Julie Goodwin opens up about 2020 hospital stint for mental health treatment

The MasterChef icon has discussed how other patients she met while receiving mental health treatment inspired her in a candid new interview with news.com.au.

Returning MasterChef legend Julie Goodwin has been praised for her candour surrounding her mental health battle over the past few years.

The season one victor and mum-of-three shocked fans when she suddenly disappeared from her radio show in 2020, later revealing she left to seek treatment in a mental health ward amid a crippling bout of anxiety and depression.

Last week, the star was again applauded for her raw honesty while detailing how she “lost her joy” before receiving the call to join the Fans and Favourites season, in what was a stirring moment of mainstream television.

Julie Goodwin opened up about her mental health breakdown last week. Picture: Channel 10

Speaking to news.com.au, Julie revealed along with her fans and listeners, it was other patients she met while receiving treatment who first inspired her to bring honest conversations surrounding mental health to the forefront.

Recalling the moment she first penned a message to followers discussing her “crisis”, Julie said: “In the hospital where I was when I put that statement out, I was really blown away by the level of shame that was felt by the other patients in the hospital over being there.

“Their guilt in there … And I felt it too, but it took looking at these other people for me to think ‘Why would you feel ashamed of being here?’,” she said.

Julie Goodwin is back on MasterChef after winning the first season 13 years ago.

“Instead of going to rehab for your hip or your knee, you’ve gone to a rehab for your brain,” Julie continued.

“I just wanted to talk about it so some of those guys didn’t have to feel so guilty and so ashamed of it. It’s just the human condition. Things go wrong with us, sometimes it’s things that are wrong with our bodies and sometimes it’s things in our brains.”

Admitting she felt “a bit uncomfortable” urging others to “get back up” in her impassioned speech on Thursday night, Julie said for those who may be struggling, just asking for help can be life changing.

“What I can say from my experience is, I thought if I didn’t do something it wouldn’t be done properly. I thought that if I stopped any of those spinning plates that I had on top of my head, that everything would come crashing down. The thing is, it was trying to keep all those plates spinning that brought everything crashing down.

“All I ever had to say was ‘I need a hand’ … And I never said it because I was afraid of coming across as weak or incapable.”

She added: That whole idea of ‘You’re so amazing I don’t know how you do it all’, that shouldn’t be a badge of honour. That should be a warning.”

Goodwin praised the support of those around her when she was at her lowest. Pictures: Supplied.

Goodwin, who had fans rallying after a nervous first cook during this season’s premiere episode, was in tears after winning the first immunity challenge last Thursday.

“It’s been a tough couple of years, and I didn’t know if I was able to come back into this environment,” she told the judges while receiving her pin.

“My experience last time was that I fell over again and again, and I think I got to the end because every time I fell down I got back up.

“The phone call to come here was … it was the universe saying ‘It’s time to get back up’,” she added.

Speaking to news.com.au, Julie confessed the process of “getting back up” had taken work, but it’s the work which makes coping easier.

“As much as I wanted it to work instantly, it didn’t,” she said.

“It’s taken a really long time, more than two years, and a lot of concentrated effort to start to get better. At the very beginning of that, when there’s no energy and there’s no ability for anything, you’ve just got to do the things you’re told to do,” she explained.

Julie said “concentrated effort” has helped her get to where she is today.

Discussing her fears on returning to the MasterChef kitchen after 13 years, where she’s now rubbing shoulders with professional chefs from swanky restaurants and newbies boasting newfangled technical skills, Julie said the most surprising moment was being told her home cooking style was “enough” by judge Jock Zonfrillo in episode one.

“I’ve seen the standard going up year and year,” Julie said, admitting she felt “intimidated” by all the contestants.

“Among the favourites, there are people who are veterans in the hospitality industry now. People who own their own restaurants, who work in food, just honing their skills and finding their niche and getting excellent at things. Honest to god, I had no idea where I sat in this group.”

Jock’s words of wisdom, however, provided solace.

“I need you to just let it wash through your brain … You’re not an OG. You’re a winner,” he had said.

“But what you are, more importantly, is a classic. Okay? And classics never get old. Classics are very hard to beat.”

Reflecting on the advice, Julie said: “Being told by Jock on the very first cook that cooking the classics was OK … That really sort of gave me permission to cook what I love to do and what I’m good at doing.

“I was afraid that I would need to bring some techniques that I’m not necessarily familiar with.”

Welcome home, @_JulieGoodwin - we're glad you're here ❤️ pic.twitter.com/L60NBGwgoO

— MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) April 21, 2022

Julie said she now has strategies to cope in times of heightened stress — like the MasterChef kitchen.

“I use breathing now quite a lot. If I feel my heart racing away on me, and my head racing away on me, I focus on my breathing to slow down my heart rate and slow down my thoughts and calm everything down.”

MasterChef continues 7:30pm tonight on Ten.