Tony Griffin is a former Irish Gaelic All Star who inspires people to throw off the shackles of fear…
Representing his native Clare hurling team he regularly played in front of over 70,000 spectators. In this high speed, combative sport, Tony was known for his athleticism, skill and mental toughness.
In 2006 at the height of his powers, coming off his best season yet, where he was awarded an All Star, Tony decided to take a hiatus from the game to cycle 7,000km across Canada and Ireland. This journey was in memory of his father, Jerome, who had died the year before from cancer. When the 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong heard about Tony’s challenge to transform himself as an athlete from a Hurler to a long distance cyclist he brought global interest to bear on Tony’s challenge.
The 7,000Km Ride for the Cure grasped the imagination of Irish diaspora spread out across the world. In their thousands they got behind the drive to raise funds in Jerome’s name. As a result the cycle raised over 1.1 million euros for cancer care and research and inspired thousands to go and take on their own dreams regardless of how daunting they may appear.
“When Lance heard about what I was doing and started telling the world about what it would take to take on such a challenge all of a sudden the whole world seemed to know about it, and what started as a way for me to remember my father became something much, much bigger.”
Screaming at the Sky
In 2010 Tony published his memoir ‘Screaming at the Sky’ where he documented the often fragile inner mental territory of a high performing athlete, his journey with grief and the healing the 7,000 cycle provided. Published by Random House Screaming at the Sky was nominated for a William Hill Sports Book of the Year and became a bestseller.
Due to popular demand Screaming at the Sky will be re-published this coming year with all proceeds going to the Soar Foundation. It will include a new chapter. If you would like to pre-order your copy you can do so here.
Having finished his sports science studies at Dalhousie University, Canada he returned home to Ireland and set up a sports management business. He advised on the visits of both Lance Armstrong and Muhammad Ali to Ireland but when due to the Global Financial Crisis he was forced to close the business and start again.
Uncertain of direction he stumbled across the famous Irish Australian Rules Football legend Jim Stynes work with teenagers. At the time Ireland had the fourth highest adolescent suicide rate in Europe.
Determined to do something to change the lives of young people Tony sold the only thing he owned - his car, flew to Australia and with a small group of committed individuals brought the work of Jim Stynes back to Ireland and co-founded The Soar Foundation. When founded Soar’s mission was to inspire young people to step into their potential. The organisation quickly became a brushfire of positivity sweeping the country and went on to win multiple awards.
Over the next eight years as CEO of Soar Tony travelled all over the world learning from master teachers in diverse areas spanning psychology, group facilitation and the development of human consciousness. As a result of this and his leadership the organisation grew rapidly and reached thousands of young people each year with its character building programs.
“I thought I was helping young people but in fact they were helping me. I met thousands of young people over a decade and all along they were helping me make sense of my life by telling me the stories of theirs.”
The Teenager’s Book of Life
In 2020 Tony documented everything he had learned from listening to over 30,000 teenagers and their stories of survival and overcoming in the book ‘The Teenager’s Book of Life’. It has since gone on to be a multi-year best seller read by young people and their families all over the world. Used in schools, hospitals, mental health facilities and youth sports teams it has been described as the most relatable book ever written for teenagers. You can buy the book here.
Throughout Tony’s journey he has brought his passion and knowledge around human development and realisation of collective potential into diverse arenas.
One such arena has been his work with high performing athletes and businesses. His work with the Kerry Senior Football team - arguably the greatest sporting dynasty in Irish sport, in the development of their team culture and collective mindset, was lauded when they won the 2022 All-Ireland Final. Tony has continued in his role with Kerry while also spending his time writing and advising organisations on how to create cultures where people thrive.
In 2024 Tony’s life was featured by the iconic Irish documentary series Laochra Gael. Tony lives in Ireland with his wife and two young sons.