Extraordinary Stories

Professional athlete and nutritionist, Teigan O'Shannassy is a cereal expert and ex-perfectionist with a very full plate - who also has a 90 year old housemate.  In this episode, host Liz Ellis, former netball champion turned busy mum, sits down with the NSW Swifts defender to talk about life at "game on" pace. Balancing elite sport with the mental load of her business, Tossed Together, Teigan discusses the reality of living in a multi-generational household where the biggest daily challenge is often negotiating dinner time with her Nanny. They explore how she manages an overflowing plate while refusing to live by a rigid meal plan, moving instead toward a flexible, soul-nourishing approach to food. You’ll hear practical survival strategies from a professional athlete, from Teigan’s "cereal sommelier" midnight snacks to her reliance on frozen vegetables when the mental load of cooking feels too heavy. Reflecting on her journey through eating disorder recovery, Teigan shares how she moved from viewing food as a source of stress to a tool for connection. It’s an honest look at staying nourished under pressure, featuring everything from the glory of chili honey on eggs to the essential art of the sunset mental reset. Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Feedback: [email protected] Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE. CREDITS: Host: Liz Ellis  Guest: Teigan O’Shannassey Group Executive Producers: Naima Brown & Courtney Ammenhauser Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti Social Producer: Keeley Mercieca Audio Producer: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Liz Ellis sits down with author, athlete, coach and entrepreneur Turia Pitt. Known across Australia as a beacon of fierce resilience, Turia reveals a candid, hilariously unfiltered side of herself as she opens up about the chaotic reality of parenting two young boys while running a business.  She shares how she had to unlearn her hyper-competitive athlete mindset to survive the daily grind, diving into a period of severe burnout that led her to seek therapy and discover the magic of asking herself, "What's going to make this day a little bit easier?"  The conversation also explores her heritage, reflecting on growing up with a Tahitian mother whose home-cooked fish, rice, and lentils were decades ahead of the trend, alongside a raw look back at her Ironman days when toxic societal pressures forced her to under-fuel her body.  From raw-dogging chia seeds to her controversial morning "badass coffee" routine, this chat is a funny, reassuring look at learning to let yourself off the hook. Watch Turia & Liz teach you how to make their (very funny) fave coffees here.  Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Feedback: [email protected] Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE. CREDITS: Host: Liz Ellis  Guest: Turia Pitt Group Executive Producers: Naima Brown & Courtney Ammenhauser Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti Social Producer: Keeley Mercieca Audio Producer: Thom Lion Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Lizzy Hoo has a very full plate.  Host Liz Ellis, former netball champion turned busy mum, sits down with comedy star Lizzy Hoo to talk about life at "game on" pace. Trading a corporate 9-to-5 for the unpredictable chaos of the stage, Lizzy discusses balancing a high-octane career with the everyday messiness of her 40s. They explore how she manages a "full plate" when she's mid-tour, performing late nights and surviving on whatever food she can find on the road. The two dive into the survival strategies of a traveling comic, from Lizzy's "liquid diet" during festival season to her accidental airport yogurt-eating mishaps. Reflecting on her Chinese-Malaysian and Irish heritage, Lizzy shares how her palate has space for both pub food and spicy home cooking. It’s a hilarious look at staying nourished under pressure, featuring everything from gourmet sandwich press hacks to the truth about life on the comedy circuit. Watch Lizzy Hoo teach you how to make her sandwich press potato rostis here. Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here. Feedback: [email protected] Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber. Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos and our exercise app, MOVE. CREDITS: Host: Liz Ellis  Guest: Lizzy Hoo Group Executive Producers: Naima Brown & Courtney Ammenhauser Audio Producer: Thom Lion Video Producer: Marlena Cacciotti Social Producer: Keeley Mercieca Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we have recorded this podcast.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Samantha wants is to understand why her mother wasn’t there for her. All Marie wants is a chance to make things right with her daughter — and to be part of her granddaughter’s life. But after years of distance, hurt, and misunderstanding, can a fractured bond ever truly be repaired? In this session, a mother and daughter confront the truths left unspoken, ask the questions long avoided, and search for a small patch of common ground on which to rebuild their relationship. Listen to the second part of Samantha & Marie's session here Resources (Australia-only) 1800RESPECT: The national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information, and support service. Beyond Blue: For support with anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. Lifeline Australia: For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Motivated Minds: Learn more about host Sarah Bays’ practice. Relationships Australia: A leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families, and communities. The End Bits Want To Be On This Is Why We Fight? Apply here.  Host: Sarah Bays Executive Producer: Naima Brown Studio Engineer: Lu Hill Audio production: Thom Lion and Jacob Round Production support: Leah Porges and Coco Lavigne Follow This Is Why We Fight on Instagram for sneak peeks and more relationship therapy content Explore all Mamamia’s podcasts here.Subscribe to Mamamia: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015, Australian con woman Belle Gibson was living the dream. Her app The Whole Pantry was hugely popular and she was about to launch a book of the same name. With hundreds of thousands of followers online, Belle had become a celebrated wellness influencer who'd overcome terminal cancer and had cured herself with healthy eating and holistic therapies. But it was all a lie. The truth came to light when her friend, Chanelle McAuliffe, noticed gaps in Belle's story. The moment she exposed her deception is now the focus of the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar. Today, Chanelle tells us what the show got right and wrong, the challenges she faced as a whistleblower, and how she feels about Belle and her crimes now, a decade on. Find more episodes of True Crime Conversations here. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia CREDITS Guest: Chanelle McAuliffe Host: Gemma Bath Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round GET IN TOUCH Email us at [email protected] or send us a voice note to give us feedback or suggest a case for the podcast. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review. You can also leave a comment for us on Spotify.  If any of the contents in this episode have caused distress, know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. 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/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.