Tammy Hembrow opens up on past mistakes, triumphs and why she’s staying on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast’s social queen opens up like never before. ‘The whole process was very therapeutic and emotional for me.’ Read Tammy Hembrow’s uncut full interview

Tammy Hembrow’s new book might be a bestseller, but Instagram’s original it girl still wishes she could rewrite part of her past.

But the twist in the tale is that it’s not the episode most might expect.

In writing Show Up, part motivational self-help guide and part memoir, Hembrow did not flinch from sharing some of her worst moments – including just what happened that 2018 night at Kylie Jenner’s 18th birthday party in LA. it’s the night when she collapsed and was carried out facedown on a stretcher in full view of paparazzi.

Tammy Hembrow has ventured into the literary world, announcing the impending release of her book, “Show Up”. Photo: Instagram.

But that’s not what she would change, because Hembrow said it helped make her who she is.

And who she is now is a 30-year-old owner of a gorgeous Gold Coast waterfront mansion, a mother of three beautiful children from two former fiances and who now has a wedding on the way – not to mention multiple millions in the bank.

She has built two successful businesses from scratch, activewear brand Saski, named after her oldest daughter, and subscription fitness app TammyFit.

She first started posting content 10 years ago when she was just 19 – and about to become pregnant for the first time – and now has 18 million followers on Instagram, two million on TikTok and 1.3 million on YouTube.

Oh, and her estimated worth is a cool $50 million.

So, despite her tough times and the hard headlines, why would she want to change anything?

But Hembrow said it was not so much the situations she would change, but her personal perception.

“I don’t necessarily think I’d want to rewrite any part of my life, because I know that everything I’ve been through has made me the person I am today,” she said.

“Of course, there are situations that I wish went a bit differently – which I’ve written about in Show Up – but they’ve all made me who I am.

“Sometimes, I do wish that I could rewrite my own past perception of myself. When bad things have happened or when I’ve faced criticism, I’ve sometimes let myself believe that the negative things people said about me were true.

“From where I stand now, I can see that that’s always a mistake, so I guess if I could tell my past self one tip, it would be to trust yourself to know who you are and block out the negativity – especially during tough times.”

Tammy Hembrow attends the BEC + BRIDGE show during Australian Fashion Week Presented By Pandora 2024 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on May 14, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for AFW)

While she’s found fortune and fame sharing her life online, landing on the Young Rich List at just 26, Hembrow said she’s naturally a quiet person.

Add to that the fear that any kindness from strangers may only be a front for something more sinister – a not uncommon experience in the influencer realm – and Hembrow admitted she often found it hard to open up in person.

But she said self-protection was an asset in the online industry, and young women interested in being either an influencer or entrepreneur, or both, would do well to remain somewhat guarded.

“I think people are quite shocked at how shy I am when they first meet me,” she said.

“I know I put a lot of my life online and I’m bubbly and extroverted through a camera lens – and to my close family and friends – so when people meet me they think that’s how I am to everyone, but it takes a while for me to show that side of me to strangers.

“One tip I would give women or girls … is to protect your energy. Just like everyone wanted to be friends with the ‘popular kids’ at school, the same dynamics are magnified online. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t trust anyone, but do be wary of people who only want to get something out of their connection to you.

“Of course, women can still be entrepreneurs without being influencers, but I can’t deny that my social media platforms have played a huge role in my other business ventures as well.

“I do owe a lot of my success to social media, and I won’t deny that, but I don’t think being an influencer is necessary for a successful business.”

Tammy Hembrow with Saskia (L), Posy, and Wolf. Picture: Supplied

Raised in Currumbin Valley alongside seven siblings, Hembrow said it was her parents’ divorce and a subsequent move to Singapore that opened her horizons – and lead to her love of books.

But it took a decade in the public eye – along with those three babies and the two businesses, as well as those relationship and headline dramas, to find herself in a place where she not only knew who she was, but what she had to share.

“When I was 12 years old, I moved to Singapore to live with my mum, two sisters and stepdad. In his house, he had a library – I know, it blew my mind too! – and there, I discovered personal development books,” she said.

“Those books inspired me to create a name for myself, and I’ve secretly always imagined that I would see my name on a cover one day. It’s so surreal that the dream has come true, and that Show Up is out there in the world to inspire others.

“Writing a book wasn’t at the forefront of my entrepreneurial endeavours, but I always dreamt that one day I’d write my own book. I decided that now was the right time because it took me a little while to figure out who I was, but now I feel like I have.

“Those questions and self-doubt are so common, especially among young women, so knowing that my story could inspire people who might be in similar shoes gave me the courage to take the leap and try my hand at writing a book – why not now?

“The whole process was very therapeutic and emotional for me. I feel like I’ve really poured my heart into these pages and I feel vulnerable to be sharing this with the world and inevitably opening myself up to a lot of opinions.

“One thing I learnt about myself when reflecting on my life is how resilient I am … there were a few chapters that made me very emotional, relieving certain scenarios.”

Matt Zukowski proposed to tammy Hembrow in the Maldives. Photo: Instagram.

As someone who backed herself in business and found success to be the best comeback against haters, Hembrow said she was focused on new business ventures in her 30s, as well as new love.

Engaged to former reality star, Matt Zukowski – who recently had her name inked on his hip, to match her tat of ‘Matt’ – she said wedding planning was well underway.

“We are still planning everything but slowly getting there! I can’t wait,” she said.

“(My 30s will be) more health, happiness, spending time with loved ones, my wedding, a new house, more travel, a potential new business venture and expanding my current businesses.”

But some things will never change.

“The Gold Coast will always be home,” she said.

Perhaps this city is Hembrow’s own happy ending.

Originally published as Tammy Hembrow opens up on past mistakes, triumphs and why she’s staying on the Gold Coast