A Month in Ireland: A Whirlwind of Milestones, Memories, and Momentum

How is it suddenly the end of January?

It feels like just yesterday I was stepping off the plane in Dublin, ready to embrace a long-awaited Christmas at home. There really is nothing like arriving home in Ireland at Christmas after 24 hours in transit and you hand your passport over at immigration - looking dishevelled and nothing like the glamorous version of you that boarded the plane the day before and getting that wink from the guard on security clearance and they say;

"Welcome Home Aisling",

you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be. :)

Welcome Home

Looking back, my month in Ireland was nothing short of extraordinary, when really I should have spent my 4 weeks in Ireland relaxing, recharging and reflecting on my life — instead, it was filled with

career-defining moments,

fabulous catchups with friends,

cherished family reunions,

and new adventures that set the stage for an incredible 2025. (thank god for ADHD, and the energy, passion and motivation it gives me to do it all)

Christmas in Ireland is always magical - this year I spent a few days in Centerparks with my best friend and her family and my brothers - which was magical. A really nice place to getaway to and enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors.

Winter Nights in Ireland

And many memorable nights out with family and friends, reconnecting and chatting like it was only yesterday not 10 years ago since we last caught up.

School Friends, Forever Friends

A Dream Realized: Speaking at the Pendulum Summit

Yet I digress, so as I was saying... Just two days after landing,

I received the email of my dreams and immediately found myself preparing for one of the biggest moments of my career—speaking at the Pendulum Summit, the world's #1 leadership event. Sharing the stage with global icons like Andre Agassi, Sanna Marin, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jimmy Carr, and so many other thought leaders was nothing short of a bucket-list dream come true.

It was suddenly real!

The Pendulum Summit took place on January 8th and 9th at the Convention Centre in Dublin, where I had the honour of delivering a shortened version of my NeuroInclusive Leadership Keynote to 8,000 attendees.

It was a thrilling experience—though, in true ADHD fashion, my passion and pure excitement (and my ADHD medication) left me battling an incredibly dry mouth on stage! (shoulda... woulda... coulda... brought a bottle of water on stage....but sure, it wouldn't have gone with the look)

Despite that small challenge, the energy in the room was electric, and the response was overwhelming. I had queues of people lining up to speak to me for the rest of the day. Clearly, NeuroInclusion is a topic that speaks to many people's hearts. And is important to include at Conferences, Summits and Events like this.

Look at her go...

Aside from speaking at the summit - I was enthralled by the talent and amazing insights from everyone I met there, delegates and speakers alike, each speaker brought something unique to the stage. Some of my standout takeaways included:

• Mandy Hickson: A phenomenal MC and Host - raising the roof, keeping delegates engaged entertained and on the edge of their seats for two days.

• Nick Santonastasso: "You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with." *Control the Controllable's"

• Christine Armstrong: (My personal favourite) "Key things to do to; create great workplaces; listen, ask people what they want, be mindful of your mood and how it impacts people" - A woman after my own heart - and her statistics and insights were incredible.

• Sanna Marin: "Maybe, people with bigger egos don’t always have the ability to admit that they might do things better when they collect new information” - a strong message to leaders.

• Ray Nolan: (absolute legendary Irish entrepreneur and Gary Fox was an awesome interviewer) "Business mantras - make it easy to buy- your product your service make it easy to buy the thing you’re selling. Wear the different hats, see things from different perspectives". "As a CEO you need to create the vision and make the decisions. Don’t get in the way- leave your employees to do the work! Watch what’s happening from above! You need fresh air and thinking time to make the decisions. Don’t do the work itself"

• Dr Heather McKee: "Happiness is the key to long-term success—layer habits onto moments of joy."

• Sinead Kane: "Importance of other people believing in you so you can believe in yourself. You need to have a team and supporters for yourself!"

• Bernard Jackman: "How did Alex Fergerson keep his players hungry? He sold clarity, to his players about why they did what they did every year why they were there and why they needed to achieve to do it" - The Importance of Clarity in Communication!

• Sugar Ray Leonard: "No matter how hard it gets or how many knocks you've taken, you must and you can harness the untapped power within you to push through when you think you have nothing left."

• Jimmy Carr: ‘When you get cancelled, it’s not the words of your enemies, it’s the silence of your friends’

• David Meade: "Be selective with commitments. If it doesn't align with your goals, it's okay to decline....Incorporate downtime into your schedule. A refreshed mind is more productive...Hand off tasks that others can do for you."

• Dr Lollie Mancey: "Be cautious about what you outsource to AI—your brain needs exercise just like your body."

