Changed by the Challenges We Face: Dublin Grads-Only Course, July 2025
Last weekend, something special unfolded in the heart of Dublin. In a first for the Ireland region, a highly anticipated grads-only mini course took place over two packed days, and what a powerful reminder it was of how deeply we are changed by the challenges we choose to face head on.
Guided by instructor Patrick Hanlon, this unique two-day event broke away from the usual intensive course format. It was carefully designed around the needs, hopes, and ambitions of graduates who have already taken that initial leap but want to keep pushing, keep growing, and keep building new habits that shape who they are becoming.
And it delivered on every front.
Over the course of Friday and Saturday, 23 graduates took part, including Tessa Senior and Hugh Lomas from the UK, who brought such infectious energy and positivity that they raised the room for everyone. Long-time members like Phillip Reilly and John McGuinness stood shoulder to shoulder with newer graduates and under-18s who, by all accounts, stole the show with their sheer courage, confidence, and charisma.
The course balanced rigorous drilling of the basics, the powerful tools and techniques that give us control over our speech, with plenty of opportunities to test them in real-world situations. From two street contact sessions to a particularly tough treasure hunt, each graduate stretched their limits and proved again that real change never happens inside our comfort zones.
As Patrick shared, “I wanted to drill the physical weapons hard, pressure the point of building new mental habits, and empower grads to feel more confident on the floor.” And that’s exactly what happened. By the end of it, most participants didn’t just feel more equipped, they were transformed. They had faced down challenges, together, and came out different on the other side.
Many stayed on afterward for a three-hour social session in a nearby pub and restaurant, bringing the discipline and camaraderie straight into the flow of everyday life. In a world where we’re often rushing from one thing to the next, it was a rare and beautiful chance to slow down, connect, and continue to support one another in more natural conversations.
Dublin even gifted us with dry weather, so the city itself seemed to smile on this gathering of people determined to change their lives, one deliberate breath, one courageous moment at a time.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who attended and contributed, without your willingness to show up and do the hard work, there is no course. Special thanks also go to Ireland’s Regional Director, Sharon Gavillet, for trusting Patrick to lead this innovative event and for her tireless behind-the-scenes dedication that makes these opportunities possible.
This grads-only weekend doesn’t just mark a milestone for those who attended. It also sets an exciting blueprint for the future, laying the groundwork for an annual tradition in Ireland that continues to challenge, change, and connect us all.
