1 00:00:08,234 --> 00:00:12,994 Speaker 1: You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. 2 00:00:14,434 --> 00:00:17,113 Speaker 2: Hi, out ladders, It's Holly here in your ears, and 3 00:00:17,154 --> 00:00:20,753 Speaker 2: I'm here because we are sharing an exclusive episode of 4 00:00:20,794 --> 00:00:25,354 Speaker 2: Mamma MEA's woman's health podcast Well with You Lot. This week, 5 00:00:25,474 --> 00:00:28,314 Speaker 2: Claire Murphy is speaking to someone who you might know 6 00:00:28,474 --> 00:00:31,434 Speaker 2: best for being well. She's kind of like a sun 7 00:00:31,554 --> 00:00:35,234 Speaker 2: kissed golden girl. She's a fitness entrepreneur. She's a person 8 00:00:35,274 --> 00:00:37,994 Speaker 2: who's built their brand on that very kind of gold 9 00:00:38,034 --> 00:00:43,913 Speaker 2: coasty look. That person is influencer Tammy Hembrow. This episode 10 00:00:44,074 --> 00:00:48,234 Speaker 2: covers Tammy's shocked skin cancer diagnosis and how her life 11 00:00:48,273 --> 00:00:51,793 Speaker 2: has changed in the aftermath of that health scare. It's 12 00:00:51,833 --> 00:00:55,194 Speaker 2: a powerful story about the real dangers of Australia's sun 13 00:00:55,234 --> 00:00:58,754 Speaker 2: loving culture, and Tammy shares a message that she's desperate 14 00:00:58,794 --> 00:01:00,633 Speaker 2: for her millions of followers to hear. 15 00:01:01,634 --> 00:01:04,434 Speaker 3: I was twenty eight when I got my melanoma, so 16 00:01:04,634 --> 00:01:05,913 Speaker 3: I was young still. 17 00:01:05,994 --> 00:01:07,114 Speaker 4: I just never expected it. 18 00:01:07,274 --> 00:01:10,113 Speaker 3: I spent all my time at the beach in the sun, 19 00:01:10,274 --> 00:01:13,794 Speaker 3: and literally my whole life, I never ever wore sanscreen. 20 00:01:13,914 --> 00:01:16,714 Speaker 4: It never crossed my mind skin cancer or anything. 21 00:01:17,074 --> 00:01:19,514 Speaker 3: I just thought I would always be fine, and a 22 00:01:19,554 --> 00:01:22,514 Speaker 3: lot of these young women think they're invincible like I did, 23 00:01:22,634 --> 00:01:23,954 Speaker 3: and that's not how it is. 24 00:01:29,954 --> 00:01:33,474 Speaker 1: Hello there and welcome to a well special episode today. 25 00:01:33,554 --> 00:01:36,594 Speaker 1: You are channing into me, Claire Murphy and someone you 26 00:01:36,714 --> 00:01:39,234 Speaker 1: may know well. For their life in the limelight. As 27 00:01:39,234 --> 00:01:43,354 Speaker 1: a fitness influencer, model, and entrepreneur, Tammy Hembro has risen 28 00:01:43,394 --> 00:01:46,714 Speaker 1: to fame. She even rubbed shoulders with the Kardashian Jenna 29 00:01:46,754 --> 00:01:48,994 Speaker 1: clan back in twenty eighteen, leading to her and her 30 00:01:49,034 --> 00:01:52,834 Speaker 1: sisters being dubbed Australia's answer to the Kardashians. Tammy is 31 00:01:52,834 --> 00:01:56,114 Speaker 1: in some ways synonymous with the sun drenched, golden tan 32 00:01:56,194 --> 00:01:59,114 Speaker 1: lifestyle of the Gold Coast. She's built a global brand 33 00:01:59,154 --> 00:02:02,474 Speaker 1: on that very lifestyle. I'm a single mom, I've got 34 00:02:02,474 --> 00:02:03,074 Speaker 1: three kids. 35 00:02:03,274 --> 00:02:08,114 Speaker 3: I've been in some very public relationship in the past 36 00:02:08,594 --> 00:02:10,554 Speaker 3: and it's my life at the end of the day, 37 00:02:11,234 --> 00:02:11,754 Speaker 3: end of the day. 38 00:02:11,794 --> 00:02:14,393 Speaker 4: I'm just a human, guys. I'm a human. I make 39 00:02:14,514 --> 00:02:15,513 Speaker 4: human mistakes. 40 00:02:15,954 --> 00:02:18,594 Speaker 1: Hey, guys, we are here at the gym. 41 00:02:19,154 --> 00:02:21,234 Speaker 3: Just because I don't have a lot of time do 42 00:02:21,234 --> 00:02:25,034 Speaker 3: doesn't mean I don't want to slam the group. 43 00:02:25,634 --> 00:02:32,754 Speaker 4: What That's where I can already feel the pump and pump. 44 00:02:33,514 --> 00:02:36,794 Speaker 1: But living that sundrenched life came at a serious cost. 45 00:02:37,234 --> 00:02:39,674 Speaker 1: Tammy spent her childhood in teen years at the beach 46 00:02:39,834 --> 00:02:42,674 Speaker 1: soaking up rays for hours on end without ever giving 47 00:02:42,714 --> 00:02:47,114 Speaker 1: it a second thought. She thought she was invincible until 48 00:02:47,114 --> 00:02:49,434 Speaker 1: a harmless looking freckle on the back of her leg 49 00:02:49,874 --> 00:02:52,594 Speaker 1: turned out to be a melanoma. Tammy joins us today 50 00:02:52,634 --> 00:02:55,714 Speaker 1: to share her skin cancer journey and her powerful message 51 00:02:55,874 --> 00:03:01,874 Speaker 1: to her millions of followers. Tammy, thank you so much 52 00:03:01,914 --> 00:03:05,234 Speaker 1: for joining us today. Looks like from the beautiful sunny 53 00:03:05,314 --> 00:03:07,754 Speaker 1: Gold Coast. Looks like the weather that's nice. 54 00:03:08,034 --> 00:03:10,394 Speaker 3: Yeah, thank you for having me. It is a beautiful 55 00:03:10,474 --> 00:03:12,274 Speaker 3: day day. It's got to be like thirty degrees to 56 00:03:12,754 --> 00:03:15,954 Speaker 3: I'm amazing. I don't know why I'm wearing a jumper. 