Episode 71: Barbershop Chairs to Fair City Scenes - Ben Condron on Acting, Mental Health & Finding His Path

This week on the podcast, we sit down with a true legend of the Irish film scene — actor and barber Ben Condron.Ben’s journey is one of raw honesty, resilience, and reinvention. He opens up about his struggles with severe depression and anxiety during his early life — years of being misdiagnosed and medicated, feeling like he had lost touch with himself. It wasn’t until much later that he discovered the real root of his challenges: ADHD. This life-changing revelation shifted everything, allowing Ben to finally come off antidepressants and start a new chapter with ADHD treatment — one that would unlock the best version of himself.Ben recounts some wild and pivotal moments from his youth, including a chaotic bus robbery during a stag trip in his twenties, his battle with alcoholism, and his time in AA — which, unexpectedly, introduced him to the world of acting. He also shares how he created a barbershop not just as a business, but as a safe space for men to open up and connect over mental health — blending purpose with passion.From a love of acting sparked in childhood, to playing an archer in Vikings, landing his award-winning short film role in Hunter's Fall, and securing a major role on Ireland’s beloved soap Fair City, Ben gives us an inside look into the highs and hurdles of life in the film industry. He talks candidly about learning scripts, preparing for roles, and the intense grind of breaking into acting in Ireland — including the struggles of finding an agent and the importance of training academies like Bow Street in Dublin.Ben also opens up about the value of time as we age, and how he juggles a thriving barbershop business with a demanding acting career. He walks us through a typical day — starting at 5:30am with a gym, sauna, and cold plunge routine — and shares how he stays motivated, balanced, and ready for whatever acting opportunities come his way.To wrap things up, Ben offers heartfelt, practical advice to aspiring actors about what to expect and how to get started in the industry.This episode is raw, uplifting, and packed with laughter. We had an incredible, lighthearted, and deeply meaningful conversation with Ben — and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.