Getting to Know You: Abigail Ireland

Abigail ireland

What do you currently do?

I’m a high performance consultant – to sum it up, I work with executives and teams to enable them to achieve results with more focus, more energy and less stress.

I take a 360-degree approach, looking at how business productivity, psychology and physiology combine to optimise individual and team performance.

I offer corporate workshops, tailored programmes and coaching for businesses looking to build high performing teams. I cover a comprehensive range of topics, from communication, teamwork and prioritisation through to procrastination, mindset and energy management.

What was the inspiration behind your business?

I’m passionate about business, personal development, fitness and nutrition.

Being able to combine all of these areas into my work has been a key motivation. Everything I do in my personal life impacts my business and vice versa. For example, implementing productivity hacks or eating for higher energy are things that benefit me personally, whilst I can also share these concepts with others through my work.

Aside from my business background (over 12 years in banking and strategy), I’m a qualified Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor and certified Precision Nutrition coach. For me, physical and mental wellbeing is crucial for true high performance and so I really emphasise this.

Finally, I love to help others to be at their best and so the work I do is rewarding and energising.

What defines your way of doing business?

For me, walking the talk is crucial. I set high standards for myself and I place passion and integrity at the core of what I do. Fundamentally, enjoying what I do is probably the most important element. I don’t look at work as being separate from my life or something that I want to retire from in the future – it is a huge part of my life that energises me and it will continue to evolve over time.

I test and apply the strategies I teach – and I also understand the challenges that can get in the way of achieving top performance. Having worked in the corporate world for several years, I have direct insight into the issues and frustrations that can limit people and teams – and I thrive on solving these problems through my work.

Who do you admire?

I have quite a few role models although I find that these change depending on where I am in my life and what I aspire to at that point. I admire people who like to constantly grow and develop themselves – people who are positive, forward-looking and proactive. I enjoy being around people with a powerful mindset and those who give life their best shot instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining about what is happening to them.

I admire a broad mix of individuals – many in my personal life but also those who are more well-known, including the Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Richard Branson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Barack Obama. There are a few unconventional role models on my list but they all have common characteristics including determination, resilience and the ability to perform at a high level in more than one field.

Looking back is there anything you would of done differently?

I can honestly say I would not have done anything differently. There are lessons to be learned in every experience, and it’s up to us to identify and respond to these. Every part of my life has shaped where I am today and, often, the more challenging times are those which help us to grow the most.

I make every day count so I feel proud I’ve given life my best shot.

What advice do you give someone starting out?

Don’t let fear of the unknown or fear of failure hold you back. The best thing you can do is to get started, however imperfect that may be. You can always refine things later but there is nothing worse than regret if you never give it a go in the first place.

Also, don’t be afraid of discussing your ideas with others before investing all your time and energy. Do your market research!

Be open to learning and realise that it is all part of an exciting journey.