57 00:03:15,674 --> 00:03:18,074 Speaker 1: Right now, Why you're wearing a jumper right now? 58 00:03:18,394 --> 00:03:20,314 Speaker 3: I just do it on for the school run this morning, 59 00:03:20,434 --> 00:03:21,834 Speaker 3: and now I'm regretting this. 60 00:03:22,874 --> 00:03:25,594 Speaker 1: This is just where we're at, Temmy. We are talking 61 00:03:25,594 --> 00:03:29,354 Speaker 1: to you today about your skin cancer journey. So I 62 00:03:29,394 --> 00:03:32,234 Speaker 1: wanted to start off with getting an idea on who 63 00:03:32,514 --> 00:03:36,634 Speaker 1: pre melanoma Tammy was. Because you're living on the Gold Coast, 64 00:03:36,954 --> 00:03:39,274 Speaker 1: we know what the Gold Coast life is like, So 65 00:03:39,434 --> 00:03:42,994 Speaker 1: tell me a little bit about your habits pre melanoma. 66 00:03:43,474 --> 00:03:43,634 Speaker 4: Yeah. 67 00:03:43,674 --> 00:03:45,474 Speaker 3: I grew up on the Gold Coast, so I spent 68 00:03:45,594 --> 00:03:48,234 Speaker 3: all my time at the beach in the sun, and 69 00:03:48,954 --> 00:03:52,274 Speaker 3: literally my whole life. I never ever wore sunscreen, and 70 00:03:52,314 --> 00:03:54,234 Speaker 3: in like high school and stuff, I used to lie 71 00:03:54,314 --> 00:03:57,514 Speaker 3: in the sun for hours to get a ten, obviously, 72 00:03:57,554 --> 00:04:00,354 Speaker 3: and I never wore sunscreen. And I never used to 73 00:04:00,714 --> 00:04:03,434 Speaker 3: burn either, so I would just straight away just get 74 00:04:03,474 --> 00:04:07,554 Speaker 3: really tanned. It never crossed my mind skin cancer anything. 75 00:04:07,914 --> 00:04:09,834 Speaker 3: I just thought, you know, I was blessed to get 76 00:04:09,874 --> 00:04:12,354 Speaker 3: like naturally really ten and I would always be fine. 77 00:04:12,674 --> 00:04:14,714 Speaker 3: But yeah, I never I never wore sunscreen. I never 78 00:04:14,754 --> 00:04:16,234 Speaker 3: even like gave it a second thought. 79 00:04:16,274 --> 00:04:18,154 Speaker 1: Really, did you feel like the fact that you did 80 00:04:18,234 --> 00:04:20,394 Speaker 1: ten and not burn made you feel like you're a 81 00:04:20,433 --> 00:04:21,714 Speaker 1: bit immune to that kind of stuff. 82 00:04:21,954 --> 00:04:25,393 Speaker 3: Yeah, I honestly thought I was immune, Like I thought 83 00:04:25,474 --> 00:04:28,313 Speaker 3: it just something like that would never happened to me. 84 00:04:28,674 --> 00:04:31,994 Speaker 3: I was convinced that my skin was just special and 85 00:04:32,113 --> 00:04:34,113 Speaker 3: I never got bunch or anything. 86 00:04:34,753 --> 00:04:38,514 Speaker 1: Did you miss the no play policy at school? Was 87 00:04:38,513 --> 00:04:39,633 Speaker 1: that around when you were a kid? 88 00:04:39,914 --> 00:04:40,753 Speaker 4: Not really. 89 00:04:40,993 --> 00:04:44,433 Speaker 3: My primary school that I went to was in Crumb 90 00:04:44,474 --> 00:04:45,993 Speaker 3: and Valley. There was like one hundred people in the 91 00:04:45,993 --> 00:04:48,674 Speaker 3: whole entire school. It was really small, so the rules 92 00:04:48,714 --> 00:04:51,394 Speaker 3: were very relaxed at that school. And then you know, 93 00:04:51,433 --> 00:04:52,834 Speaker 3: when I got to high school, I was a bit 94 00:04:52,873 --> 00:04:56,393 Speaker 3: of a rebel, so it never was really a big 95 00:04:56,594 --> 00:04:57,473 Speaker 3: thing for me. 96 00:04:57,714 --> 00:05:00,794 Speaker 1: So would it have been like, oh god, hats and sunscreen? Like, 97 00:05:00,834 --> 00:05:03,113 Speaker 1: could you not? Is that the vibe high school time 98 00:05:03,154 --> 00:05:03,713 Speaker 1: we would have had? 99 00:05:04,193 --> 00:05:04,393 Speaker 4: Yeah? 100 00:05:04,433 --> 00:05:06,514 Speaker 3: I mean it's funny because my dad is very has 101 00:05:06,594 --> 00:05:08,753 Speaker 3: always been like wear sunscreen, where a hat. 102 00:05:08,753 --> 00:05:11,434 Speaker 4: He's very much like that, and I just never used 103 00:05:11,433 --> 00:05:12,234 Speaker 4: to listen to him. 104 00:05:13,474 --> 00:05:13,553 Speaker 3: Uh. 105 00:05:13,674 --> 00:05:16,113 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think we can all agree that parents telling 106 00:05:16,193 --> 00:05:18,113 Speaker 1: you to do stuff is often the way to not 107 00:05:18,154 --> 00:05:19,914 Speaker 1: get them to do stuff. As you know as a 108 00:05:19,953 --> 00:05:23,274 Speaker 1: parent yourself, now, sometimes you need some reverse psychology. So 109 00:05:23,513 --> 00:05:25,753 Speaker 1: you've spent heaps of time out in the sun. You 110 00:05:26,154 --> 00:05:28,113 Speaker 1: are pretty open about how much you love going to 111 00:05:28,113 --> 00:05:30,513 Speaker 1: the beach and spending time in the ocean, and so 112 00:05:31,113 --> 00:05:34,433 Speaker 1: you are just out there feeling immune. What then alerts 113 00:05:34,474 --> 00:05:36,914 Speaker 1: you to maybe something on the back of your leg 114 00:05:36,953 --> 00:05:38,873 Speaker 1: which you would not be seeing every day in the mirror? 