Cliona Hagan joins Unfiltered with Sarah Jane Foster to share the story behind her rise to becoming one of Ireland's most successful country music stars.
From being a painfully shy child to leaving a secure teaching career to pursue music, Cliona opens up about self-belief, sacrifice, hard work and the people who encouraged her to chase her dream. She shares the realities of life on the road, building a loyal fanbase, balancing relationships and the lessons she has learned throughout her career.
Whether you're pursuing a dream, changing careers or looking for the confidence to take a leap of faith, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty and practical life lessons.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN
• Why fear should never stop you chasing your dreams
• How Cliona went from teacher to country music star
• The importance of having supportive people around you
• Why confidence comes from taking action
• The sacrifices required to build a successful career
• How to overcome self-doubt
• The reality of life on the road as a performer
• Why authenticity matters
• How to build strong relationships while pursuing ambition
• The mindset behind long-term success
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Meet Cliona Hagan
00:44 Growing Up With Music
02:34 Performing In School & Overcoming Nerves
04:09 The Importance Of A Strong Support System
05:44 Friendships, School & Growing Up Shy
08:07 The Teacher Who Changed Everything
10:28 The Sacrifices Of A Music Career
13:11 Social Media & Building A Following
14:07 Working Multiple Jobs Before Music
15:02 Studying To Become A Teacher
16:00 Leaving Teaching To Follow Her Dream
17:02 Taking A Leap Of Faith
18:05 The Hard Work Behind Success
19:13 Learning To Be Proud Of Yourself
20:17 The Reality Of Performing On Stage
22:38 Building A Loyal Fanbase
24:36 The Most Surprising Fan Story
28:40 Life On Tour
31:10 Pre-Show Rituals & Performance Preparation
34:43 Marriage, Music & Working Together
37:10 Recording Music With Her Husband
38:14 Dolly Parton Receiving Her Album
40:40 Her Dream Performance With Dolly Parton
41:15 Receiving Her Own An Post Stamp
42:35 What's Next For Cliona Hagan
43:35 Final Thoughts
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SPONSOR
This episode was sponsored by Home Instead.
