24 Jul 2026
What the Body Holds with Keith Doran
In this episode of Tear Down These Walls, I sit down with Keith Doran for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about trauma, breathwork, the nervous system, and the powerful connection between our minds and our bodies.
Originally from Summerhill, Keith moved to Ballybough as a child before spending more than 20 years living in Australia. He has recently returned home to Dublin with his partner, Chelsea.
Keith is trained in psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, Reiki and breathwork. His own journey began after experiencing panic attacks in his late teens. He reflects on seeking help, visiting his GP, and being offered medication after explaining what he was going through. Keith shares that it didn’t feel like the right path for him personally, and instead he began asking a different question: What was happening inside me? That question set him on a journey of self-discovery and years of learning that would eventually shape the work he does today.
Together, we also reflect on what it was like growing up in Dublin’s inner city, where many families have lived through poverty, addiction, loss and trauma. We speak about how these experiences can be passed from one generation to the next and what it takes to begin breaking those cycles with awareness, compassion and support.
Throughout our conversation, we explore how childhood experiences can continue to shape us long into adulthood. We discuss the importance of feeling seen and heard, creating safe spaces, regulating the nervous system, and why healing often involves reconnecting with ourselves in ways we may never have considered.
I also share my own experience.
For years I believed I was doing everything I possibly could to heal. I had stopped drinking, attended therapy, ran, hiked and continually worked on myself, yet there was still a heaviness I couldn’t explain. A therapist suggested that somatic work might help bring my mind and body into greater alignment. Around that same time, Keith reached out through the Beyond the Walls hikes, despite us never having met before.
Working with Keith has made a significant difference to my own healing journey, particularly in helping to regulate my nervous system. For me, breathwork and somatic work became the missing piece of the puzzle. It changed my belief that what once felt impossible could, in time, become possible.
Keith also gives back to the community by running a free breathwork class in Ballybough once a month on a Thursday, creating a welcoming space for anyone who would like to experience this work.
Most importantly, Keith reminds us that if you’re struggling, please reach out. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, a teacher, a therapist or someone you trust, asking for help can be the first step towards creating lasting change.
I hope this conversation offers hope to anyone who feels like they’ve been doing everything they can to heal but still feels there may be another piece of the puzzle waiting to be discovered.
Thank you for listening and for continuing to Tear Down These Walls.