115 00:05:38,953 --> 00:05:40,953 Speaker 1: What alerts you to that being an issue? 116 00:05:41,234 --> 00:05:44,034 Speaker 3: Had a little tiny freckle, which I thought nothing of. 117 00:05:44,234 --> 00:05:46,433 Speaker 3: I have new little freckles pop up all the time. 118 00:05:46,513 --> 00:05:49,914 Speaker 3: It didn't look suspicious, it didn't look weird or anything. 119 00:05:50,113 --> 00:05:54,313 Speaker 3: And I had just started getting skin checks and I 120 00:05:54,393 --> 00:05:57,794 Speaker 3: actually had one book I was getting like one yearly 121 00:05:58,354 --> 00:05:58,834 Speaker 3: living here. 122 00:05:58,873 --> 00:06:01,073 Speaker 4: I thought, you know, it's probably a good idea to 123 00:06:01,073 --> 00:06:01,314 Speaker 4: do that. 124 00:06:01,993 --> 00:06:05,553 Speaker 3: And I actually put off my appointment multiple times. I 125 00:06:05,633 --> 00:06:08,513 Speaker 3: kept having to cancel on risk because I was so busy. 126 00:06:08,553 --> 00:06:10,034 Speaker 3: So I was like, you know what, we'll just change 127 00:06:10,034 --> 00:06:11,633 Speaker 3: it to next month. We'll change it to next month. 128 00:06:11,633 --> 00:06:15,154 Speaker 3: And I put it off, honestly, about five times, and 129 00:06:15,193 --> 00:06:19,113 Speaker 3: then I finally went to the appointment because my pa 130 00:06:19,354 --> 00:06:21,993 Speaker 3: was like, girl, stop canceling it, like just go, Like 131 00:06:22,073 --> 00:06:22,433 Speaker 3: just gna. 132 00:06:22,993 --> 00:06:25,234 Speaker 1: She's like, I've rescheduled this twenty times now, I cannot 133 00:06:25,234 --> 00:06:25,954 Speaker 1: make one more phone. 134 00:06:26,234 --> 00:06:28,033 Speaker 4: I'm not rebooking this again for you. 135 00:06:28,113 --> 00:06:30,474 Speaker 3: So I was like, okay, I'll go, and I went 136 00:06:30,633 --> 00:06:34,313 Speaker 3: and my doctor thought it looked a little bit suspicious, 137 00:06:34,313 --> 00:06:36,633 Speaker 3: this tiny little freckle, and I was like, oh, that's weird. 138 00:06:37,113 --> 00:06:40,354 Speaker 3: And then I ended up getting a phone call from 139 00:06:40,393 --> 00:06:44,313 Speaker 3: him not long after that appointment saying it is melanoma. 140 00:06:44,354 --> 00:06:47,873 Speaker 4: And I was just like so like what. I was 141 00:06:47,914 --> 00:06:48,594 Speaker 4: so shocked. 142 00:06:48,714 --> 00:06:51,273 Speaker 3: I had no idea, and I I'm so glad I 143 00:06:51,313 --> 00:06:52,154 Speaker 3: went to that appointment. 144 00:06:52,193 --> 00:06:55,593 Speaker 1: Now, when you were told over the phone, I imagine 145 00:06:55,633 --> 00:06:57,234 Speaker 1: you put the phone down and then you immediately look 146 00:06:57,274 --> 00:06:58,713 Speaker 1: at that thing on the back of your leg, like, 147 00:06:58,753 --> 00:07:00,433 Speaker 1: do you look at it differently? As soon as you 148 00:07:00,433 --> 00:07:01,234 Speaker 1: put the phone down. 149 00:07:01,354 --> 00:07:04,914 Speaker 4: It still looked just so like nothing like. 150 00:07:05,354 --> 00:07:07,553 Speaker 3: If I hadn't brought that appointment, I never ever would 151 00:07:07,553 --> 00:07:10,274 Speaker 3: have thought, like, I have other freckles that look way 152 00:07:10,314 --> 00:07:12,754 Speaker 3: more suspicious than that, And it was just like a tiny, 153 00:07:12,834 --> 00:07:17,234 Speaker 3: tiny little freckle, So it really wasn't anything out of 154 00:07:17,234 --> 00:07:20,074 Speaker 3: the ordinary. The only thing about it was that it 155 00:07:20,234 --> 00:07:23,634 Speaker 3: was on its own. It wasn't like near any other freckles. 156 00:07:23,634 --> 00:07:26,554 Speaker 3: I guess, so I guess that was the only sort 157 00:07:26,594 --> 00:07:29,274 Speaker 3: of suspicious thing. But I still wouldn't have even thought 158 00:07:29,274 --> 00:07:30,194 Speaker 3: that was suspicious. 159 00:07:30,474 --> 00:07:32,234 Speaker 1: I'm guessing you wouldn't have known either. I spoke to 160 00:07:32,234 --> 00:07:34,554 Speaker 1: a skin cancer specialist who told me that it is 161 00:07:34,914 --> 00:07:39,354 Speaker 1: incredibly common for Australian women to get melanoma on their cuff. 162 00:07:39,953 --> 00:07:41,754 Speaker 1: Did you know that that was like one of the 163 00:07:41,794 --> 00:07:45,354 Speaker 1: most prevalent spots that women get skin cancer? Here in Australia. 164 00:07:45,634 --> 00:07:48,474 Speaker 4: No, I had no idea. That's so interesting. 165 00:07:48,634 --> 00:07:50,834 Speaker 1: We're just getting out with our miniskirts and shorts on 166 00:07:51,274 --> 00:07:52,674 Speaker 1: leaving them out to hang in the sun. 167 00:07:53,393 --> 00:07:56,473 Speaker 3: Yeah, you don't really like think about especially yeah in 168 00:07:56,554 --> 00:07:58,994 Speaker 3: like what you're wearing and stuff, and you're just in 169 00:07:59,034 --> 00:08:00,474 Speaker 3: the sun like every day or me. 170 00:08:00,714 --> 00:08:03,234 Speaker 4: In the fun all the time. So yeah, I never 171 00:08:03,274 --> 00:08:03,914 Speaker 4: gave it a thought. 