Mairin had an exciting early career working in music management and then advertising and marketing. In 2000, at the age of 24, she decided on a significant career change and did a H Dip in Primary School Teaching. She worked happily as a teacher for 16 years until she was diagnosed with Moyamoya in March 2016. Moyamoya is a rare disease that restricts the flow of oxygen to the brain. The only treatment is brain surgery which she underwent but while on the operating table suffered a stroke. When she woke up, Mairin could not speak, read or write. Her speech returned quickly and so began her journey of 2.5 years of learning to read and write again. Mairin now uses technology for the blind to assist her in reading.

After her recovery, Mairin applied to Dress for Success which kickstarted her career in styling. Seeing the impact her story had on her clients led her to  begin a career in motivational speaking and she now gives talks on resilience and new beginnings (Google, Royal College of Surgeons). She has been asked to tell her story on TV (Daithi & Maura) , radio (Ray D’arcy) and have had many magazine features (Sunday Business Post, Image, Hot Press).

The last 3.5 years have taught Mairin that life is for living and how sharing her story can help others. She truly believes it’s never too late to start again.