How agreeable are you?
I would say I’m 10 out of 10 agreeable, but that’s not agreeable in a passive way. I’d be agreeable with stuff that I’m aligned with, and values I’m driven by. If I don’t agree with something and it goes against my values, it will be a hard no.
What’s your middle name and what do you think of it?
My middle name is Thomas. I used to not like it, but now that I’ve been asked about it for the first time in probably 20 years, I think I like it.
Where is your favourite place in Ireland?
My mam’s sittingroom. She lives in Blanchardstown. When you said that the word home came to mind and that’s where home is.
Describe yourself in three words.
Energetic. Enthusiastic. Determined.
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When did you last get angry?
I don’t get angry much, but it would have been about a week ago. A combination of lots of things built up – work, I was very, very busy with work; not getting out to exercise, disagreements within the family, but just mediocre, little things. I’d never take my anger out at that, so when a knot was bothering me, I just started freaking out at the knot. And then I caught myself again very quickly.
What have you lost that you would like to have back?
I don’t regret it, but 15 years of addiction, chronic addiction. I was addicted to heroin. I lost a lot of time – the physical prime of my life I suppose. But what I’ve gained from that has been massive. It’s a tough one. For the gains I got for losing those 15 years, I wouldn’t take them back if I was to lose what I’ve gained, which is the mindset, and the clarity, and the happiness I have today.
What’s your strongest childhood memory?
Playing football out in my back garden, on my own. I created a little wooden goal for myself and I used a blanket for a net. I had friends, it wasn’t that, but I just remember being out in my back garden playing football over and over again. It was a happy memory. It wouldn’t be a lonely memory.
Where do you come in your family’s birth order, and has this defined you?
I come second. I’m the second eldest and I think it has defined me to an extent. I’d be definitely more confident. I think that’s the case with many second-born kids. I think they’ve had the support of the sibling.
What do you expect to happen when you die?
I expect nothingness to be honest. I believe the self dies, the personality dies. But I do believe there’s an energy that will go on and continue. But Brian, as a sense of self will be gone. It will be a nothingness.
[ From 15 years of heroin addiction to becoming a neuroscience lecturerOpens in new window ]
When were you happiest?
Probably right now, isn’t that a beautiful thing to say? I found love for the first time. We moved into our new home. Business is great. My relationships with my family are super. My health is great. My energy is great. I feel aligned with my life right now.
Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?
Michael Fassbender. I’ve been told again and again that I look like Michael Fassbender. I’m not tall. I think Michael Fassbender is tall.
What’s your biggest career/personal regret?
Not playing football. I was quite a talented footballer. I got injured. I got into addiction and I never fulfilled that potential. But specifically, with the mindset that I have today, if I was able to apply the mindset that I have today, I would have really made the most out of my talent. That’s a big miss, because I’m upset because I love football so much.
Have you any psychological quirks?
I’m fiendishly childish when it comes to playing with kids and dogs and puppies and stuff like that. So, if that’s a psychological quirk, you can throw that in.
