotions may surface. Old trauma may stir. Physical sensations may arise that the person does not fully understand. Your role as a practitioner is not only to channel Reiki but to remain grounded, compassionate, and responsible for how the person is supported during and after the session.

This responsibility requires more than just a good intention- it asks for presence, maturity, and self-awareness. Without these, the person seeking healing may feel unseen, unsafe, or even more destabilised.

Why Attunement Matters

Attunement is not about hierarchy or exclusivity. It is not a “certificate” to say you are more spiritual than someone else. Rather, attunement is a process of alignment, a way of opening yourself more fully to the Reiki energy while learning how to hold it responsibly for others.

Through attunement and training with a Reiki Master, you are guided into the practice with awareness, ethics, and tools to support not only those you treat, but yourself as well. It’s a path of humility and service, not ego or control.

The Value of Training and Experience

I often see criticism directed at Reiki Masters for charging for attunements or classes. What is rarely spoken about is the amount of time, energy, and resources we have invested - not only in our training, but in our personal development.

For me, this journey has spanned over 30 years. Along the way, I have dedicated myself not just to studying Reiki, but to exploring my own healing, deepening my self-awareness, and developing the skills to support others safely and effectively. This work is not just about “learning a technique” - it is about becoming a person who can truly hold space for another’s vulnerability and transformation.

Charging for attunements or classes is not about “profiting from energy” - it is about recognising the years of learning, healing, and lived experience that allow a teacher to guide others responsibly. Just as in any profession, the exchange honours the value of what has been cultivated and the support being offered.

Self-Awareness Comes First

In my classes, whether Reiki or other healing modalities, I always begin with one essential truth: you cannot truly support others until you are willing to look within yourself.

Before we step into the role of a practitioner, we must first learn to meet our own wounds with compassion. We must cultivate the ability to sit with discomfort, to recognise our own triggers, and to heal from the inside out. Only then can we safely and authentically hold space for someone else’s journey.

A Gentle Invitation

So, yes - Reiki is universal, and it belongs to all of us. But if you feel called to share it with others, I encourage you to approach it not only with openness, but also with responsibility. Seek guidance. Explore your own healing first. Allow yourself to be attuned not only to the energy, but to your own heart and awareness.

Because Reiki is not just about energy - it’s about how we embody it, how we hold it, and how we serve others with it.

“I had the pleasure of completing my Level 1 Reiki and Seichem with Sharon. There are no words to explain what a beautiful, empowering, healing and uplifting experience it was. In my opinion, Sharon is an amazing professional teacher, practitioner and facilitator who also brings a gentle, human and compassionate approach. I felt in very safe hands. The energy and healing over the 2 days was magic....and I'm going back for Level 2 soon. Can't wait 😁💫” Elaine Long

“I had such a positive experience with Sharon during my reiki session. The atmosphere and energy in the room was so calming. From start to finish Sharon gave me her undevided attention, all the information Sharon gave me was so relevant to my experience. I couldn't recommend her highly enough. And will make it my business to visit her again soon! An absolute lady” Maura O’Callaghan

“Blown away in the first 30 minutes of our session. Sharon was compassionate and kind. By tapping into my energy, she accessed another level I never knew existed. I will recommend to others and I will be back.” Ria Mannion

“Had an amazing experience doing the level 1 Reiki training, being around such beautiful souls made it all the more special, I concur with all the previous reviews that Sharon is a Great teacher, very welcoming, compassionate and her laugh is very infectious! Enjoyed every minute of it and would highly recommend, thanks again Sharon” Jason Coyne

“I recently attended Sharon's reiki level 1 training in Galway. Having had no experience with reiki before. I am so grateful to have attended this course with Sharon. From the very start we were met with a warm welcome from the lovely Sharon and made to feel totally at ease. Her deep knowledge, kindness and sense of fun creates a wonderful space to explore, learn, grow and connect. Having listened to her wonderful podcast, attended her course and recently joined her community I cannot help but feel inspired and empowered by all this lady has to teach and share. I'm excited and grateful to learn more!” Grainne McLaughlin

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner

Remembering What Is Important

Reflections from the rugged coastline of Achill Island

Dear friends,

I’ve just returned from a soul-nourishing two-week holiday on the breath-taking shores of Achill Island, where the wild Atlantic winds reminded me to breathe more deeply, and the untamed coastline seemed to whisper truths I had almost forgotten.