172 00:08:03,953 --> 00:08:06,954 Speaker 1: Really, how long between that phone call to when they 173 00:08:07,314 --> 00:08:08,434 Speaker 1: you in to have it removed? 174 00:08:08,714 --> 00:08:11,354 Speaker 4: It was pretty quickly after that. 175 00:08:11,434 --> 00:08:14,393 Speaker 3: I went in to get it removed, and I was 176 00:08:14,434 --> 00:08:18,234 Speaker 3: actually so shocked at the amount of my leg they 177 00:08:18,274 --> 00:08:20,514 Speaker 3: had to take out, Like it was a pretty big 178 00:08:20,594 --> 00:08:23,273 Speaker 3: chunk of my leg that they had to take out, 179 00:08:23,314 --> 00:08:25,594 Speaker 3: Like the freckle was a tiny, tiny freckle and the 180 00:08:25,754 --> 00:08:26,874 Speaker 3: area was probably like that. 181 00:08:26,914 --> 00:08:29,234 Speaker 4: Big and like deep. So I have like a big 182 00:08:29,274 --> 00:08:31,634 Speaker 4: tea scar on the back of my leg now. 183 00:08:32,114 --> 00:08:35,154 Speaker 3: And yeah, it was pretty shocking, Like obviously they had 184 00:08:35,154 --> 00:08:37,274 Speaker 3: to make sure they were getting it all and everything, 185 00:08:37,314 --> 00:08:39,074 Speaker 3: but I was like the fact that a tiny little 186 00:08:39,114 --> 00:08:47,714 Speaker 3: freckle like that can do that much damage is like crazy. 187 00:08:47,794 --> 00:08:52,074 Speaker 1: How does that then change how you see yourself? I mean, 188 00:08:52,594 --> 00:08:54,954 Speaker 1: considering what you do for a living and you're out 189 00:08:54,994 --> 00:08:57,874 Speaker 1: there with your face and your body and your personalities 190 00:08:57,914 --> 00:09:00,434 Speaker 1: all kind of packaged up into what you do as 191 00:09:00,434 --> 00:09:03,354 Speaker 1: a job. How do you then factor in the fact 192 00:09:03,354 --> 00:09:04,833 Speaker 1: that you have this really big scar on the back 193 00:09:04,874 --> 00:09:05,314 Speaker 1: of your leg? 194 00:09:05,354 --> 00:09:05,514 Speaker 4: Now? 195 00:09:05,554 --> 00:09:06,434 Speaker 1: Does that not bother you? 196 00:09:07,554 --> 00:09:08,394 Speaker 4: Doesn't bother me. 197 00:09:08,674 --> 00:09:10,594 Speaker 3: The only thing about the scar that bothered me was 198 00:09:10,674 --> 00:09:13,074 Speaker 3: when it was first healing. It's right in a weird 199 00:09:13,114 --> 00:09:16,674 Speaker 3: spot under my knees, so I couldn't train probably for whiles, 200 00:09:16,754 --> 00:09:20,554 Speaker 3: and that was that was like something that was really frustrating. 201 00:09:20,754 --> 00:09:23,434 Speaker 3: And I actually started working out a bit sooner than 202 00:09:23,474 --> 00:09:26,074 Speaker 3: I was told to and it ended up getting infected, 203 00:09:26,114 --> 00:09:29,074 Speaker 3: which yeah, it was just like so it made me 204 00:09:29,114 --> 00:09:31,314 Speaker 3: take some time off working out and things like that. 205 00:09:31,354 --> 00:09:34,154 Speaker 3: So that was frustrating. But the scar, like how it looks, 206 00:09:34,474 --> 00:09:36,674 Speaker 3: I'm lucky it's not on my face or anything. 207 00:09:36,914 --> 00:09:37,994 Speaker 4: It's on the back of my leg. 208 00:09:38,074 --> 00:09:41,594 Speaker 3: But I think it's just like a nice reminder, to 209 00:09:41,674 --> 00:09:45,434 Speaker 3: be honest, It reminds me that I'm not invincible and 210 00:09:45,794 --> 00:09:47,394 Speaker 3: I need to think about these things. 211 00:09:48,114 --> 00:09:52,714 Speaker 1: Was there even time to really worry about it in between? 212 00:09:52,754 --> 00:09:55,034 Speaker 1: Like the fact that you didn't go to that appointment 213 00:09:55,034 --> 00:09:57,434 Speaker 1: with anything in mind, and that it was so quick 214 00:09:57,474 --> 00:10:00,114 Speaker 1: between being told it's melanoma to having it cut out. 215 00:10:00,354 --> 00:10:01,834 Speaker 1: Did you even have a moment to kind of sit 216 00:10:01,834 --> 00:10:04,754 Speaker 1: down and go, oh, my goodness, I actually have skin cancer? 217 00:10:04,834 --> 00:10:07,074 Speaker 1: Like did that even settle in in that time frame? 218 00:10:07,554 --> 00:10:09,194 Speaker 4: I couldn't really wrap my head around it. 219 00:10:09,234 --> 00:10:12,074 Speaker 3: I was like, this is like something that can be 220 00:10:12,474 --> 00:10:16,354 Speaker 3: very deadly and it's quite like a scary thing. I 221 00:10:16,474 --> 00:10:19,234 Speaker 3: just couldn't understand that I have it. I was like, 222 00:10:19,314 --> 00:10:22,394 Speaker 3: how has this happened? Like is this real? So yeah, 223 00:10:22,434 --> 00:10:24,394 Speaker 3: I didn't have a lot of time to sort of 224 00:10:24,794 --> 00:10:26,914 Speaker 3: process it. I think I was just like in shock 225 00:10:27,114 --> 00:10:30,714 Speaker 3: the whole time. But yeah, super grateful that we obviously 226 00:10:31,034 --> 00:10:31,954 Speaker 3: found it when we did. 227 00:10:32,674 --> 00:10:35,994 Speaker 1: How do you feel about teenage you who was out 228 00:10:36,034 --> 00:10:39,234 Speaker 1: in the sun and feeling like nothing can touch you? 229 00:10:39,594 --> 00:10:43,594 Speaker 1: Like do you regret the choices that you made then 230 00:10:43,914 --> 