Two Eejits Talking Fitness

What does nutrition really look like inside an elite sporting environment, and how much of it can everyday athletes apply to their own performance?In this episode, we sit down with performance nutritionist and Verus Performance founder Daniel Davey to explore what he learned during more than a decade working within Dublin GAA and Leinster Rugby.Daniel explains why the fundamentals consistently outperform complicated nutrition strategies, how athlete education has evolved, and why providing information alone rarely creates meaningful change. The best coaches don’t simply tell athletes what to do—they create conversations that help them understand their behaviours, take responsibility and make better decisions.We also discuss the role of nutrition in performance and recovery, managing training load, developing young athletes and how mindset, self-awareness and reflection can unlock another level of performance.Daniel shares his thoughts on controversial nutrition content, the dangers of giving advice without context and the responsibility coaches and creators have when speaking to young men online.We finish by looking at the potential impact of AI on sport, Daniel’s transition into Verus Performance and the lessons athletes at every level can take from elite environments.This episode isn’t about finding the perfect diet. It’s about understanding what consistently drives performance—and learning how to apply it in the real world.Key moments:00:05:30 — Controversial nutrition content and online criticism00:09:22 — Why context changes nutrition advice00:17:20 — Nutrition, responsibility and influencing young men00:22:54 — Daniel’s experience inside Dublin GAA00:26:41 — How nutrition affects athletic performance00:30:06 — Why the fundamentals still matter most00:34:14 — The conversations that create lasting behaviour change00:45:29 — Building Verus Performance00:51:06 — Training load, recovery and athlete availability00:55:06 — Educating and empowering young athletes00:58:02 — How AI could change sport and coaching01:15:01 — Daniel’s most important advice for athletes

Dave shares his unconventional coaching journey, from sheep farming to health transformation, and the emotional impact of grief and loss. He discusses his experience with rapid weight loss, his struggles with self-image and validation, and the importance of mental and emotional wellness. Dave emphasizes the journey to finding balance, self-acceptance, and the impact of trauma and healing. He also addresses the role of personal development in health and fitness and the need to address mental health in the farming community. TakeawaysEmotional wellness is a crucial aspect of health and fitness.The journey to self-acceptance and balance is an ongoing process.Understanding pain leads to healingSelf-awareness is key to transformationChapters00:00 Introduction to Dave's Unconventional Coaching Journey01:05 Dave's Transformation and Health Journey02:00 Connecting with the Rural Community04:36 The Challenges of Rapid Weight Loss05:42 The Emotional Impact of Grief and Loss06:29 The Journey of Physical Transformation08:42 The Struggle with Self-Image and Validation12:04 The Importance of Mental and Emotional Wellness15:17 The Journey to Finding Balance and Self-Acceptance16:18 The Impact of Trauma and Healing18:08 The Role of Personal Development in Health and Fitness33:15 Addressing Mental Health in the Farming Community37:41 Understanding Pain and Healing38:36 The Journey of Self-Discovery39:29 Trusting the Journey and Finding Purpose40:05 Belief and Self-Trust41:00 Adapting to Unexpected Paths42:14 The Power of Purpose and Perspective43:33 Raising Energy and Frequency43:51 Empathy and Understanding in Coaching44:17 Breaking Negative Cycles and Building Confidence45:45 The Importance of Self-Awareness47:28 Tailoring Coaching to Individual Needs48:03 The Magic of Hard Work and Self-Reflection49:38 The Journey of Transformation01:13:41 The Power of Honesty and Self-Mastery

