Operation Transformation came to an emotional end as the five leaders took to the catwalk for the final time to show off their hard work.
This year’s group were made up of John Ryan, Kathleen Hurley Mullins, Sarah O’Connor Ryan, Stefano Sweetman and Katie Jones.
And after eight weeks of mental, physical and emotional challenges, the group had their friends and families in the studio, and viewers at home in tears as they finished their journey with a celebration on the catwalk.
Commenting on the highly emotional night, presenter Kathryn Thomas said: "Wow! What a fitting finale to a brilliant series of Operation Transformation!
"Our leaders Kathleen, Katie, Sarah, Stefano and John are just fantastic, I am so proud of them and everybody involved with OT.
“A huge thanks also to the 100,000s of viewers who watched, supported and cheered on our Leaders over the last 8 weeks."
The episode kicked off with the long anticipated final 5k run in the capital’s Phoenix Park on Saturday, where the crowds came out in their droves to support the leaders during their final hurdle despite the storm.
Last year’s OT leaders also turned up as they missed out on the chance to complete the annual 5k together due to Covid restrictions last year.
Then the leaders turned their attention to the catwalk, where they had their final check-ins to see just how far they have come.
Sarah O'Connor Ryan
Starting weight - 15 st 9lb.
End weight - 13 st 7.
Loss - of 2 stone 2 lb
Up first was busy mum and singer Sarah.
Stepping out to The Greatest Showman’s hit tune ‘This Is Me’ in a black off the shoulder jumpsuit, and sparkly pink heels, she said on the night: “That was amazing to come out to all of the people I love here and all of the people I have met in the past few weeks and yourself Kathryn.
“And just to really feel confident in myself again and feel like me,” the Tipperary native said.
Her hubby Padraig said: “Wowzers, she looks absolutely stunning.”
Sarah’s metabolic age was a huge shock at the beginning when it read 53.
But after eight weeks of hard work, the 38-year-old was in disbelief as Kathryn told her it is now at 38.
John Ryan
Starting weight - 17 st 10.5lb
End weight - 15 st 9.5lb
Loss - 2 st 1lb
John had an emotional strut down the catwalk, as his family watched on in awe.
Throughout the process, the truck driver has gone from high cholesterol levels to now normal levels by improving his diet and exercise, rather than having to go to medication.
John, 49, from Kilkenny has also gone from elevated Blood Pressure to normal again, out of the woods of being pre diabetic, and on the road to a healthier life all round.
Choking back tears after he walked out to his hero’s U2’s Beautiful Day, he said: “Without OT, I wouldn’t be where I am today. End of story, there are no two ways about it. It is not rocket science, it is straightforward healthy eating and exercise and just look after your health.
“One thing it taught me is life is too short, get out and live it.”
“I didn’t come in for the weight loss, I came in to get the head right. But just seeing the numbers up there, it is great.”
"I never in a million years thought I would be as happy as this again. Operation Transformation is the best thing I have ever done.”
Kathleen Hurley Mullins
Starting weight - 17 st 1lb
End weight - 15 st 7.5 lb
Loss - 1st 7.5lb
Kathleen oozed confidence as she strutted out to the floor to Walk the Moon’s hit ‘ Shut Up and Dance’.
The Cork native, 50, said: “It’s been a big journey, and like I say, when I did start I did feel like ‘Mrs Nobody’.
“And it was to highlight that and let people know you don’t have to be miserable but also sometimes you have to make the first move.”
Dr Sumi said: “Kathleen opened the door to important conversations around menopause and stress incontinence" and said she couldn’t thank her enough for bringing the nation on the journey with her.
Stefano Sweetman
Starting weight - 15 st 6lb
End weight - 14 st
Loss - 1 st 6lb
Stefano has gone from smoking over 30 cigarettes a day to smoking zero cigarettes with the help of HSE Quit and the experts, and has so far saved 800 since kicking the expensive habit.
Like John, Stefano from Clonmel is also no longer pre-diabetic and has normal blood sugar levels by improving their diet and exercise.
Stefano confidently danced his way down the catwalk in a navy suit last night[Wed] to Gloria Estefan’s Conga, and even blew his family and friends a kiss from the stage.
Speaking after his debut, he said: “I am so proud, I could actually eat myself.
“I think at the start of this I wasn’t focused on the numbers, I just wanted my confidence back and to stop smoking. Everything else followed.”
“I just feel fabulous at 35. I am just so thankful to have been given this opportunity.”
Katie Jones
Starting weight - 18 st 3lb
End weight - 16 st 1 lb
Loss - 2 st 2 lb
After starting off the journey lacking confidence, and feeling down about her weight and mental health, new mum Katie had the room in tears as she skipped out last night to Imagine Dragons - On Top Of The World.
Host Kathryn gushed: “I don’t think in all my years I have seen anyone skip down here, but you have got a pep in your step. You look so happy, and incredible.”
As her friends rushed to offer her compliments on her pink dress and glittery shoes, Dubliner Katie proclaimed: “I am on top of the world, I really am”.
“It has just been the best experience of my life. I am just a different girl.”
After struggling with blood pressure after giving birth to her first child last year, Katie, 25, has now come off blood pressure medication as her reading is now normal due to her new healthy diet and exercise plan.
Her dad said: “Our whole family has transformed and it has brought us so much closer. What has happened in the last seven weeks is unbelievable.”
Expert Eddie was also visibly emotional and said: “We fell in love with Katie straight away and we are so emotional here. We are all in tears. But the most important thing is Katie learned to love herself.”
Whilst it has faced elements of controversy, this season’s Operation Transformation touched on huge health topics including stress incontinence, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, ovarian cancer, side-effects of stopping smoking, constipation, Covid-19, knee injury, hip injury, coeliac disease, pregnancy during Covid-19, Arthritis, and Sarcoma.
Now in its 15th season, Operation Transformation has evolved considerably and now ‘encompasses a more holistic approach to adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as losing weight’.
This season, the weekly check-in incorporated an overall health check looking at a range of health indicators including blood pressure, cholesterol, hydration, sleep quality and psychological well being.
Between the five of them, the leaders have taken almost four million steps, have walked or ran over 2,700 kilometres, including last Saturday’s annual 5k run in the Phoenix Park, and have been active for over 12,000 minutes.
That activity, urged on by expert Karl Henry, plus the dietary advice from Aoife Hearne, medical help from Dr Sumi Dunne and psychological support from Dr Eddie Murphy have seen the five Leaders make transformational changes to their lives and weight over the course of seven weeks.
Mental wellness topics covered include social anxiety, self-compassion, self-care, relaxation breathing technique, grief, men’s mental health, bullying, the importance of having play in your life, facing fears, and isolation during Covid-19.
RTE said: “Operation Transformation prides itself on bringing communities together and getting them up and out in order to improve both their physical and mental health.”
This year also saw 756 GAA clubs across Ireland register and participate in Ireland Lights Up.