00:10:46,674 Speaker 1: or do you look back and think I had to 231 00:10:46,754 --> 00:10:49,994 Speaker 1: kind of do that to learn the lesson now? 232 00:10:50,874 --> 00:10:51,194 Speaker 4: Yeah? 233 00:10:51,274 --> 00:10:54,154 Speaker 3: I mean I feel like everything in life you can 234 00:10:54,234 --> 00:10:58,194 Speaker 3: learn something from. I wouldn't change anything, and I just 235 00:10:58,234 --> 00:11:01,274 Speaker 3: feel like I just didn't know better and now I 236 00:11:01,314 --> 00:11:03,034 Speaker 3: do and I've learned so much and now I can 237 00:11:03,074 --> 00:11:06,994 Speaker 3: hopefully teach that to my kids, and I always say 238 00:11:07,154 --> 00:11:09,114 Speaker 3: every time I'm with my friends in the sun, I'm like, 239 00:11:09,154 --> 00:11:11,554 Speaker 3: put on sound screen, Like I say it to everyone 240 00:11:11,634 --> 00:11:12,354 Speaker 3: everyone I meet. 241 00:11:12,394 --> 00:11:13,074 Speaker 4: Now I'm like, I. 242 00:11:13,034 --> 00:11:15,874 Speaker 3: Had modom like what your sound screen? So I think 243 00:11:16,194 --> 00:11:19,194 Speaker 3: I wouldn't change anything. I don't like regret it, but 244 00:11:19,794 --> 00:11:21,914 Speaker 3: I hope others can learn from it. 245 00:11:21,954 --> 00:11:24,394 Speaker 4: But yeah, teenage me, she didn't know better. 246 00:11:24,994 --> 00:11:28,034 Speaker 1: Did teenage you hear about Slipslop's lap? I feel like 247 00:11:28,114 --> 00:11:30,474 Speaker 1: we all got told that. Did that just not land 248 00:11:30,514 --> 00:11:30,754 Speaker 1: for you? 249 00:11:31,474 --> 00:11:36,954 Speaker 4: Yeah? It really didn't. Yeah, I don't know. I didn't. 250 00:11:37,714 --> 00:11:40,674 Speaker 3: I was very rebellious when I was a teenager, and 251 00:11:40,754 --> 00:11:44,314 Speaker 3: I did think I was invincible. You never think something 252 00:11:44,354 --> 00:11:46,114 Speaker 3: like that is going to happen to you, Like you 253 00:11:46,194 --> 00:11:48,114 Speaker 3: see things happen to other people and you're like, oh, 254 00:11:48,194 --> 00:11:49,034 Speaker 3: wouldn't happen to me. 255 00:11:49,074 --> 00:11:50,474 Speaker 4: And I was very much like that. 256 00:11:50,834 --> 00:11:52,754 Speaker 3: And I feel like maybe that was something I had 257 00:11:52,794 --> 00:11:54,874 Speaker 3: to go through to learn. 258 00:11:54,954 --> 00:11:58,434 Speaker 1: Yeah, maybe public health safety messages were not high priority 259 00:11:58,954 --> 00:12:04,114 Speaker 1: for younger Tammy. Do you feel like, and this is 260 00:12:04,154 --> 00:12:06,914 Speaker 1: something that I often think about with anyone who's in 261 00:12:06,914 --> 00:12:09,314 Speaker 1: the public eye, whether that's you know, someone who's sporting, 262 00:12:09,314 --> 00:12:13,074 Speaker 1: political whatever, it might be you are effectively a role 263 00:12:13,114 --> 00:12:16,034 Speaker 1: model now, whether you want to be or not. Do 264 00:12:16,074 --> 00:12:18,514 Speaker 1: you think now we've talked about the fact that public 265 00:12:18,594 --> 00:12:22,154 Speaker 1: health services messaging did not hit home for you, do 266 00:12:22,194 --> 00:12:24,674 Speaker 1: you think that now people like yourself, who are in 267 00:12:24,754 --> 00:12:26,874 Speaker 1: a position where you do have a following and where 268 00:12:26,874 --> 00:12:29,953 Speaker 1: you can reach people, do you feel a responsibility to 269 00:12:30,074 --> 00:12:32,914 Speaker 1: now pass on some of those public health messages, in 270 00:12:32,954 --> 00:12:35,434 Speaker 1: your instance, being so safe and maybe that will hit 271 00:12:35,474 --> 00:12:37,874 Speaker 1: home a little bit more for younger people than say 272 00:12:37,954 --> 00:12:40,594 Speaker 1: the slip slop, slap seek and slide message does. 273 00:12:41,194 --> 00:12:43,954 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I think like even for me, if the 274 00:12:44,034 --> 00:12:46,834 Speaker 3: same social media and stuff was around back then, maybe 275 00:12:46,874 --> 00:12:50,194 Speaker 3: that would have affected me differently. I like listening to 276 00:12:50,674 --> 00:12:53,314 Speaker 3: people in the public eye that maybe you follow and 277 00:12:53,354 --> 00:12:56,114 Speaker 3: you admire and things like that can definitely have more 278 00:12:56,474 --> 00:12:58,114 Speaker 3: more likely to listen to. 279 00:12:58,274 --> 00:13:00,634 Speaker 4: Hopefully, so I hope in that way I can. 280 00:13:00,514 --> 00:13:04,834 Speaker 3: Have a positive impact and some of my younger audience 281 00:13:04,874 --> 00:13:05,554 Speaker 3: will listen to me. 282 00:13:10,794 --> 00:13:13,314 Speaker 1: Okay, So how does a Gold Coast girly reinvent herself 283 00:13:13,354 --> 00:13:15,954 Speaker 1: after this? Because you are a sun worship bar, you 284 00:13:15,994 --> 00:13:19,394 Speaker 1: love going to the beach, how do you then reassess 285 00:13:19,434 --> 00:13:22,354 Speaker 1: your life habits in the aftermath of that, because you know, 286 00:13:22,474 --> 00:13:24,074 Speaker 1: it's a big wake up for right. 