Theme: Dare to Change: Sharing One Story and Idea at a Time to Create Countless Possibilities

TEDx Black Mountain is a locally organised event that will bring together a community of curious minds, innovators, and change-makers from right here in Belfast and beyond. It is going to be a platform for sharing ideas, sparking meaningful conversations, and inspiring real change.

We are gathering trailblazers, thinkers, and creatives from across the city and beyond, bringing you voices rooted in Irish perspectives, to share ideas that challenge the status quo, push boundaries, and inspire action. This event marks a significant moment for West Belfast, shining a spotlight on our community as a hub to share creativity and fresh perspectives, with the hope of inspiring change.

Join us as we create something special, celebrating the power of our community’s innovation and exploring how the community in the shadow of the Black Mountain can shape the future.

The Devenish Complex
33-37 FInaghy Road North
Belfast, Antrim, BT100JB
United Kingdom

Amy Mae Dolan

Principal Dancer Riverdance | Content Creator Inspiring Resilience & Self Belief

Amy Mae Dolan is a professional dancer and choreographer whose passion for the performing arts has taken her from local stages to international platforms. A proud advocate for creativity and expression, Amy Mae is deeply committed to empowering others through dance and education. With a career that seamlessly blends artistry and innovation, Amy Mae has worked with renowned companies, collaborated on groundbreaking projects, and inspired countless individuals to find their voice through movement. Her approach to dance transcends performance, exploring its potential as a tool for connection, personal growth, and storytelling.

Carl Framptom

Former Two-Weight World Boxing Champion

Carl Frampton MBE is a former two-weight world boxing champion and one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated sports figures. Born and raised in Belfast, Carl rose to international prominence through a remarkable career that saw him become the first boxer from the island of Ireland to win world titles in two weight divisions—super bantamweight and featherweight.Known for his grit, humility, and dedication, Carl captured the hearts of fans far beyond the ring. Since retiring in 2021, he has become a respected boxing pundit, commentator, and advocate for youth development and mental health. Carl remains a proud ambassador for Belfast, using his platform to inspire the next generation and champion positive change in sport and society.

Ciaran May

Mindset and Human Performance Coach, Founder of Natural Resilience

Ciaran May is the Founder of Natural Resilience, a company that strives to help individuals and teams connect, collaborate and grow. Ciaran, a former International Powerlifter has consulted to some of the biggest companies in the UK and Ireland to help them navigate change while prioritising their most important asset, their people. Ciaran’s person centric approach to business and life has led him to finding his tribe, and today he will show you how to find yours too..

Dr Jonathan Bloomfield

Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Dr Jonny Bloomfield is a Health & Wellness Coach and Performance Consultant with over 20 years of experience in health, exercise & sports science. He is Founder of Oopla, an online health platform. Jonny has worked as a sports scientist for England Rugby and as a fitness and fatigue consultant in the Premier League. He holds a Ph.D. in Sports Science and is a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach [NBC-HWC], supporting his clients to safeguard their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing for the long-term.

Emily Bond

Aerospace Engineer and Phd Researcher

Emily Bond is an aerospace engineer and PhD researcher specialising in the fire performance of materials for the transport industry. From overcoming academic setbacks, personal injuries and unexpected career trajectory changes to pioneering research in aerospace and materials science, she blends technical expertise with deep insight into resilience and human potential. Passionate about engineering outreach, Emily works to make STEM more inclusive and inspire the next generation. She is also the founder of Amarla, a self-care gift box experience business supporting wellbeing through curated, locally sourced, intentional gifts. Whether in the lab, undertaking a swimathon, or building from the ground up, her journey is powered by curiosity, grit, and growth. If you're looking to challenge how we think about failure, resilience, and what it means to rise - start here

Henry McCrory

Partner Creative THRE3 Media

Henry McCrory is a strategic marketer, entrepreneur, and creative leader with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of business and design. As the founder of Creative 3 Media, Henry has dedicated his career to helping brands, networks, and businesses thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Henry’s expertise spans smart website development, innovative branding, video marketing, and data-driven digital strategies-delivering tailored solutions that consistently drive measurable results.

Jackie Brennan

Founder of Inner Fluency

Jackie Brennan believes the greatest power we possess is the ability to change our own lives—once we truly understand how the mind works. Having experienced burnout firsthand, she developed a deep fascination with the science of human behaviour and what drives us. Today, Jackie helps individuals and organisations break free from outdated, autopilot subconscious patterns and tap into the hidden potential that’s been there all along. For her, understanding the mind isn’t just an advantage, it’s the ultimate game-changer.

