Alison Canavan joins us on a fabulous Offaly walking trail and explains how “everything is energy, and we attract our own energy to us.”
The Irish are a nation of storytellers. Our stories are embedded in us, and in our landscape. Tales and Trails podcast is a brand new and immersive audio experience that invites you to walk the Irish countryside with the nation’s most interesting people.
On this episode, we walked a seriously stunning Offaly walking trail: the Kinnitty Castle Loop. (
Find the full trail guide here).
Our guest is wellness coach, motivational speaker and lifestyle blogger Alison Canavan, who was catapulted to fame at the age of 15 as an international model, but now lives a life of reflection and holistic self-care that seems completely at odds with her former persona.
Alison talks the highs and lows of modelling at such a young age as she takes on the Kinnitty Castle Loop, a
walk that is nestled in the foothills of the majestic Slieve Bloom Mountains and takes you through the beautiful broad-leaf forestry and the grounds of Kinnitty Castle.
Alison reflects on her years as a model and explains why she prefers her current settled lifestyle.
“Modelling was never a dream of mine. My Mum put me in for a competition when I was very young and I won it, so I started modelling abroad.
“Your worth is placed on what you look like. Every single day when you wake up, you go to the agency, they measure you and examine what your skin looks like. You just can't have a bad day.
“You don't realise the pressure involved until you come out of it.”
Speaking about her new settled lifestyle, Alison explained how she changed her outlook on life to focus on her well-being:
“The trick is to change slowly. We're trying to rewire our brains. It's possible, but it takes time. It takes consistency. If you practice gratitude in the morning and do it every morning for five minutes, how your brain speaks to itself will begin to change.
“You're telling your brain how you want it to think. And what are our thoughts? Our thoughts turn into feelings and emotions. And emotions are what? They are energy in motion. And what is the currency of life? It’s energy. So, everything is energy, and we attract our own energy to us.
“If we want to control the type of energy we want to attract every day, we first need to start with our thoughts. Where does that start? First thing in the morning."
For Alison’s full story, recorded live on the Kinnitty Castle Loop in Co. Offaly, listen to the full episode below:
For spectacular sights, invigorating sensations and unforgettable experiences, make your next short break a walking break in Ireland's Ancient East. Walking makes your break.
For more information or to plan your walking break in Ireland’s Ancient East, visit the Tales and Trails hub here. 