• Martyn Newman: "Rethink expensive psychiatric solutions and recognise that belief systems and emotional self-awareness play pivotal roles in mental well-being"

• Mary Portas: Retail Guru, the Queen of Shops Mary was just so wonderful to listen to, with a background in customer experience in retail, this was a special interest topic for me. I was enthralled with her stories and marketing expert Conor Byrne did a fantastic job in interviewing Mary."For success trust your instinct, innovate and take risks. Look for what is beautiful in this world." "A really powerful place to start is the feeling you want to sell to the world, the country feeling; the product and everything else will come from that...sell the feeling of being Irish.”

• Nuala Moore: "We don’t move forward alone. We push each other, hold space, and recognise the value we bring. It’s in the people who see you. The spaces that challenge you. The moments you breathe through are real."

• Peter Ryan: The most authentic guy 0 speaking his story from his heart, about his journey of resilience through losing his sight, falling down and getting back up again. and the transformative power of perspective in overcoming challenges and focusing on mental well-being. And becoming an Olympian!!

• Ant Middleton: "Fear is the number one thing in life that stops us from achieving anything"

• Andre Agassi: "Reinvention is possible at any stage. Legacy is built on contribution." "the process of getting better can never stop... it's not about yesterday and it's not about tomorrow it's about this moment"

Among these inspiring voices, I had the privilege of sharing my insights on neurodiversity in the workplace—a topic that’s deeply personal to me. The opportunity to advocate for NeuroInclusion on such a prestigious platform was a defining moment in my mission to empower neurodivergent individuals worldwide. And I am deeply grateful to the divine intervention that enabled this to occur!

My Mate Sugar Ray

Hero Stage shot

Ant Middleton and I debriefing in the Green Room

National Spotlight: My Interview on Ireland AM

Fresh off the high of Pendulum, I was invited to share my story on Ireland AM, Ireland’s #1 breakfast TV show. It was an incredible opportunity to reach even more people, discussing my journey as a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional, and the work I do to help businesses create inclusive workplaces. Even reflecting on my time on The Apprentice, looking back now that I know I'm autistic - what reflections do I make? Well, there are quite a few, to be honest. Martin King was just so wonderful to speak with - so engaging and warm, as was the beautiful Brooke. I am so grateful to them and the whole team at Ireland AM for their immense hospitality and subject matter interest.

Mom, I'm on the TV.

I am also deeply grateful to Frankie and Norma Sheahan, the Pendulum Summit team, Anthony, and the wonderful people at Virgin Media Ireland and Ireland AM for their warmth, inclusion, and accommodations. To everyone who attended the Summit or saw me on TV and sent kind messages—thank you! Your support means the world. I look forward to returning to Ireland in June to run Workshops and Keynotes in your businesses and at your events. Speak to the amazing Lauren at Front Row Speakers if you would like to book me in.

The amazing event organisers, Lauren and Norma, who made my dreams a reality.

A Milestone Celebration: My Dad’s 80th Birthday

Between all the career milestones, my trip home was also about cherishing precious family time. One of the most special moments was organizing a surprise 80th birthday party for my dad, complete with an even bigger surprise—my brother Michael and niece Ciara flying in from New York. We had been organising the event for months with a This is Your Life theme, where old friends got on stage to reminisce about the different stages of my dads life and tell heartwarming stories about what an exceptional human my dad is.

The Birthday Boy

I joked that it was an alive wake, but it really was a wonderful event for Dad, and also for our family, relations, neighbours and friends. Having all my brothers together for this celebration was an unforgettable highlight. When you live on the other side of the world, these moments become even more meaningful. It's a week that will be forever cemented in my heart.

My brothers and me

Our first family dinner together in Ireland in 26 years

Back to Australia with a New Adventure in Tow

Before I knew it, it was time to return to Australia—but this time, I had company! My nephew Peter joined me on his working holiday visa, ready to embark on his own adventure down under.

I barely had time to shake off the jet lag before diving straight back into work, delivering three half-day trainings on my 7 Pillars Framework for Workplace NeuroInclusion for three new clients. No rest for the passionate! But I am so grateful to have built a business that can travel with me. One that I can bring home to Ireland from Australia to America and wherever else the need for a passionate, award-winning Neurodiversity Speaker and Corporate Trainer may arise.

Looking Ahead to 2025

What a way to kick off the year!

As I settle back into my routine, I’m more excited than ever for the opportunities ahead. February and beyond will bring more keynotes, training, and international collaborations —with engagements lined up in Ireland, Australia, and possibly the US and UAE.

My mission remains the same: to help businesses embrace neuroinclusion and empower their employees to thrive, not just survive in the workplace.

And yes—I'll definitely be back for Pendulum 2026!

If you’re serious about starting your year inspired, motivated, and ready to level up, I cannot recommend the Pendulum Summit enough. It’s a January must!

You can book your tickets for Pendulum 2026 Here