Tom Moran, owner of the Moran and Bewley’s Hotel Group
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
It’s healthier now than when I was younger. I don’t drink near as much as I used to and I don’t have as many late nights. In the pub business, it was always late nights. I avoid them as much as possible.
How often do you exercise?
I’m walking 250km from Athea, Co Limerick to Dublin for suicide prevention between September 11th and 21st. My training is 25km every second day. When I was made Limerick Person of the Year, my son said to me after seven or eight pints, ‘you have to do something, Dad’. Without thinking I said, I’ll walk from Limerick to Dublin.
I was an undertaker before and I buried quite a number of people who had taken their own life and it always bothered me. Everyone has a friend or a relation who has been affected. We need to do more for suicide prevention, that’s what’s egging me on. My target is to raise awareness about suicide prevention and €100,000 for Pieta House.
Do you get your five a day?
I’ve always been a healthy eater – veg, white meat, fish and just a little red meat. I’m supposed to eat a lot of bread, potatoes and pasta for this walk but I find it hard.
Do you worry?
No, not any more really. If I worried I’d be gone long ago. I let everybody else do the worrying for me. I’m very good at delegating. The only thing I can’t delegate is this walk.
What do you do to relax?
I’m not sure really. I like moving around all the time. We grow our own veg and we’ve got the grandchildren now and they take up a lot of my time.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
Drinking. When I was in the pub business, I was at it all the time. Somebody would come in and I’d have to have a drink with them. Thankfully now it’s only a weekend thing.
To donate or take part, visit thetomathon2012.comor call Gillian on 01-459 3650 ext 1011
In conversation with
JOANNE HUNT
