Most reality TV stars fade into obscurity before the show has even wrapped – but then again, former Love Island hopeful Sinéad Hegarty is not most people.

The blonde bombshell, 27, from Northern Ireland, relocated to the sunnier climes of Australia to find herself after her relationship broke down, but along the way she also found almost 100,000 Instagram followers and her life’s purpose: helping others.

In less than two years, the straight-talking beauty has secured a slew of sponsorship deals with major clothing and fitness brands, launched her own spiritual retreat and amassed a global army of loyal fans from Strabane to Sydney.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Sinéad recalled her incredible journey from Love Island reject to social media spiritual guru – and she’s only getting started.

Sinéad Hegarty (pictured) relocated to the sunnier climes of Australia to find herself after her relationship broke down, but along the way she also found almost 100,000 Instagram followers and her life's purpose: helping others

Sinéad Hegarty (pictured) relocated to the sunnier climes of Australia to find herself after her relationship broke down, but along the way she also found almost 100,000 Instagram followers and her life’s purpose: helping others

In less than two years, the straight-talking beauty has secured a slew of sponsorship deals with major clothing and fitness brands, launched her own spiritual retreat and amassed a global army of loyal fans from Strabane to Sydney

In less than two years, the straight-talking beauty has secured a slew of sponsorship deals with major clothing and fitness brands, launched her own spiritual retreat and amassed a global army of loyal fans from Strabane to Sydney

 In less than two years, the straight-talking beauty has secured a slew of sponsorship deals with major clothing and fitness brands, launched her own spiritual retreat and amassed a global army of loyal fans from Strabane to Sydney

Sinéad was a nightclub hostess in the Spanish party resort of Magaluf when she was approached to appear on UK Love Island in 2016.

‘With Love Island I was really young – I said “yes” out of pure ego, I didn’t know who I was as a person. I felt it was a quick game with quick money,’ she readily admitted.

Her stint lasted just one episode but a panic attack right before filming would leave her with spells of anxiety for years to come.

The short-lived reality TV experience did little for Sinéad’s confidence and even less for her personal profile.

‘I gained zero followers out of Love Island – nothing but judgement and humiliation,’ she joked.

It wasn’t until her relationship ended suddenly two years later that Sinéad started to gain traction online, and heartbreak works in mysterious ways because that break-up marked the beginning of what is now an almost 100,000 strong Instagram fan base.

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

‘My boyfriend and I had planned to travel around Asia and on to Australia, but about a week before we were due to leave we broke up,’ she said.

‘It was terrifying but I made the decision to go alone and do it for myself. I was absolutely heartbroken but instead of hiding that part of my life I started sharing the bad stuff too. 

‘I was reading a lot of spiritual self-help books during that time to figure out why I was feeling the way I did and how to get over it.

‘Once I started saying look guys I’m down, I’m depressed and I’ve got no money – people started to respond to me.

I wasn’t afraid of saying I am absolutely broke – this is me, I work in a bar, this is my life.

‘I think it also helped that I was posting a lot about my break-up and hating men,’ she laughed.

‘Most of my followers are women, which I love, and that all stems from sharing my relationship woes.’

When she arrived in Sydney, Sinéad started working with a well-known hospitality chain and continued sharing all aspects of her daily life online.

‘I wasn’t afraid of saying I am absolutely broke – this is me, I work in a bar, this is my life. I was being my true self,’ she said.

After her relationship ended unexpectedly, Sinéad began building a following through her relatable, 'flaws and all' posts on Instagram

After her relationship ended unexpectedly, Sinéad began building a following through her relatable, 'flaws and all' posts on Instagram

After her relationship ended unexpectedly, Sinéad began building a following through her relatable, ‘flaws and all’ posts on Instagram

Sinéad's straight-talking approach to social media secured her brand deals with Pretty Little Thing, My Protein and global literary retailer the Book Depository

Sinéad's straight-talking approach to social media secured her brand deals with Pretty Little Thing, My Protein and global literary retailer the Book Depository

Sinéad’s straight-talking approach to social media secured her brand deals with Pretty Little Thing, My Protein and global literary retailer the Book Depository

‘But I had this realisation one day that I didn’t want to work for anyone anymore. 

‘I had a lot of creative energy and plenty of ideas, but no time to channel it into anything because I was working every hour in the week.’

Inspired by her own struggles with dating Down Under, Sinéad used her savings to host a singles boat party event in Sydney in late 2018 which proved to be a hit and boosted her profile even further.

Always mindful to create content aligned with her values, Sinéad started sharing what she has learned from her favourite psychology books, as well as short exercise videos and fun times with her friends.

‘Once I realised I had a voice and a platform to share it from, I became addicted to self-help – or rather, helping others self-help,’ she said.

‘There really is nothing more beautiful to me than the messages I get from people saying I’ve changed their mindset and their outlook on life.

‘My ultimate goal is to help others find their true purpose and their true self, so I’m doing a lot of motivational speaking now – I literally buzz off those events.’

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

Next April Sinéad will host an all-female spiritual fitness retreat (with plenty of fun included) in Phuket, Thailand

What followed was a string of sponsorship deals with UK fitness brand My Protein, global fast fashion giant Pretty Little Thing and online literary retailer the Book Depository.

She recently launched an eponymous website, SineadHegarty.com, and is currently partnering with Irish baker Sharron McCarron to create low calorie protein cheesecakes near her home in County Tyrone.

But the biggest business venture on the horizon for this straight-talking social media sensation is a spiritual fitness retreat in Phuket, Thailand which launches next April.

‘My next big thing is Brave Retreats – it’s all about girls becoming brave enough to do everything they want to do in life,’ she said.

It’s a beautiful way to live knowing that everything has a purpose. 

‘I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression in the past, and from studying the human brain I now understand that was because I had a lack of human connections.

‘We spend so much time on our phones we miss out on what we really need for psychological stimulation which is face to face experiences.

‘I want my retreat to be a space where women can have these personal encounters and create deep human connections – with equal amounts of fitness and fun involved of course!’

Most recently, Sinéad partnered with Irish baker and food columnist Sharron McCarron (right) to create low calorie protein cheesecakes

Most recently, Sinéad partnered with Irish baker and food columnist Sharron McCarron (right) to create low calorie protein cheesecakes

Most recently, Sinéad partnered with Irish baker and food columnist Sharron McCarron (right) to create low calorie protein cheesecakes

Inspired by the difficulties she experienced forging meaningful friendships in her first weeks in Australia, Sinéad also plans to launch ‘Brave Brunches’ in Sydney to help women find new social groups after relocating Down Under. 

Reflecting on her path to the present, Sinéad said her life journey makes perfect sense now. 

‘It’s actually insane because my whole time in Australia reading about human behaviour and spirituality, I realised everything has a purpose. 

‘My break-up brought me to Australia; being broke and feeling purposeless brought me to the boat party event… It’s a beautiful way to live knowing that everything has a purpose.’

Asked what she believes her secret to success in such a short time has been, Sinéad is certain it all comes down to hard work and authenticity.

‘My secret has just been being my true self, flaws and all,’ she said.

‘If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world your best.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk