Father, husband, friend, Garda, professional boxer, mental health advocate - Niall Kennedy has had a lot of roles in his 37 years.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has used his platform to promote mental health awareness, and often speaks about his own struggles with bipolar disorder.
Last year, Kennedy was forced to hang up his gloves when he was told a brain scan was showing early signs of CTE.
Having combined his family life, work as a garda in Co Wicklow and professional boxing, some would have thought it was time for some relaxation for Kennedy.
However, he prefers to keep his mind and body busy, and has now launched a new business that looks to teach people how to use fitness as a way to deal with the trials and stresses of life, NBK Survival Training.
He told BreakingNews.ie: "The target group is younger people, but it's for all ages, for everyone struggling with the ups and downs of life. I'm trying to give them the tools and the knowledge to help themselves. I want to show people that a walk is a positive thing, hitting a bag is brilliant for frustration.
"Exercise starts with a walk, then you'll realise you're going further, next time you might throw in a bit of jogging, and then you're running. The person who runs a marathon starts with a 5k. It's just a progression thing and trying to get people to realise that it is attainable."
I am very excited to announce the launch of https://t.co/I82PA2Xemf and hopefully help some people along the way. pic.twitter.com/THkKwjCiCE
— Niall Kennedy Boxer (@niallbaskennedy) September 3, 2023
Through a combination of talks, training sessions, and presentations on different areas including social media and addiction, Kennedy is hoping to teach people how to use fitness as a means of overcoming obstacles in life.
"I am not a counsellor, but I can show people what has worked for me and through open discussion, through open talks. I'll have different presentations. There's a social media presentation for example called Pushing the Buttons. That one is to make young people aware that if you press a button and say something online, it's there forever. It's trying to get them to understand that and take responsibility for what they're doing.
"There's a group chat on addiction, not only the problems with addiction but the wholesale problems of what it does to your family and friends, the knock-on effect.
"There's also a talk about the cognitive behavioural triangle. That's basically what we think turns into how we feel, how we feel turns into how we behave, and how we behave feeds into how we think. If you're thinking badly, you'll start feeling badly and acting badly. Next thing you've done something wrong, and you're back up here feeling like a bad person... feeling it's your road.
"It's about trying to change that, to realise 'no, I'm not a bad person, I'm better than that'. Then you start to feel better and do better."
Kennedy is well known in his native Gorey in Co Wexford and is often approached by people for advice on different issues. He said part of the inspiration for his new venture was people approaching him for tips on how to get into a fitness routine, and how it can boost their mental health.
One of his mantras is that "everybody can do something", regardless of "your age or current fitness".
He is often invited to do talks at schools, and hopes to launch his survival training course at Gorey Community School.
"The training aspect of it will be tailored. Everyone has a different fitness level, but I really believe everyone can do something. The whole positive reaction of movement. Running on the spot and letting out five or six roars even, that can really improve your mood. I'm also going to try and bring different types of meditation into it after doing some more research on it.
"It's a one-for-all thing. I'm trying to help young people, but it's not solely for them."
Despite only turning professional at 31, Kennedy had plenty of highs in his boxing career. These included winning the Massachusetts and New England state titles in 2017.
Kennedy was also IBA world champion for a time.
Despite all this, Kennedy chose a low point in his career as the main image of his new website.
In a huge fight against Alan Babic, promoted by Eddie Hearn, Kennedy was hoping for an upset that would see him approaching the top heavyweight places in the world.
However, he suffered a third-round defeat.
Kennedy explained an image of him after the loss was the only one he wanted as the website's lead image.
"One of the main images on the website is me flat on my back after the loss against Alan Babic. I remember that night... all I wanted was the ground to open up and swallow me. I was embarrassed and ashamed, but when I was getting the website designed I insisted on that because people need to realise life will present obstacles, it will knock you down, but the most important thing is how we react."
After beating Alexis Santos to claim the New England state title, Kennedy was ranked in the top 30 heavyweight boxers in the world.
It also got the attention of the trainers of then-world champion Anthony Joshua, who asked Kennedy to spar with the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO title title-holder.
Kennedy’s son MJ was in hospital after being born prematurely, so he agreed on the condition he was flown over and back to Sheffield when required.
Joshua’s team accepted, and Kennedy got the opportunity to train with the world champion.
Kennedy described the English boxer as a "gentleman".
Since then Joshua has lost his world titles, and was slated for grabbing the microphone before going on a rant after losing to Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite this, Kennedy still rates him as a personal hero along with Tyson Fury, and he said both fighters are examples of the resilience he hopes to help people build.
"Joshua was an absolute gentleman to me. He hasn't always done himself proud since but what he has built is a massive resilience. I'd say he feels like he's made of titanium at this stage because once you're at the top all some people want is to see you fall, and there's no cushion when you do.
"Joshua changed the landscape of boxing, he turned pro in 2012 and what he has done has been transformational. Boxers are paid better because of him, and we're lucky to have him and [Tyson] Fury.
"Muhammad Ali wasn't appreciated in his era, and Fury won't be in our era, but he will go down as the best, he's a phenomenon."
Kennedy reiterates that he is not a counsellor, and will refer people who need mental health support to one or local suicide charity Talk To Tom, which he does a lot of voluntary work for.
However, what he hopes is to "offer people different tools to deal with challenges they're facing in life".
"It's about showing people they don't need to be afraid or ashamed of these emotions, we all have them. It's about teaching people resilience more than anything and giving them the belief that 'I've had a terrible day, but I had one last Friday and I got through it'.
"It's a self praise thing as well. That's the hope, and to do it through a safe and fun environment as well."