287 00:13:25,034 --> 00:13:28,474 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I still love the beach. I still go 288 00:13:28,514 --> 00:13:32,634 Speaker 3: to the beach all the time. I obviously use SPF now, 289 00:13:32,994 --> 00:13:36,674 Speaker 3: and I've always been strict on putting sunscreen on my kids. 290 00:13:36,674 --> 00:13:38,954 Speaker 3: But even when like Wolf and SaaS were younger, like 291 00:13:39,074 --> 00:13:42,034 Speaker 3: nine years ago, I still never put sunscreen on myself 292 00:13:42,034 --> 00:13:42,634 Speaker 3: at that time. 293 00:13:43,194 --> 00:13:45,194 Speaker 4: Always put it on them all the time, and I 294 00:13:45,274 --> 00:13:45,754 Speaker 4: just didn't. 295 00:13:45,954 --> 00:13:48,634 Speaker 1: I don't know, is that part of that feeling immune 296 00:13:48,634 --> 00:13:50,234 Speaker 1: to it still? 297 00:13:51,154 --> 00:13:55,554 Speaker 3: And so now we definitely all wear sunscreen, and we'll 298 00:13:55,554 --> 00:13:57,714 Speaker 3: go to the beach in the morning or the afternoon 299 00:13:57,754 --> 00:14:01,594 Speaker 3: where the sun's like not as strong. But yeah, it's 300 00:14:01,634 --> 00:14:05,474 Speaker 3: definitely made me rethink things and I definitely don't go 301 00:14:05,594 --> 00:14:07,594 Speaker 3: like lay in the sun for hours now like I 302 00:14:07,714 --> 00:14:09,714 Speaker 3: used to just to get a tan. I spray tan 303 00:14:09,874 --> 00:14:12,274 Speaker 3: all the time now, But I used to just go 304 00:14:12,474 --> 00:14:14,714 Speaker 3: to the beach just to tan, Like now I go 305 00:14:14,754 --> 00:14:16,634 Speaker 3: because I want to play with my kids on the sand, 306 00:14:16,674 --> 00:14:17,714 Speaker 3: I want to go for a swim. 307 00:14:18,114 --> 00:14:20,794 Speaker 4: I'm definitely not going to the beach to like tan. 308 00:14:21,354 --> 00:14:23,954 Speaker 1: What does the after care look like after you've had 309 00:14:23,994 --> 00:14:26,194 Speaker 1: a melanoma removed? Like I imagine you have to go 310 00:14:26,234 --> 00:14:28,834 Speaker 1: to appointments pretty more frequently than once a year after that. 311 00:14:29,554 --> 00:14:34,154 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I just graduated to every six months right now. 312 00:14:34,274 --> 00:14:37,434 Speaker 3: But I was going every three months, which felt like 313 00:14:37,514 --> 00:14:40,434 Speaker 3: I basically lived at my doctor's office. I tell like 314 00:14:40,474 --> 00:14:42,914 Speaker 3: I was there all the time, because you know, like 315 00:14:43,114 --> 00:14:45,794 Speaker 3: three months flies by, especially because I'm so busy all 316 00:14:45,834 --> 00:14:50,154 Speaker 3: the time. Yeah, I was going there so often. Felt weird, 317 00:14:50,474 --> 00:14:52,794 Speaker 3: just because I'm obviously at a higher risk. 318 00:14:52,874 --> 00:14:57,274 Speaker 4: Now. Yeah, it's just such a strange shift that I. 319 00:14:57,234 --> 00:15:00,674 Speaker 3: Went from canceling this appointment five times, so now I'm 320 00:15:00,794 --> 00:15:01,874 Speaker 3: there like all the time. 321 00:15:02,074 --> 00:15:03,874 Speaker 1: I guess you don't cancel these ones anymore. 322 00:15:03,914 --> 00:15:07,354 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, I definitely don't. I make sure I to 323 00:15:07,394 --> 00:15:08,394 Speaker 3: every single one now. 324 00:15:08,834 --> 00:15:10,874 Speaker 1: In between those visits, Like I said, someone in your 325 00:15:10,874 --> 00:15:12,874 Speaker 1: life that will check for you, like in spaces that 326 00:15:12,914 --> 00:15:14,674 Speaker 1: you can't see, Like, do you have someone look at 327 00:15:14,674 --> 00:15:16,434 Speaker 1: your back and just let you know in case there's 328 00:15:16,434 --> 00:15:18,114 Speaker 1: something you have to go a little bit quicker for 329 00:15:18,274 --> 00:15:20,394 Speaker 1: or do you wait for those doctor's appointments to check in. 330 00:15:20,994 --> 00:15:24,674 Speaker 3: I look at myself if I see anything suspicious. 331 00:15:24,194 --> 00:15:26,314 Speaker 4: I usually have an appointment like around the corner. So 332 00:15:26,394 --> 00:15:27,994 Speaker 4: then when I go in I'll be like, is this 333 00:15:27,994 --> 00:15:28,874 Speaker 4: one okay? 334 00:15:28,914 --> 00:15:31,314 Speaker 3: And every single time I've been like, I've been pretty 335 00:15:31,314 --> 00:15:33,754 Speaker 3: paranoid about so many little freckles now and he's like, no, 336 00:15:33,834 --> 00:15:36,354 Speaker 3: that's fine, it's fine. So it's just so strange that 337 00:15:36,474 --> 00:15:40,634 Speaker 3: I have no idea like which ones could be something. So, yeah, 338 00:15:40,714 --> 00:15:42,714 Speaker 3: those appointments are really important. 