Aussie celebrities overcome adversity to show their strengths

From sports broadcaster Erin Molan to Broncos captain Darius Boyd — meet the Aussie celebs who have faced adversity and proven that strength comes in all shapes and sizes.

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Meet the Aussie celebs who have faced adversity and proven that strength comes in all shapes and sizes.

ERIN MOLAN

This sports broadcaster knows a thing or two about resilience. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she learnt early on that she’d need to fight hard to be taken seriously and overcome negative comments.

“Some days the criticism hurts more than others,” she says.

Erin Molan was faced with some setbacks last year after The Footy Show was axed. Picture: Christian Gilles

“But I’m always seeking feedback; I take it on board and try my hardest to be better.”

After a turbulent 2018, which began with her being appointed as host of The Footy Show and ended with the show’s cancellation, Erin is keen to work even harder this year, revealing: “I’m so blessed to do what I do that working hard is just a given. It means too much to me to ever become complacent.”

Erin’s work this year includes hosting the Sunday Footy Show, and an array of sports reporting and charity work.

On top of her hectic schedule, Erin also cares for her seven-month-old daughter, Eliza. Becoming a parent has shown her how resilient she really is.

“I know it’s a cliche, but becoming a mum has taught me what really matters in life. It’s taught me that a woman’s body is incredible, and that there isn’t one ounce of mental or physical strength I wouldn’t call upon to protect her.”

HOW TO BE STRONG LIKE ERIN

1. FRONT UP

“To me, strength means always fronting up, regardless of what’s happening around you or whatever excuses you might have for pulling a blanket over your head and not getting out of bed.”

Molan loves being a mum to her daughter Eliza, who is now seven months old. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

2. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

“I’m aware that many of the tough times I’ve been through professionally and personally pale in comparison to what others go through. It’s much easier to be resilient if you have good perspective.”

3. TRY NEW THINGS

“Do things that terrify you. The most effective way to build resilience is to be put in a position where it’s required. I’ve had to build resilience over the years and, like the majority of people, I’ve had no choice. Constant exposure to situations that require resilience is good practice!”

EMMA WATKINS

When the ‘yellow Wiggle’ was diagnosed with stage-four endometriosis in April last year, she learnt that sometimes being tough is about knowing when to take a break.

Emma had surgery and quickly shared her story, hoping it would help prevent other women from suffering.

“If you have pain, go and see somebody because I know it’s been the best thing for me,” she says.

Emma Watkins has endometriosis. Picture: Christian Gilles

Darius Boyd with his wife Kayla. Picture: Mark Cranitch

DARIUS BOYD

The Broncos captain has come a long way since checking himself into rehab in 2014. After battling severe depression, Darius reached a point where he could no longer go it alone and, after seeking help, his mental health has never been better.

“I’m still learning, but I’m very happy with the person I am,” Darius says.

“I genuinely think I have a really good outlook on life. I still go through changes and challenges … but my down times might be hours or minutes now. My relationships and support networks are in a really good spot … whereas before I didn’t let enough people in to help me through difficult times.”

Darius now runs regular resilience workshops in Aussie schools to help educate kids on the importance of looking after your mental health and how to overcome adversity.

MADELINE STUART

At just 22, this Brisbane model has graced the catwalks of London, Paris and New York fashion weeks, launched her own clothing line and modelled for countless brands around the globe.

Model Madeline Stuart. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Born with Down syndrome, Madeline has never let anything stand in the way of her dreams.

When she saw her first fashion show in 2015, she was inspired to become a model, so she joined a gym, lost more than 20kg and, with the help of her mum Rosanne, began modelling.

Madeline has since used her position to advocate for diversity within the fashion industry.

Although she does have certain limitations, such as her speech, this doesn’t mean Madeline can take it easy.

“She knows exactly what she’s doing; she’s very capable,” Rosanne says.

“Madeline will work just as hard as anyone with or without a disability.”

