Rebecca Maddern reveals ‘secret’ behind her physique

At 44, TV presenter Rebecca Maddern declares she is in her prime, and reveals the real secret to getting in shape.

Rebecca “Bec” Maddern can clearly recall the day she attended her mother’s 40th birthday when she herself was just seven.

“I remember thinking, look at all these old people celebrating my mum,” she tells Body+Soul.

“Of course, as I rapidly approach my 44th birthday, I look back at those 40-year-olds and think they weren’t old! They were ready to kick up their heels and party. They were young, fit people having a great time. And that’s how I feel.”

The co-host of Weekend Today and Australian Ninja Warrior (currently airing on the Nine Network), who’s also mum to threenager Ruby, believes she’s in the best shape of her life.

“I know people say age is just a number, but it truly is,” she says.

“Sure, I look in the mirror and think, oh gosh, I wish my boobs were a bit higher. But honestly, I’ve never felt better.” (Picture: Steven Chee)

“Sure, I look in the mirror and think, oh gosh, I wish my boobs were a bit higher. But honestly, I’ve never felt better. I don’t think that’s luck. I look after myself but it does pay off and it’s well worth doing it.”

Which Maddern admits is no mean feat, considering she gave birth to her “miracle baby” when she was 40.

“My late 30s were a very difficult time. IVF takes a lot out of you emotionally, physically and financially. I was stressed because it wasn’t working, I was full of hormones, and felt bloated and teary.

“Plus, I chose not to tell many people, so I used up a lot of energy ‘faking’ being happy. We all but gave up. Then around my 40th birthday I conceived naturally, a tiny miracle, and I’ve never been so happy. That was until the morning sickness started!”

After giving birth, Maddern was in no rush to get back to looking how she did before. “I just didn’t put that pressure on myself. Even being on television, I just didn’t let that factor into my recovery and my looking after my baby properly.”

She believes the secret may be her state of mind rather than a strict diet or exercise regimen that focuses solely on the weight of her behind.

“The care factor almost reduces down to zero by the time you get to 40. That’s such a freeing and liberating place to be. I don’t care if I don’t try to please everybody. I am who I am,” Maddern says matter-of-factly.

“I think women in their 40s actually look the best.” (Picture: Steven Chee)

“Does it bother me that I don’t have a sixpack? Absolutely not.” (Picture: Steven Chee)

“I think women in their 40s actually look the best. [They] just start to glow and, truly, it’s from the inside out. And I know that’s clichéd, but I’m in such a happy place now. I’ve got my beautiful miracle baby, I love my friends and family, and I’ve had more opportunities in my career being in my late 30s and in my early 40s than I’ve ever had. I’m really loving the spot I’m in right now.”

That’s not to say she hasn’t done strict diets in the past.

“I go through phases. I’m not going to lie, if I’ve got an event, I might do a few extra gym classes or lay off the carbs six weeks before I’ve got to get into a boned-corset dress.”

However, it wasn’t until she had Ruby that exercise became her important mental release.

“It just gives me an hour to myself,” she says. And being based in Melbourne during multiple lockdowns forced her to become a runner.

“We couldn’t go to gyms; we couldn’t see personal trainers. So you just had to make do with what you had. And what I had was a pair of sneakers. So I decided to start running again,” she explains.

“At the start it was so slow and I was terrible; it was agony and it was really hard. But with perseverance and persistence, it paid off. I got to my goal of running a comfortable 5km and once I got into the groove, I actually started to enjoy it, which has been the biggest surprise.”

Rebecca Maddern reveals her diet advice in this Sunday’s Body+Soul magazine.

Maddern tries to go for a run three times a week.

“I have setbacks some days and that’s OK. I mean, I’m not in the Olympics; it doesn’t matter. I think that’s the key: have realistic expectations.”

Which goes back to the care factor and why she’s not setting herself a goal of getting into a midriff-baring dress.

“Does it bother me that I don’t have a sixpack? Absolutely not – I’ve never had a sixpack. It would be a miracle if I had one after having a baby, so I just gave up on it,” she says.

“I’ve got skinny ankles. I don’t have a sixpack. You can’t have everything.”

Originally published as Rebecca Maddern reveals ‘secret’ behind her physique