#169 Wellth Talks - How We Overcome Anxiety

In this episode of Wellth Talks, host Garry Kelly (GK Media) is joined by Niall Leyden (Atlantic Wealth Management), and Pádraic Ó Máille (Smácht) to discuss anxiety in business and everyday life. The group shares personal stories and practical advice on coping with uncertainty, the importance of vulnerability, and how sharing struggles can lighten the load. They emphasise focusing on the present, planning positively for the future, and taking action despite fear. The conversation encourages listeners to open up, support each other, and proactively shape their own well-being.   Please visit: GK Media https://www.gkmedia.ie Atlantic Wealth Management https://atlanticwm.ie Pádraic Ó Máille Smácht https://omaille.ie Disclaimer: Niall Leyden is the Founder of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited, a firm that is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland to advise on and arrange a range of financial products. Please note that Niall’s comments in this podcast are made in a personal capacity and are not recommendations or financial advice and do not form part of Atlantic Wealth Management Limited’s regulated activity.   Podcast Introduction (00:00:00) GK Media Studios and Wellth Talks podcast introduction, host and guests introduced, show’s purpose outlined. Listener Anxiety About 2026 (00:01:07) Discussion of listener feedback expressing anxiety and uncertainty about the future, especially for small business owners. Anxiety in Business and Family Life (00:02:00) Exploring anxiety’s prevalence in business, family, and children, including social media’s impact on youth. Defining Anxiety and Depression (00:03:19) Clarifying the difference between depression (past-focused) and anxiety (future-focused), importance of being present. Small Business Community and Isolation (00:04:08) Small business owners’ unique challenges with anxiety and the value of sharing problems in a supportive environment. The Power of Vulnerability (00:05:38) Encouraging openness and vulnerability, sharing feelings to reduce anxiety, and the benefits of supportive groups. Personal Disappointment and Support (00:08:06) Sharing personal setbacks and the importance of having trusted people to confide in during difficult times. Open Conversations About Mental Health (00:08:47) Growing openness about mental health in sports and business, the importance of honest conversations. Elite Athletes and Hidden Anxiety (00:09:22) Story of elite athletes experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, and the missed opportunity for mutual support. Mindset and Fear of Failure (00:10:28) Embracing failure, learning from children’s resilience, and the importance of mindset in overcoming anxiety. Control, Organization, Planning, Action (COPA) (00:11:42) Introducing the COPA framework for managing anxiety: control, organization, planning, and action. Taking Action and Facing Fear (00:13:54) Encouragement to take action despite fear, referencing Rumi and Susan Jeffers’ “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.” Personal Anecdotes of Overcoming Fear (00:15:39) Personal stories about overcoming fear, including a child’s leap from a diving board. Advice for Planning 2026 (00:16:09) Advice for listeners anxious about 2026: plan positively, focus on what could go right, and take bold action. Closing Remarks and Next Episode Teaser (00:16:45) Encouragement to plan for the future, invitation for listener feedback, and preview of a future episode on 2026 planning. Podcast Outro (00:17:17) GK Media Studios outro, ending the episode.