Action Expresses Priorities with Garry Ringrose

“ As a kid, I would have dreamt of playing rugby for Leinster/Ireland.”

Garry is certainly not your average 23 year old. At such a young age he has already become a world class rugby international. Playing for the Irish national rugby union team and the current European Champions Leinster. However, this wasn’t always the case. Garry was a talented player in school. But, what really set him apart is his work ethic and that he doesn’t complain. Instead, Garry keeps his head down, works and continues to remain humble even through all his achievements. After knowing Garry for the last 10 or so years that's something I find truly admirable.

Let’s roll it back to when Garry debuted for the Ireland under-20s against Scotland at the 2014 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. Shortly after he was dropped. Garry played no further part in the tournament. He returned to the side for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship and scored three tries as Ireland reached the semi-finals. His performances at the tournament led to his inclusion on the four-man shortlist for World Rugby Junior Player of the Year.

Following that, he was selected on the bench for Ireland's historic win against the All Blacks in Chicago in November 2016, but didn't take the field. Garry ended up winning his first Ireland cap a week later, starting the 52-21 win against Canada at the Aviva Stadium. In the final game of Ireland's 2016 Autumn Internationals series, he scored his first international try in a 27-24 victory over Australia. He was named in the Ireland Squad for the 2017 Six Nations Championship and scored a try. Then he set up by Paddy Jackson in the second round against Italy. He scored his third and fourth tries against Japan respectively in the first and second tests played over the summer of 2017. Since then, Garry has gone on to win the 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2018 with Ireland and won the Pro 14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2018 with Leinster. But, I’m certain the best is yet to come.

1.What's the most exciting thing about your job?

Getting the chance to play a match for club or country in either the RDS or the Aviva.

2. What was the worst job you've ever had?

Professional Rugby Player is the only proper job I’ve had.

3. What was your favourite subject in school?

French or biology.

4. What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?

As a kid, I would have dreamt of playing rugby for Leinster/Ireland.

5. What is your favourite phrase and why?

Action expresses priorities.

6. In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

Mindfulness.

7. When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do?

I go for a swim in the sea, the cold water shock has a knack of putting things in perspective.

8. What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertises?

Overuse of the word talent towards kids. A list of the top players I’ve worked with correlates closer to the hardest working players I’ve worked with rather than most talented.

9. What are some small habits that may seem insignificant that make your day better?

Before sleeping, I set objectives for the next day and the times I’m going to complete them.

10. You can trade places with someone for one day. Who would it be?

Elon Musk.

11. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

To enjoy the moment.

12. What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?

Waterproof Watch.

13. Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?

Cristiano Ronaldo.

14. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?

Yachts. Big ones.

15. What does success mean to you?

Being able to look back on my career, however long it lasts, and know I gave it everything and enjoyed it.

16. What's one thing about you that surprises people?

I’m much quieter than people expect.

17. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

Rugby Defence.

18. What state or country do you never want to go back to and why?

Nowhere in particular.

19. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

Can’t really think of any.

20. What’s top 1 to 3 books that greatly influenced your life?

I’m not a massive book reader but ‘Bounce’ - Matthew Syed would be one of my favourites.

21. If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

Languages.

22. Eliminate one thing from your daily schedule. What would it be and why?

Studying for college.

23. Do you have a favourite failure, that set you up for later success?

Probably getting dropped from the Irish Under 20s Squad.

Garry can best be found on Instagram or Twitter. He is currently in the middle of the rugby season with Leinster and Ireland. If you are interested in seeing Garry take the field, the November International first match is on the 3rd of November against Italy. If you enjoyed reading this or learned something new, I’d appreciate your feedback: either by a simple Emoji or by writing your thoughts in a response below. Thanks! Ryan