It’s this kind of determination that will help Madeline overcome any of life’s challenges.

MOANA HOPE

She may have kicked more than 100 goals during her time in the AFLW, but no amount of training could have prepared Moana Hope for her appearance on Network Ten’s reality show, Survivor, last year.

Trapped on a remote Fijian island, the footy champion picked up a nasty bug that saw her lose 7kg in just five days.

“It was definitely one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Most people didn’t see that I went through nine days of sickness and lost around 12kg overall,” Moana reveals.

Moana Hope appeared on reality TV show Survivor last year.

She was so sick, she asked to leave the show and was ill for another three-and-a-half weeks after that.

“I was so unwell. I couldn’t eat or drink, and the doctors couldn’t get blood out of my veins because I was so dehydrated. It was an experience that broke me, but it also made me see that I can do anything.”

Months out from her debut with new club North Melbourne, Moana had to throw herself into training to bring her body back to form.

“It was a long process. I did a lot of bike work and started small with body weights and a lot of core work and then moved on to tiny weights until I could work my way back up.”

Now fully recovered, Moana will spend 2019 chasing after her dream of winning a premiership and starting a family with her fiancee, model Isabella Carlstrom.

HOW TO BE STRONG LIKE MOANA …

1. DON’T OVERTHINK IT

“I used to overthink a lot. When it came to a training session, I’d worry that it’d be too hard and that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. I’ve learnt that it’s all about just giving it a go, even if it means you only improve a tiny amount at a time.”

Moana Hope will play AFLW for North Melbourne this year.

2. KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE

“Everyone needs positive people in their life: the ones who only want the best for you. To keep your mental health on track, surround yourself with people who aren’t negative but will still give constructive criticism.”

3. KNOW YOUR LIMITS

“I listen to my body. I push myself to my limits to challenge myself, but I also pay attention to when I need a rest. If you do a session and it’s too much too soon, it could scare you from going back, so it’s important to know where you want to go and understand that it takes time to get there.”

IAN THORPE

Plagued by depression and anxiety since he was a teenager, the Olympic swimmer struggled to find his place in the world after retirement.

So when a series of shoulder operations in 2014 and 2015 (plus a major bacterial infection) left him facing a long recovery, things looked bleak.

Drawing on the same grit and tenacity that saw him win five gold medals, Ian was able to transform his mental health and encourages young athletes to check in with themselves, too.

“Your outlook determines when you’re going to recover. It’s about getting excited for the future even though at that period of time life isn’t quite right.”

Swimming legend Ian Thorpe. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Television host and author Osher Gunsberg.

OSHER GUNSBERG

Last year saw The Bachelor host reclaim his mental health after years of anxiety and depression.

In an effort to manage his symptoms without medication, Osher embarked on a fitness challenge that saw him lose 9kg in 10 weeks — but the physical makeover was nothing compared to his mental transformation.

“Coming off meds altogether meant that I needed to put management strategies in the place where [the meds] once were. I needed things to help me regulate my emotions … resistance training was a large part of that,” Osher wrote in a recent Facebook post.

Completely overhauling his training regimen and diet has been a worthwhile investment in his health, he says, as well as the quality of his relationships — both at home and at work.

Turia Pitt had her first child, son Hakavai in 2017. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

TURIA PITT

Few people could experience burns to 65 per cent of their body and come out stronger, but Turia is proof it can be done.

In 2011, the then-24-year-old became trapped in a grass fire during an ultra-marathon in Western Australia. Since then, Turia has undergone hundreds of operations while still competing in events — like the 2016 Ironman World Championships — and she also gave birth to her son, Hakavai, in 2017.

Next month, she will tackle the 30km mountain-run section of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in New Zealand.

“I wish people understood how powerful their mindset was,” she says.

“We can achieve any ‘impossible’ goal when we break it down into small bites. You’ve just got to focus on what you have to do today. The rest will follow.”