Like many of you, I live a life of service - guiding others, creating space for healing, holding space for transformation and development. It’s a path I walk with deep love and purpose. But sometimes, in the busyness of giving, we forget to give to ourselves.

As I walked each day along the cliffs, watching the waves crash below and the sky stretch endlessly above, I began to reflect on how available we often make ourselves to others -through work, messages, care-giving, and constant productivity. And yet, how seldom we offer that same availability to our own soul.

A Quiet Realisation

In that stillness, I found myself asking:

“Why do I do what I do?”

The answer came softly but clearly:

To help others remember their own strength… but only if I first remember my own.

This moment of reconnection reminded me of a truth I often teach, but needed to re-learn for myself:
We cannot pour from an empty cup. We cannot lead from depletion. We cannot help others heal without honouring our own healing.

Your Gentle Invitation

So, this July, I invite you - lovingly and without pressure - to remember what is important. Not the deadlines. Not the unread messages. But the deep exhale. The silence between actions. The space where you can simply be.

Take a walk. Let the wind kiss your face. Turn your phone off for an hour. Ask yourself:

“Am I available to my own soul today?”

It doesn’t have to be a big retreat. Even a few quiet moments can bring you back to your centre.

This Is Why I Do What I Do

Returning from this holiday, I feel more grounded in my purpose:
To walk alongside others in their healing journeys - not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who remembers what it means to come home to herself.

Let’s continue to remind each other.
To pause.
To reflect.
To nourish what truly matters.

Sharon Fitzmaurice
Holistic Wellness Coach | Soulful Journeys Founder | Author | The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Reflecting on change - Retreat

This past weekend I spent another wonderful retreat weekend with people from all over Ireland and the Uk,  in The Boghill Centre  . Every time I arrive to the centre in the beautiful rural setting of Kilfenora, Co. Clare, I am embraced by the peace and welcoming natural beauty of its surroundings. This is my home away from home for two weekends every year and I get to share it with the most amazing people each time. 

The theme of the retreat this month was Transforming with Spirit, it is not about changing who you are, but gently and compassionately acknowledging, accepting and loving yourself for who you are right now. It is changing the way you see yourself and how you feel about you from this moment on. It was a deeply emotional and life changing weekend for many of us including me. 

Many of the retreat participants were new to our little weekend getaway, but there were many familiar faces that have returned for the 4th and 5th time to further acknowledge where they are on their journey in life and to reconnect with themselves and a beautiful network of unconditional support and love from the group and from their new friends. It is amazing to see the bonds that are made on a soul level between people on the retreat, it is like we are stripped back of all ego, masks and pretense. We open our hearts to each other to reveal a beautiful but sometimes vulnerable side to ourselves that we are unable to do until now.

On this retreat I was joined by fellow Spiritual Medium Teachers Bronia West  & Wayne McHugh who shared so much of their beautiful energy with us all in imparting their learned skills from years of experience in helping others to connect on a deeper level to themselves and to Spirit. It was a such a joy to work in the energy of these two amazing people. In the evening we invited Bev Shiplee up to join them for an evening of Mediumship, beautiful messages of love, forgiveness and support were channelled from Spirit to the groups. There were even a few surprise guests invited to debut their abilities. Amazing to watch the courage shining through when we just allow ourselves to stand in our power. 

This was my 13th group to bring on retreat and each time is completely different. I know I am guided in my work and no matter what the plan in my head is, I have to just go with my heart. The flow of the retreat is all depending on the energy of the group and I always go with that. I know that with each exercise we partake in we are deepening our love and understanding to ourselves and the world. I truly believe that there are miracles occurring right in front of us everyday and sometimes we just need to stop and accept them, but first we must accept ourselves.

I felt deeply grateful to lead this retreat with so many amazing and talented people all waiting to shine their light even brighter. I was honoured on the Sunday closing ceremony by each person with a thank you from their heart and a special message from each, I felt it very deeply and it moved my soul into a new state of gratitude for life and for learning. 

We are all learning and growing, no matter who we are, where we are in our journey, we have so much more to experience. And whilst doing so you can have loads of fun along the way, well in our retreats we certainly know how to throw an after party.

Love to all. 

Our September retreat is nearly fully booked, so I may have a surprise retreat in May 26th to 28th, please let me know if you are interested.