Kellie Fennell shares her journey from neuroscience and teaching to becoming an online coach, emphasizing the importance of mindset in achieving lasting change. She highlights the need to meet yourself where you're at, start small, and give yourself time. Changing your identity and self-talk is crucial for long-term transformation. The conversation covers the importance of self-talk, the value of doing hard things, and the need for balance in life. It also delves into the impact of societal expectations, the role of evidence in building confidence, and the significance of aligning actions with values. The discussion emphasizes the need for compassion and firmness in the pursuit of change and highlights the impact of social media on perceptions of success and happiness.TakeawaysMindset is crucial for achieving lasting changeMeet yourself where you're at, start small, and give yourself timeChanging your identity and self-talk is crucial for long-term transformation Self-talk and the importance of how we speak to ourselvesThe value of doing hard things and the need for balance in lifeThe impact of societal expectations and the role of evidence in building confidenceThe significance of aligning actions with values and the impact of social media on perceptions of success and happinessChapters00:00 The Impact of Self-Talk and Identity on Change38:29 The Power of Self-Talk and Doing Hard Things39:11 Getting Unstuck and the Value of Balance40:16 Challenges and Aligning Actions with Values41:02 The Impact of Social Media and Perceptions of Success58:00 - Quickfire Questions!Follow Kellie Fennel on her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliefennellfitness/and check out the Kellie Fennell Fitness Podcast

With no guest this week — instead, Jack and Keith put their coaching hats back on.With just a few months left in 2026, the lads break down five of the most important, needle-moving things you can do between now and the end of the year to finish 2026 in a better position than you started it.A lot of people start a “New Year, New Me” phase in September.This episode helps you with getting clear on what you actually want, setting realistic targets, building a week that makes progress predictable, deciding on your non-negotiables and giving yourself something meaningful to work towards over the next few months.Jack and Keith cover setting both aesthetic and performance-based goals, creating your “perfect week”, establishing minimum requirements for when life gets busy, and using shorter-term goals to build momentum and trust in yourself through consistent action.There might be no guest this week, but this episode contains some of the most practical coaching the lads have delivered so far.And to finish things off, Jack and Keith turn the traditional guest quick-fire questions on each other — covering takeaways, favourite counties, best pint experiences, Olympic ambitions, TV shows, books and, inevitably, the chicken fight dilemma.Chapters00:00 – Introduction11:31 – Setting Aesthetic & Performance Goals34:00 – Creating Your Perfect Week36:00 – Setting Your Minimum Requirements48:00 – Setting Short-Term Goals01:01:14 – Jack & Keith’s Quick-Fire Questions01:13:04 – Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Two Eejits Talking Fitness Podcast, we sit down with Conor Nolan, co-founder of the Normal Mental Wellbeing Project, for a really open conversation about mental health, eating disorders and recovery.Conor shares his own experience of developing an eating disorder, the warning signs he can recognise now looking back, and the journey he went through to get himself to a much better place.One of the biggest conversations we wanted to have with Conor was around the role that coaches and people working in the fitness industry can play.We're not therapists, and we shouldn't try to be.But we are often in a position where we might notice changes in someone's relationship with food, exercise, their body or themselves. We talk about recognising when something isn't right, having those difficult conversations, and most importantly, knowing when it's time to encourage someone to get professional support.We also get into reframing negative thoughts, neuroplasticity, the connection between our physical and mental health, and why some of the really basic things we can do every day can have such a big impact on how we feel.But probably the biggest message from this episode is a simple one:Recovery is possible.Conor was incredibly open about his own experiences and we really appreciate him trusting us enough to share his story.We'd also like to acknowledge Bodywhys – The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland and the incredibly important work they do supporting people affected by eating disorders, as well as their families and friends.If anything discussed in this episode resonates with you, or you're worried about yourself or someone close to you, please consider reaching out for professional support.You can learn more about the support and services available through Bodywhys at bodywhys.ie.Chapters00:00 — Conor Nolan's Journey03:12 — Why Conor Got Involved in Mental Health Advocacy08:17 — Eating Disorders, Recovery & Self-Acceptance23:26 — Recognising the Warning Signs & Asking for Help31:16 — The Role of Coaches & Therapists33:28 — Reframing Your Thoughts & Neuroplasticity35:34 — Finding the Right Support41:42 — The Complexity of Mental Health53:32 — Recovery & Learning to Think Differently59:33 — Mental Health, Stigma & Physical Health01:01:15 — Quick-Fire QuestionsSupportBodywhys – The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland provides support and information to people affected by eating disorders, including family members and friends.For information on their support services, visit bodywhys.ie.If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to the Two Eejits Talking Fitness Podcast, leave us a rating, and send this episode to someone you think might benefit from hearing Conor's story.