KIERAN O’TOOLE

Founder / Managing Director

I founded this project for a number of reasons, one of which is that I have a long history of substance misuse issues which resulted me ending up in some very dark places. There were times in my life that I did not want to be here anymore, yet despite this and the hurt I was causing those around me, I couldn’t stop using and I was ashamed of the person I had become.

When I was trying to get clean, I really struggled to maintain abstinence and I often relapsed until I found the purpose I needed which gave me the focus to try harder and through that hard work and determination I was able to turn my dream into a reality and I founded The Dynamo Project.

I am not perfect, far from it, I make mistakes daily but no matter what goes on in my life, I know I never have to use again. I am an addict, but that does not define me, how I deal with that does.

The team and I here at the project are deeply passionate about helping others like us and we feel that we can make a real difference and help individuals struggling with addiction, turn their lives around.

In the time I have remained clean, my life has changed so much. I try to be the best dad, son, friend, person, and colleague I can be and always remember the importance of our name, DYNAMO, Dedicate Yourself Now and Miracles Occur. Because you have to want to change, we can’t do the hard work for you, however as a project, we will support you as best we can to turn your life around.

Brendan O’Toole

Chief Executive Officer

I have taken a role within The Dynamo Project in the first instance to act as it’s benefactor to ensure that it can go from an idea to something tangible and real that can make a difference to the community it looks to support and help. I will also bring my business experience to support The Dynamo Project as although we are a charity it will be run on business principles as good ideas and good intent alone, no matter how noble the cause, does not create something that is sustainable.

Aside from a practical involvement in The Dynamo Project, I also can contribute through my own experiences of living with an addict. As family and friends who look to support someone who is suffering through addiction, we can all look at this as a shared experience and one that leaves family and friends feeling helpless and at times hopeless as the change to a life of abstinence can only come from within the person.

The Dynamo Project is very important to me, it’s objective and purpose will make a difference to Kieran, Pete, and Sam and to all of the people that they help lead and live a better life replacing minds that are dark and full of despair to minds that have light and hope.

Pete Harvey

Addiction Support Specialist

Throughout my life I have experienced addiction issues, for so long I turned to drugs in an attempt to deal with how I was feeling and believed at the time that this was the answer. I began using at a very early age and my life very quickly spiralled out of control, I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Where I come from, people didn’t get clean, they either went to prison or died.

I was lost but I knew deep down that this wasn’t the life I wanted, nor did it have to be the life I accepted. My journey in getting clean was not an easy one, there were times when I struggled and I relapsed regularly, causing myself more pain which had a direct effect on my loved ones.

Getting clean was the best thing I ever did and maintaining that has brought the most rewarding times in my life. I am now a father of a beautiful baby daughter and being a dad is a huge motivator for me to want to be a part of this project. I am deeply passionate about helping others as I know what’s on offer for people who are currently suffering like I was. I am currently working towards my level 3 substance misuse qualification and through my own personal experiences and with new skills I have gained, I truly believe I can have a positive impact on people who want to change and have a life that each and every single one of us deserves.

CARA RYAN

Life Coach

Since childhood, my favourite memories are those of working with and helping others.  I am passionate in supporting people to live the lives they really want and to become the person they want to be.  I truly believe we can all write our own story and every day poses the opportunity for a new chapter to begin. I have over 12 years’ experience in business partnering within corporate industries and am both qualified as a life coach and DISC certified, whilst currently working towards an accreditation with a global coaching governing body.

Coaching is simply a process that takes you from where you are now, to where you want to be, whatever that change in your life may be.  This will be an integral part of the Dynamo Project to work with clients on a future-focused basis and will really complement the other areas of the programme.

As a life coach, my role within The DYNAMO Project will be to create a safe and positive space to support our clients to grow, move forwards and find the unique path that is right for them.  We will work together to understand what our clients want to achieve going forward and the options available to them to succeed. 

I am delighted to be a part of such an important and ongoing project and look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme will have for everyone involved.

PHIA BARNES

Personal Trainer

I'm Phia, I've been a personal trainer since 2009 and I'm the owner of The Basement, a fiercely independent fitness studio with a collective of local trainers delivering expert PT, strength training, fitness classes and yoga in the heart of of Balsall Common.

I'm passionate about helping people become the healthiest, happiest version of themselves. I believe everybody has the right to good health and to feel happy with themselves inside and out.

My focus is on creating a friendly and supportive environment in which people can identify and reach their fitness goals through a personal and purposeful training programme.

I am so pleased to be partnering with The Dynamo Project and through this programme, I will guide your growth, coach you to where you want to go and help to build a better you - not only physically but mentally too.

Joe Hudson

Yoga and Mediation Teacher

My name is Joe and I’m a teacher of yoga, meditation, and breath work. 

“Yoga” is a term that means different things to different people, in essence, yoga involves forming a connection between the body and the mind, through the breath, when we get stressed, we have a tendency to tense up, and to take shallow breaths. In many of us, this stress may have accumulated over many years.

My work involves teaching people how to relax their bodies, and to regulate their breathing, when we breathe properly, making full use of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, we also relax the mind and the nervous system.

This can be practised sitting still, or whilst moving through different physical postures, each of which is designed to further open and release tension from the body.

I have been fortunate to have great teachers myself, and the techniques I share have significantly improved my own life, bringing me a much greater sense of calm, and a deepening of my own spiritual practise. Yoga is a tool that helps me to deal with stress, facing life “on life’s terms”. With an open mind, it could do the same for you too.