Recession, Paralysis & 90 Grand in Debt. - How Niall McMahon Survived It All

Less Than 1% Chance of Walking Again. Three Doctors.
Three Hammer Blows. One Decision to Never Give Up.


Niall McMahon opened Alfie's on South William Street in Dublin in
2008, the same year the recession began. He survived debt,
pandemics, rising costs and 18 years of one of the toughest
industries in the world. Then, in November 2023, a blood vessel
in his spine burst without warning. Within days, he was
paralysed.


In this episode, Ryan sits down with Niall for one of the most
powerful conversations Made in Chaos has ever had, two men who've
been through near-identical journeys comparing notes on
paralysis, recovery, mindset and what it really takes to come
back from the unthinkable.


What we get into:


Growing up in the restaurant business, his parents built
Joelle's from a trucker café

Opening Alfie's the day before his 30th birthday during the
worst recession in living memory

90 grand in debt with nothing in his pocket, and the walk on
Bray beach that changed everything

The Japanese TV show that saved his menu and his business

The cavernoma, the blood vessel he was born with that nobody
knew was there

Three consultants, three hammer blows: wheelchair for life,
less than 1% chance, permanent bladder damage

The moment he lifted his knee 2 inches and said goodbye to
the Bentley wheelchair

Pat, the roommate who gave him everything and was dead 4
months later

The hill, the biscuits and the last day at the NRH

Why the doctors who deliver bad news need to think about how
they deliver it

What both Ryan and Niall believe is the real difference
between people who come back and those who don't



Ryan Curtis is a former Irish MMA fighter who was paralysed from
the neck down and told he would never walk again. He rebuilt his
life from the ground up. Made in Chaos exists to platform guests
who've faced real adversity and come out with wisdom worth
sharing.


Follow: @madeinchaospod | @chaoscurtis


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