Belle Gibson fooled not only her hundreds of thousands of followers, but the most prestigious book publishers in Australia, the tech giants of silicon valley and even her family and friends into believing she was something she was not: sick.
If today, her name is synonymous with the weighty infamy of a notorious scam, there was a time before that, when she was celebrated as an inspiration.
On this episode of Extraordinary Stories, we look at the rise of Belle Gibson.
From tall tales in school drama classes to international acclaim and influence, how did Annabelle Natalie Gibson become the pinup girl for the wellness movement?
THE END BITS:
With thanks to Bronwyn McCahon, Doctor Brad McKay and Kylie Willey
RESOURCES WE USED:
The Woman Who Fooled The World by Beau Donnelly and Nick Toscano
Fake Medicine by Brad Mckay
The Girl Who Conned Us All by Clair Weaver https://www.nowtolove.com.au/news/real-life/belle-gibson-the-whole-story-10129
With thanks to Tara Brown from 60 Minutes
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au
Need more lols, info and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here... https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/
CREDITS:
Host: Emma Gillespie
Writers: Emma Gillespie and Holly Wainwright
Producers: Melanie Sauer and Emma Gillespie
Audio Production: Elissa Ratliff and Madeline Joannou
Executive Producer: Holly Wainwright and Elissa Ratliff
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today Charlotte, a nurse living on the Sunshine Coast tells her incredible story of Koa's premature birth when at 27 weeks, her waters broke. Charlotte's story highlights the tireless work of our NICU doctors and midwives, and also the fascinating mindset she adopted to overcome the challenges having a premature baby present.
Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by Australia’s favourite paediatrician, Dr Golly.
If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.
THE END BITS:
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Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram
Diary Of A Birth fans can get off the Dr Golly Sleep and Toddler Toolkit online programs (lifesaver!). Use code MAMAMIA20 here (expires 31/12/25). Not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers).
If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.
Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.
CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Birth Story: Charlotte Fussel
Australia’s Favourite Paediatrician: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Thom Lion
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jules Robinson tells her incredible birth story with Carter. After doing everything ‘right’ in pregnancy, Carter had his own plans and entered the world in an exhausting and dramatic fashion! Jules details how she worked to stay in tune with her own body during a challenging labour and post-partum period, and shares her struggles with pre-eclampsia. Dr Golly explains this condition and what you can do to avoid it.
Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by one of Australia’s favourite paediatricians, Dr Golly.
If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.
THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram
If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.
Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.
CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Monika Radulovic has one of the most dramatic birth stories you can imagine - involving a last-minute breech baby literally hanging out of her and a crazy ambulance dash to hospital. You will not believe how this New Years baby came into the world.
Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by one of Australia’s favourite paediatricians, Dr Golly.
If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.
THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram
If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.
Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.
CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This birth story involves a cervix that just wouldn’t dilate, an epidural that didn’t quite do its job, and a baby delivered with forceps. But it turned out to be an incredibly positive experience for the mum, Diary Of A Birth’s host Ksenija Lukich. Ksenija shares her own touching story of birthing Mimi.
Diary Of A Birth features mums telling their miraculous stories of bringing life into the world, and we have all medical questions and concerns cleared up by one of Australia’s favourite paediatricians, Dr Golly.
If you’d like to share your birth story, we’d love to hear from you at podcast@mamamia.com.au or send us a voice note here.
THE END BITS:
Support independent women's media
Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram
If you’re looking for something else to listen to, check out our hilarious and seriously unhelpful podcast The Baby Bubble hosted by Clare and Jessie Stephens.
Mamamia has a podcast for every stage of parenthood.
Our parenting podcast is This Glorious Mess.
If you’re pregnant, listen to The Delivery Room and Hello Bump.
And if you’re trying or preg-curious, Get Me Pregnant and Before The Bump are for you.
CREDITS:
Host: Ksenija Lukich
Expert: Dr Golly
Executive Producer: Georgie Page
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.