339 00:15:43,114 --> 00:15:45,954 Speaker 1: So now you no longer feel immune. Now you are 340 00:15:45,954 --> 00:15:48,274 Speaker 1: following the steps and making sure that you are safe, 341 00:15:48,314 --> 00:15:51,354 Speaker 1: and you've always protected your kids from the sun. But 342 00:15:51,994 --> 00:15:54,754 Speaker 1: I don't know if you've seen there's been some TikTok 343 00:15:54,794 --> 00:15:58,634 Speaker 1: trends of late of young women in particular who are tanning, 344 00:15:58,874 --> 00:16:01,474 Speaker 1: like hardcore tanning so that they get tan lines and 345 00:16:01,514 --> 00:16:03,514 Speaker 1: then they show off those ten lines like it's something 346 00:16:03,554 --> 00:16:05,754 Speaker 1: to be proud of. How does that make you feel 347 00:16:05,754 --> 00:16:06,314 Speaker 1: when you see that? 348 00:16:07,194 --> 00:16:09,914 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's sad because I feel like that was me 349 00:16:10,234 --> 00:16:12,474 Speaker 3: like when I was younger, and I've seen so many 350 00:16:12,514 --> 00:16:15,354 Speaker 3: of these, like the tan line trends and things like that, 351 00:16:15,394 --> 00:16:18,114 Speaker 3: and I'm like, I was twenty eight when I got 352 00:16:18,394 --> 00:16:22,114 Speaker 3: my melanoma, so I was young still, like I just 353 00:16:22,194 --> 00:16:23,994 Speaker 3: never expected it, and I'm like, it's going to catch 354 00:16:24,074 --> 00:16:26,034 Speaker 3: up with you. And a lot of these young women 355 00:16:26,114 --> 00:16:29,514 Speaker 3: think they're invincible like I did, and it's just that's 356 00:16:29,514 --> 00:16:33,274 Speaker 3: not how it is. And unfortunately someone won't catch it, 357 00:16:33,394 --> 00:16:37,154 Speaker 3: they won't find it in their appointments, and they'll you know, 358 00:16:37,274 --> 00:16:39,794 Speaker 3: miss it, and then it can end up really tragically. 359 00:16:40,194 --> 00:16:44,194 Speaker 1: Do you reckon, just quietly before you got a melanoma 360 00:16:44,194 --> 00:16:46,594 Speaker 1: that you would have maybe participated in that trend had 361 00:16:46,634 --> 00:16:47,994 Speaker 1: it been like big when you were young. 362 00:16:48,394 --> 00:16:51,314 Speaker 3: It's hard to say because obviously I didn't have TikTok 363 00:16:51,354 --> 00:16:54,994 Speaker 3: and stuff when I was that younger age, so I 364 00:16:54,994 --> 00:16:55,674 Speaker 3: don't really know. 365 00:16:56,474 --> 00:16:59,914 Speaker 4: I don't think so. But then, yeah, I don't know, 366 00:17:00,034 --> 00:17:00,594 Speaker 4: to be honest. 367 00:17:00,754 --> 00:17:02,874 Speaker 1: Yeah, maybe we don't know what young us would actually 368 00:17:02,914 --> 00:17:04,594 Speaker 1: have been into at the time, especially when we're a 369 00:17:04,634 --> 00:17:05,514 Speaker 1: bit young and stupid. 370 00:17:05,634 --> 00:17:08,034 Speaker 4: We might have done those things probably. 371 00:17:08,474 --> 00:17:12,314 Speaker 1: Yeah. What about when you see like Chloe Kardashian famously 372 00:17:12,354 --> 00:17:14,994 Speaker 1: had a Melanie mckayd out of her face and we 373 00:17:15,034 --> 00:17:18,394 Speaker 1: saw that process on the Kardashians as well as it, Like, 374 00:17:18,434 --> 00:17:20,194 Speaker 1: do you feel a bit like a kindred spirit when 375 00:17:20,194 --> 00:17:21,914 Speaker 1: you see other people going through that kind of thing 376 00:17:21,914 --> 00:17:22,274 Speaker 1: now too? 377 00:17:22,874 --> 00:17:25,194 Speaker 3: Yeah, Well, it just shows you how like it's much 378 00:17:25,234 --> 00:17:28,154 Speaker 3: more common than you think. I don't know what made 379 00:17:28,194 --> 00:17:31,194 Speaker 3: me think I was like so invincible before, because it's 380 00:17:31,194 --> 00:17:35,154 Speaker 3: such an actual common thing. And yeah, it's nice to 381 00:17:35,194 --> 00:17:38,194 Speaker 3: see things like that being shared in the public so 382 00:17:38,354 --> 00:17:40,954 Speaker 3: other younger girls can see it, younger people can see it. 383 00:17:41,314 --> 00:17:44,954 Speaker 1: How did you explain or did you even try and 384 00:17:44,994 --> 00:17:48,074 Speaker 1: explain it to the kids, because obviously you're already being 385 00:17:48,114 --> 00:17:50,194 Speaker 1: as soun safe as possible with them, but like, do 386 00:17:50,234 --> 00:17:52,914 Speaker 1: you explain what happened to you and give them an 387 00:17:52,954 --> 00:17:55,154 Speaker 1: idea of you know, the potential damage the sun can 388 00:17:55,154 --> 00:17:55,794 Speaker 1: do to their skin? 389 00:17:56,394 --> 00:17:56,794 Speaker 4: Yeah? 390 00:17:56,834 --> 00:17:59,874 Speaker 3: Absolutely, I had a talk with them about it and 391 00:17:59,914 --> 00:18:04,274 Speaker 3: explain how serious it is, like hopefully trying to make 392 00:18:04,314 --> 00:18:06,714 Speaker 3: them not make the same mistakes that I did when 393 00:18:06,754 --> 00:18:09,314 Speaker 3: I was a teenager and stuff when they're going out 394 00:18:09,314 --> 00:18:11,154 Speaker 3: with their friends in the sun and things like that. 395 00:18:11,194 --> 00:18:12,994 Speaker 3: I hope they make better chances than I did, so 396 00:18:13,034 --> 00:18:15,954 Speaker 3: I totinitally try to explain like how serious it is. 397 00:18:16,594 --> 00:18:20,034 Speaker 1: What message would you have for people now after learning 398 00:18:20,114 --> 00:18:23,033 Speaker 1: what you've learned and going