Kevin O'Reilly

Coach and Author

Kevin O’Reilly is the founder of Thrive Now Group and a leader in entrepreneurial growth, performance strategy, and business transformation. As Division Director for Toastmasters International, he helps people communicate with clarity and confidence. He hosts the podcast My Worst Interview Ever!, exploring resilience and lessons from failure. A forthcoming author of The Power of Client Questions (July 2025), Kevin reveals how client-led questions can drive breakthrough results. Through coaching, workshops, and speaking, he equips individuals and teams with the tools to improve every day, blending insights from communication, behaviour, and performance into practical, transformative support

Laura McClean

Tech Executive and Transformation Leader

Laura McClean is a seasoned technology executive with a strong track record in leading transformation, scaling teams, and delivering commercial success across global markets. With experience spanning both strategic and operational roles, she is known for cultivating inclusive, high-performing cultures built on trust, purpose, and integrity. Her leadership approach combines commercial acumen with a people-first mindset, empowering teams to innovate and thrive. Recently, Laura has pivoted towards new ventures where her entrepreneurial outlook and commitment to sustainable leadership can create lasting value. She continues to mentor emerging leaders and actively contributes to the tech ecosystem through board and advisory roles.

Mairead Loughran Ryan

Award Winning Community Nurse and Public Health Advocate

Mairead Loughran Ryan is a dedicated mental health nurse and passionate advocate for human rights and community wellbeing. Currently completing a Master’s in Public Health at Ulster University, she brings both frontline healthcare experience and academic insight to her work. Mairead previously served on the panel for the Children's Rights Commissioner and has represented Northern Ireland at the European Network of Young Advisors and the UN’s 75th Anniversary event for the Community Enrichment Project. A graduate of the Alice Academy for Activists and a UN Women UK delegate, she continues to use her voice as a published public speaker and freelance teaching assistant at Queen’s University Belfast.

Michelle Lestas

Business Turnaround Specialist, Author, Chair ABM Ireland.

Michelle is an award-winning business troubleshooter with over 25 years’ experience helping thousands of small business leaders across sectors to reposition, strategise, and lead with impact. Her book In Business With Yourself (Orpen Press, 2021) offers a practical and honest look at eight types of small business leaders, challenging generic views of entrepreneurship. Michelle now delivers her MENTupLEADup® methodology through an ILM-accredited training and consultancy centre, supporting both business leaders and their CMAC®s (Consultants, Mentors, Advisors & Coaches). With a growing network of licensed practitioners across the UK and Europe, Michelle helps create more productive, profitable, and sustainable small businesses.

Paul McVeigh

Former Premier League Footballer, Now Performance Psychologist and Author

Paul McVeigh is a former Premier League footballer who played for clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, and representing Northern Ireland internationally. After retiring, Paul transitioned into performance psychology, driven by a passion for understanding what separates good from great in both sport and business. Now a sought-after speaker, coach, and author of The Stupid Footballer is Dead, he works with global organisations and elite performers to improve mindset, resilience, and high performance. Paul combines lived experience at the top level of sport with evidence-based psychological strategies, helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential. His engaging, practical approach continues to inspire audiences in sport, business, and beyond.

Phil Graham

Fitrepreneur

Phil Graham is a fitness business pioneer, author, and entrepreneur who has helped over 5,000 coaches and personal trainers build profitable online businesses. A former champion bodybuilder and early adopter of online coaching in the UK, he is the author of The Diabetic Muscle and Fitness Guide and Fitness Business Growth Secrets. Featured in the global documentary Fitrepreneur, Phil is known for transforming fitness professionals into entrepreneurs through digital strategy, recurring revenue models, and authority-based marketing. He now advises coaches, consultants, and creators on client acquisition, sales growth, and building scalable businesses from their expertise.

Philip Brady

philipbradycoaching@gmail.com

Philip brings over 25 years of experience in the field of personal development, with a professional coaching career that began in 2013. His journey has been rooted in a deep curiosity about what drives human growth, healing, and high performance. Drawing from extensive study and practical application, he combines expertise in physiology, emotional intelligence, and mindset to support individuals in unlocking their full potential. Whether working with senior leaders or emerging talent, his approach is both insightful and grounded, shaped by years of experience and continual learning. What sets Philip apart is the energy and presence he brings into every interaction.

Ruchira Rangaprasad

CMO - Balantra, 22 Under 22 NI, 30 Under 30 Belfast Telegraph

Ruchira Rangaprasad is a 22-year-old entrepreneur and marketing strategist shaping Northern Ireland’s startup scene. Founder of two growing ventures, she led one from concept to traction in under a year while earning an MSc in Marketing with Distinction. Recognised in Belfast Telegraph’s 30 Under 30 and 22 Under 22 NI, she’s also a nominee for Young Businesswoman and Young Businessperson of the Year. Ruchira serves on the Queen’s Graduate Association Committee, advises the Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship Network, and mentors student-led startups. With a passion for bold ideas and brand building, she redefines what it means to be a young founder today.

Shelley Cowan

Accessible Hospitality Alliance Advisor | Disability Researcher |

Shelley Cowan is an inspirational speaker and accessibility consultant who has lived with Severe M.E. for nearly 30 years. After spending 12 years bedbound and a further decade in a wheelchair, she became a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. Shelley founded JustUs in 2020 to create safe, inclusive spaces for adults with disabilities and later launched Access Avenue to help organisations unlock the power of the Purple Pound. With an MSc in International Business, her research highlights major accessibility failings in hospitality. Shelley combines lived experience and academic insight to champion inclusive, sustainable futures for all.