What happens when an overactive mind, guilt, and addiction take over completely?

In this episode, Patrick McKeown speaks with John O’Hegarty about a life that moved from philosophy and curiosity… into addiction, bank robberies, prison — and eventually recovery through breath, movement, and meaning.

John shares, in a very real and unfiltered way, how addiction changed his thinking, how rationality disappeared, and how actions that once felt unthinkable became normal. He talks about the mindset behind it — not to justify it, but to help people understand what actually happens when someone is deep in that state.

They also explore what came after: how he rebuilt his life inside prison how meaning, structure, and movement became anchors and how breathing became a tool to create space from the mind

This is not just a story about addiction. It’s a conversation about the human mind, the need to escape it, and how we can learn to regulate it.

In this episode:

how addiction overrides rational thinking the “suspension of the voluntary mind”

prison, structure, and rebuilding from the inside

Viktor Frankl and the role of meaning

breathing and its effect on mental state

cold exposure and learning to tolerate discomfort

why so many people today struggle with overthinking

John now brings both lived experience and professional training to his work, supporting others through breathwork, movement, and recovery-focused practice.

📍 Connect with John O’Hegarty https://oxygenadvantage.com/pages/instructor/john_o_hegarty

Timestamps:

00:00 – Childhood & early curiosity

06:00 – Philosophy & Viktor Frankl

12:00 – The accident & start of addiction

16:00 – Bank robberies & mindset

21:00 – Prison & rebuilding

30:00 – Injury & discovering breathwork

36:00 – “The breath is the mind made visible”

43:00 – Cold exposure & presence

50:00 – Addiction & modern overstimulation

56:00 – Working with others today

Listener note: This episode includes discussion of addiction, trauma, criminal behaviour, incarceration, and mental health. Some parts are raw and personal. Please listen with care and take what feels helpful.

More from Oxygen Advantage®: Breathing programs, instructor training & resources www.oxygenadvantage.com

Discover how changing your breathing can transform your running performance, recovery, and overall enjoyment of the sport. In this conversation, Patrick McKeown (author of The Oxygen Advantage) interviews David “Jacko” Jackson, former professional rugby player, strength & conditioning coach, and author of “Breathe Smarter, Run Stronger” (out March 12, 2026). They explore: How Jacko accidentally knocked over a minute off his 5K time in four weeks just by changing his breathing—not his training volume Why most runners (from recreational to elite) are leaving performance on the table by ignoring breathing The difference between breathing rate vs. tidal volume and why deeper, slower, more efficient breaths can reduce perceived effort and breathlessness How nasal breathing improves oxygen delivery, running economy, and recovery—and when it makes sense to switch to mouth breathing at higher intensities The role of the diaphragm, rib cage mobility, and posture in breathing efficiency and running mechanics Why CO₂ tolerance, air hunger, and breathing muscle effort are key levers for controlling pace and effort How breath holds and “anaerobic” breath training can boost repeat sprint ability and lactate handling in team and endurance sports Practical ways Jacko integrates breathing into daily life, sleep, easy runs, hard sessions, and recovery Whether you’re a casual jogger or a competitive athlete, this episode shows how training your breath can help you run faster, feel better, and recover quicker—without just adding more miles. #oxygenadvantage, #breathwork, #runningperformance, #nasalbreathing, #endurancetraining, #runnersofinstagram, #marathontraining, #5ktraining, #vo2max, #diaphragmaticbreathing, #functionalbreathing, #sportsperformance, #recovery, #mentalhealth, #asthma, #rugby, #strengthandconditioning, #breathingexercises, #runningtips, #runstronger

Can strength training, breathwork, and self-awareness completely transform a life shaped by bullying, low confidence, and an eating disorder? In this powerful conversation, professional strongwoman and strength & performance coach Sandra Bradley shares how she became one of the world’s leading strongwomen and how tools like Oxygen Advantage® breathing, mindfulness, and process-focused training have shaped her body and mind.

We explore:

- How Sandra went from watching World’s Strongest Man on TV to becoming a top strongwoman athlete

- Her journey from eating disorder, bullying, and dissociation to self-acceptance and inner strength

- Why lifting odd objects and historical stones (including the famous Fullsterkur stone in Iceland – 154 kg) builds real-world resilience

- How Oxygen Advantage style breathing, cold exposure (ice baths), and mindfulness support nervous system regulation and recovery

- The difference between ego-based goals vs intrinsic goals in training and life

- How to use strength sports, breathwork, and presence as tools for self-confidence, emotional regulation, and personal growth

If you’re interested in Oxygen Advantage breathing, mental performance, strength training, ADHD, burnout recovery, or how to build unshakable confidence, this episode is for you.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro: Who is Sandra Bradley?

1:00 – Getting into strongwoman and lifting odd objects

8:00 – Historical stone lifting & the Fullsterkur story (154 kg)

10:00 – Process over outcome: what “success” really feels like

15:00 – Burnout, World’s Strongest Woman, and shifting her mindset

18:40 – Daily routines: breathing, ice baths, walking, self-check-ins

22:00 – From bullying and eating disorder to inner strength

29:00 – Practical tools: journaling, nature, and body awareness

33:00 – ADHD, mental noise & using breathwork to self-regulate

37:00 – Social media, distraction, and taking back agency

42:00 – Choosing the right people & building a real support system

44:30 – Coaching: when strength goals become ego goals

49:00 – Lessons from trophies, titles, and what really matters

51:00 – Looking back: why she wouldn’t change the hard times