through their phase where you 399 00:18:23,074 --> 00:18:24,634 Speaker 1: did think it would never happen to me and that 400 00:18:24,794 --> 00:18:27,313 Speaker 1: I'm basically immune to all of this, Like, what message 401 00:18:27,354 --> 00:18:29,154 Speaker 1: do you have to people who might be going out 402 00:18:29,314 --> 00:18:31,353 Speaker 1: on the beach today, on this beautiful day that we're 403 00:18:31,394 --> 00:18:33,474 Speaker 1: currently sitting in to lay on the beach and get 404 00:18:33,474 --> 00:18:33,914 Speaker 1: a tan. 405 00:18:34,354 --> 00:18:38,954 Speaker 3: I would say, enjoy the beach, but be smart about it. 406 00:18:39,074 --> 00:18:40,073 Speaker 4: Protect your skin. 407 00:18:40,674 --> 00:18:42,994 Speaker 3: We have amazing like spray tnds and things now, like 408 00:18:43,034 --> 00:18:44,914 Speaker 3: if you really want to be tan that bad, get 409 00:18:44,914 --> 00:18:48,273 Speaker 3: a spray tnd. Yeah, just be smart about your skin. 410 00:18:48,594 --> 00:18:50,914 Speaker 1: So what can we see coming our way from you 411 00:18:50,994 --> 00:18:52,834 Speaker 1: for the rest of twenty twenty five and maybe even 412 00:18:52,834 --> 00:18:54,714 Speaker 1: into twenty twenty six. It's not that far away. 413 00:18:55,434 --> 00:18:59,194 Speaker 3: I have a lot of really exciting things coming up, actually, 414 00:18:59,474 --> 00:19:01,874 Speaker 3: some things that are very out of my comfort zone, 415 00:19:01,914 --> 00:19:05,434 Speaker 3: some things that I've never done before, but people have 416 00:19:05,514 --> 00:19:09,434 Speaker 3: to stay tuned for that. Also, just working on my 417 00:19:10,194 --> 00:19:14,634 Speaker 3: supplement brands, selfish with my sisters, some really exciting things 418 00:19:14,674 --> 00:19:19,033 Speaker 3: happening there, and yeah, just keep them busy, keep them busy. 419 00:19:19,114 --> 00:19:22,074 Speaker 1: On the Gold Coast in the Sunsrine, Well, thank you 420 00:19:22,594 --> 00:19:25,394 Speaker 1: so much for sharing all of this with us today. 421 00:19:25,834 --> 00:19:27,914 Speaker 1: We know that young people really look up to you, 422 00:19:27,954 --> 00:19:30,394 Speaker 1: and it would be really great if they can learn 423 00:19:30,554 --> 00:19:33,834 Speaker 1: from someone that they know and respect that dancing with 424 00:19:33,874 --> 00:19:37,114 Speaker 1: the sun sometimes can have some pretty treacherous results. 425 00:19:36,794 --> 00:19:40,033 Speaker 3: Right I'm almost glad that it happened to me so 426 00:19:40,114 --> 00:19:43,514 Speaker 3: I can influence some young women about it. 427 00:19:43,714 --> 00:19:46,994 Speaker 1: I think this is really going to help people maybe 428 00:19:47,154 --> 00:19:50,194 Speaker 1: rethink some serious choices that they're making out in the sun. 429 00:19:50,274 --> 00:19:52,434 Speaker 1: So Tammy, thank you so much for joining us. Really 430 00:19:52,434 --> 00:19:53,154 Speaker 1: appreciate it. 431 00:19:53,194 --> 00:19:55,354 Speaker 4: Thanks for having me, Thanks. 432 00:19:55,114 --> 00:19:57,634 Speaker 1: For joining us today, for this very powerful lesson that 433 00:19:57,674 --> 00:20:00,914 Speaker 1: we are not invincible, and a little reminder of that 434 00:20:00,954 --> 00:20:04,034 Speaker 1: government advice we've heard all our lives, but like teenage 435 00:20:04,074 --> 00:20:07,714 Speaker 1: Tammy maybe didn't take seriously that message. Of course, your 436 00:20:07,794 --> 00:20:11,354 Speaker 1: slip slop, slap, seek and slide, slip on a shirt, 437 00:20:11,474 --> 00:20:14,274 Speaker 1: slop on s onscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade 438 00:20:14,314 --> 00:20:18,073 Speaker 1: and slide on Sunny's take this as a crucial reminder. 439 00:20:18,154 --> 00:20:20,154 Speaker 1: Book in these skin checks with your doctor and again 440 00:20:20,234 --> 00:20:22,994 Speaker 1: remember if you have any worries that we haven't addressed here, 441 00:20:23,074 --> 00:20:25,434 Speaker 1: or even if we have, again check in with your 442 00:20:25,434 --> 00:20:27,474 Speaker 1: own doctor to make sure you're getting the right advice 443 00:20:27,514 --> 00:20:30,634 Speaker 1: for you. Well is produced by me Claire Murphy and 444 00:20:30,634 --> 00:20:33,874 Speaker 1: our senior producer, Sally Best, with audio production by Scott Stronik, 445 00:20:34,034 --> 00:20:37,674 Speaker 1: video production by Julian Rosario, and social production by Ellie Moore. 446 00:20:42,994 --> 00:20:45,513 Speaker 2: We hope you enjoyed Clay's discussion with Tammy and maybe 447 00:20:45,554 --> 00:20:47,554 Speaker 2: also found it a little bit of a wake up 448 00:20:47,594 --> 00:20:50,274 Speaker 2: call and reminder for us all to be smart about 449 00:20:50,274 --> 00:20:52,553 Speaker 2: our skin this summer. If you want to hear more 450 00:20:52,594 --> 00:20:55,434 Speaker 2: about women's health, Well is your full body health check 451 00:20:55,474 --> 00:20:58,273 Speaker 2: and drops every week on a Thursday. Go check it 452 00:20:58,274 --> 00:21:00,273 Speaker 2: out wherever you get your podcasts.