Carndonagh firefighter and endurance athlete shares story of resilience in new book

An Inishowen firefighter, who went from having little interest in fitness to completing some of Ireland’s toughest endurance challenges, is now sharing his story to inspire others in a new book.

A collection of powerful human stories of resilience, ‘When There Is Only Plan A – Action’ is due to be released on Tuesday, February 24.

One of those featured in the book is Shaun McLaughlin, a firefighter, engineer, endurance athlete and coach, who has completed more than 50 marathons, along with a series of demanding endurance challenges.

A 50-year-old from Carndonagh, Shaun says his journey didn’t begin with natural ability or a lifelong passion for sport. Far from it. Instead, it started with one difficult night in the gym that left him feeling completely out of his depth.

“That night felt like climbing Everest,” he explains. “But it opened a door. I realised you don’t have to be special to achieve something extraordinary – you just have to start.”

Over time, that single step grew into a disciplined lifestyle built around consistency, resilience, and mental strength. Alongside his work as a firefighter for the past seven years, Shaun has spent nearly two decades coaching athletes of all levels, helping hundreds of people reach personal milestones and, in some cases, national-level success.

With over 30 years’ experience in engineering, Shaun brings a structured, analytical approach to both his coaching and training. He holds recognised qualifications in personal training and coaching through Athletics Ireland and is currently studying for a degree in Strength and Conditioning to further develop his knowledge.

His chapter in ‘When There Is Only Plan A – Action’ focuses on the mindset behind endurance, the power of persistence, and the belief that small steps taken consistently can lead to remarkable change.

Shaun explains: “My chapter tells the story of how I went from having little interest in fitness to completing over 50 marathons. It didn’t start with talent or natural ability, of which I had none, believe me.”

“It actually started with one uncomfortable night in a gym where I felt completely out of my depth and knew nothing. That night could easily have been the end of it, but instead it became the beginning.”

“My chapter focuses less on medals and achievements, and more on mindset, resilience, consistency, and the belief that small, disciplined actions, taken over time, can completely change the direction of your life.”

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Shaun’s story highlights the balance between a demanding frontline career and the discipline required to pursue personal goals, offering an inspiring example of what can be achieved through determination and long-term commitment.

The Carn man has previously co-authored ‘Decision – The Gateway to Your Unlimited Potential’, which reached the Irish Times Best Seller List in 2024, and he says that experience gave him the confidence to share more of his own journey.

“I’ve always been interested in the process behind performance. Writing this chapter felt important because I know there are people sitting where I once sat, doubting themselves, thinking they’re ‘not the type’ to do hard things. If my story encourages even one person to start, that’s worthwhile,” Shaun added.

The new book can be purchased at https://whenthereisonlyplanaction.com/book, while anyone who would like to get in contact with Shaun is free to email: info@shaunbill.com